Copycat McDonald’s Grimace Shake Recipe

6

The McDonald’s Grimace Shake is creamy, berry-flavored goodness and vibrant purple hue instantly became a social media sensation—not to mention a delicious tribute to everyone’s favorite McDonaldland character, Grimace. But what if I told you that you don’t have to wait for its limited-time return to enjoy it again?

How to make McDonald’s Grimace Shake

The Grimace Shake was a limited-edition, purple-colored milkshake offered by McDonald’s in June 2023 to celebrate Grimace’s 52nd birthday—the beloved, fuzzy purple mascot from McDonaldland.

Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream (classic vanilla soft-serve works best for authenticity)
• 1 cup milk (whole milk gives the creamiest texture, but you can swap for your favorite non-dairy option)
• 1/2 cup mixed berries (blueberries, blackberries, or purple-hued berry blends for color and flavor)
• 1 tablespoon berry jam or puree (optional, for extra sweetness)
• Whipped cream (to top it off)
• Purple food coloring (optional, for that signature Grimace look)

Instructions

1. Blend the Base Ingredients: In a blender, combine vanilla ice cream, milk, berries, and berry jam/puree (if using).
2. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk; if it’s too thin, add a bit more ice cream.
3. Add the Signature Purple Color: Use a small amount of purple food coloring to achieve that iconic Grimace purple hue. Add a drop at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition, until you reach your desired shade.
4. Taste Test: Take a quick sip to check sweetness and flavor. Adjust as needed—add more berries for a tart kick or an extra scoop of ice cream for creamy indulgence.
5. Serve and Garnish: Pour your Grimace Shake into a tall glass.
6. Top generously with whipped cream—you want the toppings to look as joyful as Grimace himself!

Tips for the Perfect Grimace Shake

• Experiment with Berry Ratios: If you’re craving a more refreshing or tart flavor, use more blueberries. For a sweeter shake, blackberries and berry puree are great.
• Chill Your Glass: For an authentic fast-food feel, pop your serving glass into the freezer for 10-15 minutes before pouring the shake—it keeps the drink icy cold!
• Skip the Food Coloring?: If you prefer all-natural ingredients, you can achieve a purple hue with fresh or frozen blueberries and blackberries alone.
• Make it Party-Friendly: If you’re hosting a group, create a Grimace Shake station where guests can customize their toppings. Chocolate sprinkles, fruit slices, or fun edible sparkles make for a festive addition.
• Double the Recipe for Sharing: This recipe makes one generous serving, but you can easily double or triple it for more friends to share the franchise-inspired treat!

What to serve with

Fries (Sweet or Savory)

• Golden French Fries: Nothing beats the classic pairing of salty McDonald’s-style fries with a milkshake for the ultimate sweet-and-savory combo. Dip your fries into the shake for the full fast-food experience!
• Sweet Potato Fries: If you’re feeling adventurous, try sweet potato fries for a slightly sweeter, earthy contrast to the McDonald’s Grimace Shake.

Chicken Nuggets

• Crispy chicken nuggets (dipped in honey mustard or BBQ sauce) go hand-in-hand with the creamy Grimace Shake. The crunchy texture balances beautifully with the cool, smooth drink.

Burger or Sandwich

• Cheeseburger: A juicy cheeseburger complements the berry-flavored McDonald’s Grimace Shake, with the savory patty contrasting the sweetness of the drink.
• Veggie Burger: Vegetarians can pair their shake with a plant-based burger for equally satisfying vibes.
• McDonald ’s-Style Hash Browns: Light, crispy hash browns make a great side dish. This breakfast-for-anytime approach is perfect if you’re enjoying your McDonald’s Grimace Shake during brunch hours.

Ingredients Substitutes

With a few simple swaps, you can still enjoy a delicious homemade version without sacrificing the essence of this berry-filled, creamy treat. Below is a detailed list of ingredient substitutes, along with explanations for how they work in your recipe.

