Shamrock Smoothie (Vanilla & Mint)

Baby spinach gives this smoothie the iconic shamrock green color without artificial dyes. It has a mild flavor, and you will not taste it after it’s blended with vanilla and peppermint! It also adds fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Whole milk is the best liquid to use in this shamrock smoothie. The milk fat will ensure the shake is perfectly creamy.

A frozen banana will sweeten the smoothie, chill it, and add extra creaminess.

Pro-tip:  When you have extra ripe bananas, slice them, lay them on a parchment paper-lined tray, and freeze them for smoothies.

Full-fat vanilla Greek yogurt adds another level of creaminess and vanilla flavor. It’s also a good source of protein. I recommend full-fat for a couple of reasons.

1. It tastes better and has a better mouthfeel. The fat makes it creamy!
2. When manufacturers remove fat, they replace it with something else. Reduced-fat yogurts have extra additives to thicken and stabilize them. They lack the rich and creamy texture that real yogurt should have.

Pure vanilla and peppermint extracts can be found in the spice aisle. The extracts give this smoothie the flavor that will match your craving for a Shamrock Shake. Please measure the extracts! A little goes a long way, especially with the peppermint! If you need a way to use up the peppermint extract, try making scented playdough.

Optional Add-ins

• Crushed Ice or Ice cubes are optional. They will give the smoothie a more frozen consistency but can also water down the flavor. 
• Collagen protein powder can be added for extra protein. A two-tablespoon scoop will add 10 grams of protein to this smoothie. Bringing the total to about 24 grams! I always use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides in my smoothies. It completely dissolves and has no grainy texture. I prefer the unflavored so that it doesn’t change the flavor profile of my smoothies.
• Whipped cream and a cherry on top transform it into an indulgent treat. If your goal is to cure your Shamrock Shake craving, it’s well worth it to top with a dollop of whipped cream. 😊
  

1 smoothie contains about 14 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. It’s a good source of vitamin K, B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium. It contains sugar from the banana and added sugars in the vanilla Greek yogurt. So it is sweet, but not as much as its fast food counterpart.

The sugar makes this hit the spot if you’re craving a shamrock shake! It’s balanced out pretty well with the amount of protein, fat, and fiber.

I used Cabot Creamery Triple Cream Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt to calculate the nutrition information. Nutrition information does not include whipped cream or a cherry. You can add a scoop of collagen protein powder to increase the protein content.

First, add the spinach and milk to the blender and blend until the spinach is smooth. Then, add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy.

Pour into a chilled glass.

It’s ready to enjoy!

If you’re feeling extra indulgent, add whipped cream and a cherry on top!