Everyone’s Irish this time of year, and that means its green fever everywhere. The food, the drinks, the clothes all go green in honor of our National Holiday. Even our largest fast food chain, McDonalds loves to get in on the frenzy with their annual Shamrock Shake. It’s bright green, it’s minty, and it’s delicious. But, let’s admit it, McDonalds is bad for you, and going there is likely to lead to more trips down the road even when it isn’t St Patricks Day, and next thing you know you’re a regular ordering the same value meal every day and they know you by name.

So, to make your life better I offer you this alternative: Make it yourself at home and have some fun with it. No longer will you be tempted by those “Back for a limited time only” billboards that seem to follow you. And the best part about making it at home, you can add anything you want to it, like maybe, oh I don’t know, some alcohol? I know I’m not the first person to ever have a milkshake or frozen drink at McDonalds or one of those other Fast Food chains and think: This would be awesome with liquor in it. Imagine ordering a #1, no ketchup, add extra onions, and sub the soda for a shamrock shake, add whiskey…

But that won’t be happening soon. So we decided to spike our own shamrock shake at home.

Adult Shamrock Shake: (Makes Two Servings)

• 6 cups vanilla ice cream
• 4 ounces creme de menthe liqueur
• 3 ounces vodka
• 3 ounces Irish cream liqueur
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Maraschino cherries and sweetened whipped cream for garnish

Combine your ice cream, Creme de Menthe, irish cream, vodka, and vanilla extract together until evenly mixed. try to avoid too much blending, as to replicate the “triple thick” milkshakes of Mcdonalds. Then just divide between two milkshake glasses. Top with whipped cream and cherry for garnish (optional).