Chick-fil-A’s peppermint shake shows up for exactly two months every year, disappears without warning, and leaves people complaining about it on Reddit until the following November.
It’s one of those seasonal menu items that develops a cult following. Creamy vanilla ice cream blended with crushed peppermint candy and chocolate chips, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. It tastes like Christmas in a cup, and then it’s gone.
The problem: you can only get it during a narrow window. And never on Sundays. And only if your local Chick-fil-A hasn’t already sold out of the peppermint syrup they use.
Here’s the good news: you can make a nearly identical version at home with ingredients from any grocery store. No drive-thru line. No seasonal restrictions. No wondering if they’ve run out.
This copycat recipe tastes remarkably close to the original – maybe even better because you control the thickness and the peppermint-to-chocolate ratio.
Why Make It at Home
The Chick-fil-A version costs around $5-6 for a large shake. This homemade version costs about $3-4 per shake if you’re using decent ice cream, and you probably already have most of the ingredients.
More importantly, you can make it whenever you want. July? Sure. Sunday? Absolutely. 2am craving? Go for it.
You also get to control the consistency. Chick-fil-A shakes are notoriously thick – sometimes too thick to actually drink through a straw without giving yourself a headache. At home, you decide if you want it thick enough to eat with a spoon or thin enough to sip easily.
The peppermint level is also yours to adjust. Some people find the original too minty. Others wish it had more. When you’re making it yourself, you’re in charge.
What You’ll Need
This makes 2 large shakes (about 12-14 oz each).
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream (about 1 pint)
- â…“ cup whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3 candy canes (or about 10 peppermint hard candies), crushed
- 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips
- 1-2 drops red food coloring (optional, for that pink color)
For topping:
- Whipped cream
- Maraschino cherries
- Extra crushed peppermint for garnish
A note on ice cream: Chick-fil-A uses their proprietary “Icedream” which is lower in fat than regular ice cream. If you want to replicate that lighter texture, use a premium ice cream made with whole milk (not heavy cream). Brands like Breyers or Edy’s work well. If you use super-premium ice cream like Häagen-Dazs, your shake will be richer than the original.
The peppermint extract is potent. Start with ¼ teaspoon – you can always add more, but you can’t take it back once it’s in there.
Let’s Make This
Step 1: Crush Your Peppermint
Put your candy canes in a zip-top bag. Squeeze out the air and seal it.
Use a rolling pin, heavy pan, or meat mallet to bash them into small pieces. You want a mix of small chunks and fine dust – not powder, not whole pieces.
Set aside about 1 tablespoon of the crushed peppermint for garnishing the finished shakes. The rest goes in the blender.
Step 2: Load the Blender
Add ingredients in this order: milk first (this helps the blender blades work better), then ice cream, peppermint extract, most of the crushed candy, and both types of chocolate chips.
If you’re using food coloring for that signature pink hue, add 1-2 drops now.
Step 3: Blend
Pulse or blend on medium speed for 10-20 seconds. You want the shake thick and the candies and chocolate finely chopped throughout.
Don’t over-blend. The goal is thick enough to barely pour, not liquid. If your blender is struggling, stop and use a spoon to push everything down toward the blades, then try again. A high-powered blender makes this easier – it’ll chop the candy and chocolate into perfect tiny pieces without you having to fight with it.
Step 4: Check Consistency
The shake should be thick but still moveable. If it’s too thick to pour at all, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and pulse a few times. If it’s too thin, add another small scoop of ice cream and blend briefly.
Give it a tiny taste. Want more peppermint? Add another drop of extract and blend for 5 seconds. Too minty? Add a bit more ice cream to dilute it.
Step 5: Pour and Top
Divide the shake between two tall glasses. It should be thick enough that you need to help it along with a spoon.
Top each with a generous swirl of whipped cream. Sprinkle the reserved crushed peppermint over the whipped cream. Add a cherry on top.
Step 6: Serve Immediately
These are best enjoyed right away while cold and thick. Serve with both a straw and a spoon – you’ll need both.
The candy cane pieces sink to the bottom, so make sure you stir or use your spoon to get them as you drink.
How Close Is It to the Real Thing
Pretty damn close. The texture is nearly identical if you get your ice cream-to-milk ratio right. The flavor is spot-on – that combination of vanilla, peppermint, and chocolate with little crunchy bits throughout.
