Pistachio Milkshake Recipe

By
Lee Zalben
Lee Zalben is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Lee Zalben

Lee Zalben, a.k.a. “The Peanut Butter Guy,” is the founder and CEO of Peanut Butter & Co. Author of The Peanut Butter & Co. Cookbook.

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Updated April 15, 2020
A pistachio milkshake with chopped pistachio nuts on top.
Photograph: Peanut Butter & Co.

Much has been written about the Shamrock Shake. Some love it, some hate it, many people can't even find it. But why so much hype over a mint milkshake when there's a green nut just waiting to be turned into a emerald-colored frosty treat?

Mint isn't even part of the Irish tradition at all. It's just an inexpensive way to turn a lot of things green on St. Paddy's. I have nothing against mint; it's a lovely herb and has great flavor. But isn't it time that pistachios got some St. Patrick's Day love?

Pistachios are a festive green with lots of nutty flavor. Pistachio kernels get their color from chlorophyll, the same pigment that makes leaves on trees green. If you want to create a very bright green beverage you may want to add a few drops of green food coloring. You can also use pistachio ice cream if you prefer, but we liked the creamy texture of adding pistachio butter to vanilla ice cream.

Either way, pistachio milkshakes on St. Patrick's day are a nutty and delicious way to get your green on.

Recipe Details

Pistachio Milkshake Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 1 to 2 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 scoops vanilla ice cream or gelato

  • 1/2 cup whole milk

  • 1/4 cup pistachio butter (see notes)

  • 2-3 drops green food coloring (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios

Directions

  1. Combine the ice cream, milk, pistachio butter, and food coloring (if using) in a blender and pulse on high until the mixture is smooth.

  2. Pour into a tall, clear glass. Garnish with chopped pistachios and/or a sprig of mint.

Notes

If you cannot find pistachio butter at the grocery store, you can make your own by combining 1 cup of pistachios, 1 tablespoon of light vegetable oil, and a pinch of sea salt in a food processor and pulsing until smooth.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
404Calories
28gFat
32gCarbs
10gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 to 2
Amount per serving
Calories404
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g35%
Saturated Fat 13g63%
Cholesterol 65mg22%
Sodium 235mg10%
Total Carbohydrate 32g12%
Dietary Fiber 3g10%
Total Sugars 26g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 1mg6%
Calcium 218mg17%
Iron 1mg5%
Potassium 476mg10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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