Mint Milkshake Maraschino Cherry

The kitchen counter was sticky from a summer afternoon of experimenting, and I remember watching the blender swirl up this shockingly bright green concoction. My little cousin stared at it with wide eyes like Id just mixed up a magic potion, and honestly, the color was so vibrant it felt like something out of a cartoon. We ended up fighting over who got the extra cherry on top.

I made these for a block party last summer and set up a little topping station, which turned out to be both the best and worst idea. The kids went absolutely feral over the whipped cream dispenser, and I found green sprinkles in my kitchen for weeks afterward, but watching their reactions made the mess completely worth it.

Ingredients

• Vanilla ice cream: The base creaminess that balances out the mint intensity, so grab a good quality brand
• Whole milk: Helps everything blend smoothly without turning into ice cream soup
• Pure mint extract: A little goes a long way, so start with half a teaspoon and taste as you go
• Sugar: Optional depending on how sweet your ice cream already is
• Green food coloring: Totally optional but makes that classic mint shake look
• Whipped cream: The cloud like crown that makes it feel like a real treat
• Maraschino cherries: That pop of red on top and sweet finish

Instructions

Blend the base:

Toss the ice cream, milk, mint extract, and any sugar or food coloring into your blender and blitz until everything is completely smooth with no ice chunks remaining.

Taste and tweak:

Give it quick taste test and add more mint or sugar if needed, remembering that the flavor will mellow slightly as it sits.

Pour and crown:

Pour into glasses that have been chilling in the freezer, then pile on whipped cream and top each one with a cherry before anyone can grab a spoon.

Pin it

These became my go to when friends came over after movies, something about that minty coolness just feels like celebration in a glass. Theres a photo somewhere of me at age seven with a milkshake mustache and that same bright green smile, proving some traditions stick around for good reason.

Make It Your Own

Ive discovered that swapping in chocolate ice cream creates this amazing mint chocolate situation that feels way more indulgent. Sometimes I crumble in some thin mint cookies right at the end for texture, or add a splash of chocolate syrup on top of the whipped cream.

Getting The Texture Right

The difference between a good milkshake and a great one comes down to blending time and temperature. Too long and it melts into flavored milk, too short and youre chewing ice crystals, so aim for that sweet spot where it thickens slightly but still pours.

Serving Ideas

These work beautifully alongside birthday cake or as a standalone dessert. I like to keep the glasses in the freezer for at least 20 minutes beforehand so the shake stays cold longer.

• Set up a toppings bar with sprinkles, crushed cookies, or extra cherries
• Use tall sundae glasses to make them feel extra fancy
• Stick a straw through the cherry stem for that classic diner look

Pin it

Theres something undeniably joyful about drinking something that bright, like happiness in a glass.

Recipe FAQs

→ How can I enhance the mint flavor?

Add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of mint extract or use peppermint extract carefully to intensify the mint profile.

→ Can I substitute vanilla ice cream with another flavor?

Yes, swapping vanilla for chocolate ice cream creates a delightful mint-chocolate variation.

→ Is there a way to make this dairy-free?

Use plant-based ice cream and milk alternatives to create a vegan-friendly version without altering flavor.

→ What is the purpose of green food coloring?

Green food coloring enhances the milkshake’s vibrant mint color but is optional and does not affect taste.

→ How can sweetness be adjusted?

The amount of sugar can be modified to personal preference or omitted for natural sweetness from ice cream.