A Boozy Shamrock Shake for St. Patrick’s Day

This year, McDonald’s broke tradition when it released four new chocolaty takes on its classic shamrock shake. Last week, we did McDonald’s one better when we devised a chocolate shamrock shake with alcohol. 

This boozy take on America’s most nonsensical St. Patrick’s Day tradition gets its punch from Fernet-Branca, an herbaceous, somewhat mentholated bitter liqueur from Italy, and white creme de cacao liqueur. It’s pleasant (not-overpowering) candied mint flavor is courtesy of a judicious amount of creme de menthe syrup, which renders the drink the palest of greens. If you want a more dramatic green, feel free to add food coloring.

Fernet-Branca Shamrock Shake

Yield: 1 big shake

Ingredients
3 cups vanilla ice cream
1 1/2 ounces creme de menthe syrup
1 ounce Fernet-Branca
1 ounce creme de cacao liqueur
1/2 cup half and half (or substitute heavy cream or whole milk)
Whipped cream, fresh mint, sprinkles, decorative straw, and a shamrock stirrer, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Add ice cream, creme de menthe syrup, Fernet, creme de cacao, and half and half in a blend. Whirl to a smooth, uniform consistency.
2. Pour into a chilled hurricane glass. Garnish with whipped cream, fresh mint, sprinkles, a decorative straw, and shamrock stirrer.
   

   

Related:

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• Cocktail Recipe: Boozy Cheerwine Float