The main difference: Chick-fil-A’s version uses their Icedream base which is slightly icier and less creamy than regular ice cream. If you want to replicate that exact texture, use a lighter ice cream or soft-serve if you can find it.
The peppermint intensity is also slightly different depending on your extract brand. Some extracts are stronger than others. Start conservative and adjust.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Too thick to blend: Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until it moves freely in the blender.
Too thin: Add more ice cream, half a scoop at a time.
Not enough peppermint flavor: Add extract one drop at a time. Remember, it’s potent – a little goes a long way.
Too much peppermint flavor: Add more ice cream or vanilla extract to balance it out.
Chocolate chips not breaking down: Your blender might not be powerful enough to chop them finely. Either pulse the chocolate chips separately before adding, or use mini chocolate chips which break down easier.
Candy canes not crushing: They might be too fresh and chewy. Put them in the freezer for 15 minutes first – frozen candy canes shatter much easier.
Variations Worth Trying
Extra chocolate: Use ¼ cup total chocolate chips instead of 4 tablespoons. Some people prefer more chocolate chunks.
Dark chocolate only: Skip the white chocolate and use all dark or semisweet chips for a more intense chocolate flavor.
Mint chocolate chip ice cream shortcut: Use mint chocolate chip ice cream instead of vanilla, then skip the peppermint extract and just add crushed candy canes. Faster, though slightly different flavor.
Sugar-free: Use sugar-free ice cream, sugar-free chocolate chips, and sugar-free peppermint candies. The texture will be slightly different but still good.
Boozy version (adults only): Add 1 oz of peppermint schnapps or crème de menthe to each shake. Makes it thinner, so reduce the milk slightly.
Thicker milkshake base: Use less milk (start with ¼ cup instead of ⅓ cup) for an even thicker shake.
Storage Tips
Milkshakes don’t store well. They’re meant to be consumed immediately.
If you absolutely must save some, pour it into a freezer-safe container and freeze. It’ll turn into basically ice cream. Let it soften slightly and re-blend with a splash of milk when you want to drink it again.
But honestly, just make what you’ll drink right away. It takes 5 minutes – there’s no reason to batch prep milkshakes.
Cost Breakdown
Chick-fil-A peppermint shake (large): $5.49
Homemade version (2 shakes):
- Ice cream: $4 (half a pint)
- Milk: $0.25
- Candy canes: $0.50
- Chocolate chips: $0.50
- Peppermint extract: $0.10
- Whipped cream: $0.50
- Cherries: $0.25
Total: $6.10 for TWO shakes = $3.05 per shake
You save about $2.50 per shake. Make these twice a week during the holidays and you’ve saved $40 by Christmas.
More Holiday Recipes to Try
If you love peppermint treats, you need to try this easy peppermint bark recipe with just 5 ingredients – it takes 20 minutes of work and makes perfect holiday gifts that look expensive but cost almost nothing.
For festive cookies that won’t derail your health goals, these healthy gingerbread cookies are made with whole wheat flour and less sugar, or try these iced gingerbread oatmeal cookies with zero refined flour and a sweet vanilla glaze.
Need high-protein holiday breakfast options? These eggnog overnight oats pack 27g of protein and taste like the holidays in a jar, while these high-protein gingerbread pancakes deliver 30g protein per stack for Christmas morning.
For quick holiday snacks, these cranberry oatmeal energy balls take just 20 minutes with 5 ingredients and no baking – perfect for busy December schedules.
Nutrition Facts
Per shake (based on 2 shakes):
- Calories: 700
- Protein: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 110g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 95g
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Sodium: 180mg
Bottom Line
This copycat Chick-fil-A peppermint shake tastes remarkably similar to the real thing – thick, creamy, minty, with those satisfying chocolate and peppermint candy crunch bits throughout.
The main advantage of making it at home isn’t just the cost savings. It’s the convenience of having it available whenever you want it, not just during the narrow window when Chick-fil-A decides to sell it.
Make a batch this weekend. Adjust the thickness and mintiness to your preference. Enjoy it on a Sunday. Or a Tuesday. Or whenever the craving hits.
That’s the beauty of knowing how to make it yourself.