Copycat McDonald’s Grimace Shake Recipe (5 Minutes, 3 Ingredients)
I will admit that I have been completely entertained by the Grimace Shake content on the internet. When McDonald’s dropped the Grimace Birthday Meal, the internet went absolutely chaotic in the best possible way — and of course I had to make my own version at home. I tested it, my kids taste-tested it approximately seven times, and we landed on a recipe that comes together in five minutes with three ingredients you probably already have.
Here’s what I love about this recipe: the frozen blueberries do all the work. They give the shake that deep purple color AND the berry flavor at the same time, so you’re not dealing with artificial coloring or complicated flavor combinations. If you want to go deeper purple, two drops of purple food coloring will get you there. Otherwise you’re already done before you’ve even finished reading this sentence.
This is the perfect birthday party shake, the perfect “we have nothing to do on a Sunday” shake, and the perfect “my kid just discovered Grimace on YouTube and now we have to make this” shake. Let’s go.
What ingredients do you need for Grimace’s Shake?
Grimace Shake Ingredients
vanilla ice cream
milk
frozen blueberries
purple food coloring (if needed for coloring)
Whipped topping for garnish
Sprinkles for garnish (optional)
How do you make this this fun new shake? Step By Step Instructions:
Step One: Allow the vanilla ice cream to set out for a few minutes to allow for easier scooping.
Step two: In the blender add in the vanilla ice cream, blueberries and milk. Blend until fully mixed.
Step Three: The blueberries give the shake the berry flavoring for the shake and the coloring, however if you want you shake a little deeper purple simply add in 2 drops of purple food coloring.
Step Four: Pour into a glass and top with whipped topping and sprinkles.
Enjoy!
Allow the vanilla ice cream to set out for a few minutes to allow for easier scooping.
In the blender add in the vanilla ice cream, blueberries and milk. Blend until fully mixed.
The blueberries give the shake the berry flavoring for the shake and the coloring, however if you want you shake a little deeper purple simply add in 2 drops of purple food coloring.
Pour into a glass and top with whipped topping and sprinkles.
Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
Make sure to blend your shake until it has the soft serve texture we all love. It’s essential for achieving that nostalgic McDonald’s milkshake feel.
For an extra twist, add some Fruity Pebbles into your shake. It gives an extra pop of color and adds a fun crunch.
Be mindful of your shake’s nutritional content. While it’s a delicious treat, remember it can be high in calories, with significant grams of fat and protein.
Grimace Shake Variations
Dairy-Free Grimace Shake: Swap the vanilla ice cream for coconut milk ice cream or any dairy-free vanilla frozen dessert, and use oat milk or almond milk in place of regular milk. The color and flavor both hold up beautifully.
Extra Purple Version: Add an extra half-cup of frozen blueberries plus 2-3 drops of purple food coloring for the deepest, most dramatic purple you’ve ever seen in a glass. This is the version for birthday photos.
Strawberry Grimace Shake: Swap the blueberries for frozen strawberries and use pink food coloring for a pink twist that hits a slightly different flavor note — fruity and bright. Some people actually prefer this version.
Grimace Birthday Shake for a Party: Double or triple the recipe and blend in batches. Set up a toppings bar with whipped cream, birthday sprinkles, purple sugar, and fresh blueberries and let the kids top their own. It takes about 20 minutes total and looks incredible on a party table.
Thicker Shake Version: Use 4 scoops of ice cream instead of 3 and reduce the milk to ¼ cup. Blend just until combined — don’t overblend or it gets too thin. You should be able to eat this with a spoon, McDonald’s-style.
FAQs
The Grimace Shake is a berry-flavored vanilla shake — specifically blueberry, based on McDonald’s original version and this copycat recipe. It’s creamy from the vanilla ice cream base with a sweet, slightly tart berry flavor running through it. Some people also describe a hint of grape or mixed berry. It’s fruity without being overpowering, and sweet without being cloying.
You can get close. Let the vanilla ice cream soften completely at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes until it’s almost melted. Mash the thawed blueberries thoroughly with a fork. Stir everything together vigorously until combined. The texture won’t be as smooth as a blended version, but it’ll still taste great and turn purple. For a party without a blender, this is a solid workaround.
Yes, but frozen works better for two reasons: frozen blueberries are broken down already so they blend more smoothly into the shake, and they help keep the shake cold during blending. If you use fresh blueberries, your shake may come out slightly thinner and a lighter shade of purple. Add a few ice cubes to compensate.
Two things work well. First, use more blueberries — an extra half-cup deepens the color noticeably. Second, add 2-3 drops of purple or violet gel food coloring after blending and stir to combine. Gel food coloring gives you a more vibrant result than liquid food coloring with fewer drops.
The copycat version — including this recipe — uses blueberries as the base flavor because it’s the closest match to the original’s berry flavor and purple color. McDonald’s never officially confirmed the exact flavor of the original Grimace Shake, which was part of what made the internet so obsessed with it. The general consensus from people who tried the original was that it tasted like vanilla berry — which is exactly what this recipe delivers.
This copycat Grimace Milkshake recipe works because it recreates the essence of Grimace’s iconic color and unique taste. It’s a trip down memory lane and a chance to taste something new at the same time, capturing the intersection of nostalgia and novelty in a delicious, berry-filled delight.
What are some other fun McDonald’s Copycat recipes to try?
If you are looking for more amazing delicious milkshake and floats recipes be sure to check out this comprehensive list –> The Best Milkshake and Floats Recipes
Copycat McDonald's Grimace's Birthday Shake Recipe
Make these super fun viral Grimace Birthday Shakes for a birthday celebration or anytime!
Ingredients
- 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup of milk
- 1 cup of frozen blueberries
- 2 drops purple food coloring (if needed for coloring)
- Whipped topping for garnish
- Sprinkles for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Allow the vanilla ice cream to set out for a few minutes to allow for easier scooping.
- In the blender add in the vanilla ice cream, blueberries and milk. Blend until fully mixed.
- The blueberries give the shake the berry flavoring for the shake and the coloring, however if you want you shake a little deeper purple simply add in 2 drops of purple food coloring.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped topping and sprinkles.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield
1Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 597Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 17gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 97mgSodium 220mgCarbohydrates 76gFiber 6gSugar 65gProtein 12g
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Hi! I’m Nellie. I am an entrepreneur, a busy mama of 3 and a wife to my high school sweetheart. I have been sharing content for over 12 years about how to cook easy recipes, workout tips and free printables that make life a little bit easier. I have been featured in places like Yahoo, Buzzfeed, What To Expect, Mediavine, Niche Pursuits, HuffPost, BabyCenter, Mom 2.0, Mommy Nearest, Parade, Care.com, and more!
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