1. Vanilla Ice Cream Substitutes

The creamy base of the McDonald’s Grimace Shake comes from vanilla ice cream, but there are plenty of options if you need a substitute.

• Frozen Yogurt: Swap vanilla ice cream for vanilla-flavored frozen yogurt for a tangy yet creamy texture. This option is slightly healthier and still blends beautifully.
• Non-Dairy Ice Cream: Use coconut, almond, or oat-based vanilla ice cream if you need a vegan alternative. These usually have a rich texture similar to traditional ice cream.
• Banana “Nice Cream”: If you’re looking for an ultra-healthy alternative, blend frozen bananas to create a creamy substitute for ice cream. Add a little vanilla extract to mimic the original flavor.

2. Milk Substitutes

Milk is used to achieve the shake’s creamy consistency, but there are plenty of dairy-free or alternative options available.

• Non-Dairy Milk: Options like almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or soy milk work well as replacements. Oat milk is particularly creamy, making it a great choice for milkshakes.
• Cashew Milk: Want something extra rich? Cashew milk has a smooth and creamy texture that mirrors whole milk beautifully.
• Plant-Based Creamer: Use unsweetened coffee creamer (non-dairy kinds like coconut or almond creamer) for an extra velvety texture.

3. Berry Substitutes

The berry mixture gives the Grimace Shake its fruity flavor, but you can make adjustments based on what’s available to you or your personal preferences.

• Frozen Mixed Berries: If fresh berries aren’t in season, frozen berries work just as well. Use pre-packaged mixes of blueberries and blackberries to save time.
• Single Berry Options: You can use only one type of berry, like blueberries or raspberries, for a slightly different flavor profile.
• Berry Syrups or Extracts: If you don’t have fresh or frozen berries, you can use berry syrups or extracts (like blueberry or blackberry extract) to infuse the shake with fruity flavor without needing whole fruit.

4. Berry Jam or Puree Substitutes

Berry jam or puree is used for extra sweetness and depth. If you don’t have it, you can try the following:

• Honey or Maple Syrup: For a natural sweetener that complements the fruity flavors. Use it sparingly, as these are quite sweet.
• Stevia or Agave Nectar: Healthier sweeteners like stevia or agave can be used in place of berry jam, keeping the shake lighter.
• Fruit Preserves: Any berry-based fruit preserve or jelly makes an excellent substitution for jam or puree.

5. Purple Food Coloring Alternatives

Purple food coloring helps achieve the Grimace Shake’s iconic color, but there are natural and dye-free ways to get the same result:

• Blueberries and Blackberries: Blend these berries thoroughly, and their natural juices will create a deep purple hue without needing synthetic food coloring.
• Red Cabbage Extract: For an all-natural option, boil red cabbage and strain the juice to use as a purple colorant. It’s subtle but effective!
• Acai Powder: This superfood powder has a rich purple color, making it a great addition for both aesthetics and added nutrients.

6. Whipped Cream Substitutes

Whipped cream is the shake’s finishing touch, but there are alternatives if you’re looking for different options:

• Coconut Whipped Cream: Use canned coconut cream to make whipped cream. It’s dairy-free and has a slightly tropical twist.
• Aerosol Non-Dairy Whip: Many grocery stores carry ready-made non-dairy whipped toppings made from soy or almond, perfect for quick use.
• Greek Yogurt Swirl: Spoon some vanilla Greek yogurt on top and swirl it around for a tangy, creamy substitute.

Final Thoughts

The McDonald’s Grimace Shake is a versatile sweet, and with these ideas, you can easily create pairings to suit any mood or occasion.

More Drink Recipes:

• High Noon Vodka Iced Tea Recipe
• Dunkin’ Sabrina’s Strawberry Refresher Recipe
• Copycat Nola Nespresso Recipe
• Copycat Starbucks Gummy Shark Drink Recipe
• Homemade Pepsi Lime Zero Recipe