The Best Grimace Shake Recipe (McDonald’s Copycat)

Enjoy keeping up with TikTok trends, or are you feeling something sweet and fruity?

Either way, the Grimace Shake recipe is just what you need. 

McDonald’s released the Grimace Shake in June 2023. The shake celebrates the birthday of the iconic purple character of the same name. 

Because McDonald’s released it in the middle of the TikTok boom, it quickly became famous. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to run to McDonald’s to try it for yourself. 

You can make the shake at home with this simple Grimace Shake recipe. 

Grimace Shake Recipe 

McDonald’s is great at releasing new items just long enough to get people hooked. Then, they discontinue them, leaving us wanting more. 

(I still get bitter every time the Shamrock Shake goes off the menu.) 

The Grimace Shake is the perfect example of this trend. McDonald’s released the shake in June 2023. And it was off the menu by July 2023. 

ARGH.

But never fear! I have a simple, five-ingredient Grimace Shake recipe that tastes just as good. And you can get it year-round. 

It’s creamy, fruity, berry-licious, and just plain fun. And yes, it features the shake’s signature purple hue. 

Luckily, it’s easy to make. And there is no fancy ice cream maker required. 

If you have a blender, you can whip it up in just a few minutes. Don’t forget the luscious whipped cream and birthday party sprinkles on top! 

What Is a Grimace Shake? 

The Grimace Shake was a special-edition milkshake. 

McDonald’s released it in honor of Grimace’s birthday. (Grimace is the fuzzy, purple McDonald’s character.) 

According to McDonald’s, the shake includes the following ingredients: 

• Vanilla ice cream
• Milk
• Grimace syrup
• Whipped cream and sprinkles (for the topping)

No one is 100% sure what precisely is in the “Grimace syrup.” But we know it is supposed to be berry-flavored. 

So, we’ve come up with a pretty close approximation. 

What Does a Grimace Shake Taste Like? 

The Grimace Shake’s flavor varies depending on who you ask. To me, it tastes of berries – bright, fruity, and just a little tangy. 

It’s not overly sweet and not too artificial.

However, some TikTokkers swear it tastes like a plain vanilla shake. 

Others compare it to Fruity Pebbles cereal or fair favorite cotton candy. 

Ingredients 

Without Grimace syrup, replicating McDonald’s shake exactly is pretty much impossible. But we can get quite close! 

This is what I put in mine: 

• Vanilla ice cream- Three scoops of creamy vanilla are the base for this shake. 
• Berries- I use a ratio of 1 cup of frozen blueberries to 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries. That seems to copy the flavor of whatever McDonald’s puts in its Grimace syrup well. 
• Milk- I use whole milk for the extra flavor and creaminess. But you can use whatever you have on hand. 
• Blue spirulina- Blue spirulina is tasteless algae that will give the shake its rich purple color.
  • You can also use Ube extract or butterfly pea powder.But those may affect the taste somewhat. 
• Toppings- Whipped cream and sprinkles are all you need! 

How to Make a Grimace Shake 

1. Prepare. Get out your blender and rinse it out if necessary. Also, set out the vanilla ice cream and let it soften for a few minutes. 

2. Blend. Add every ingredient (except the toppings) to the blender. Blend them until the fruit breaks down and everything is well-incorporated. 

3. Serve. Transfer the milkshake to a glass (or two smaller glasses) and add the toppings. Stick in a fun straw, and enjoy! 

Tips for the Best Milkshake 

Here are a few final tips to keep in mind when making the perfect Grimace Shake: 

• Keep it calorie-conscious. Use low-fat (or fat-free) ice cream for the base. Then, add skim milk and leave off the whipped cream.
  •  You can also substitute low-carb options if you’re on the ketogenic diet.
• Set the ice cream out beforehand and blend. People love McDonald’s ice cream for its soft and creamy texture.
  • Do that at home by setting out the ice cream and letting it get soft. Then, blend thoroughly, even if it takes a little longer. 
• Adjust the consistency. For too-thin milkshakes, add extra ice cream. For too-thick milkshakes, thin them with more milk. 
• Freeze leftovers. Leftovers will last for up to 2 weeks in the freezer. Just be sure to put them in an airtight container first. 

Topping Ideas 

Whipped cream and sprinkles too basic for you? 

Try some of these other toppings instead: 

• Fresh fruit and/or berries
• Broken bits of cookies, graham crackers, pretzels, etc. 
• Nuts
• Coconut flakes
• Chocolate shavings, sprinkles, etc. 
• Syrups (chocolate, caramel, strawberry, etc.)
• Fruity Pebbles cereal

The Best Grimace Shake Recipe (McDonald’s Copycat)

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Calories

298

kcal

McDonald’s only carried the Grimace shake for a limited time. But you can make this Grimace shake recipe at home! It’s fruity, tasty, and fun for the family.

Ingredients

• 3 3 scoops vanilla ice cream

• 1 cup 1 frozen blueberries

• 1/2 cup 1/2 fresh raspberries, washed

• 1/2 cup 1/2 milk

• 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 blue spirulina

• whipped cream (optional garnish)

• sprinkles (optional garnish)

Instructions

• Remove the ice cream from the freezer and allow it to soften for a few minutes.
• Add all ingredients (besides the optional garnishes) to a blender. Blend thoroughly until the fruit is completely broken down.
• Transfer the milkshake to a serving glass and top with whipped cream and sprinkles. (If desired.) Add a festive straw, and enjoy!

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