Shamrock Shake 2024. The Shamrock Shake is coming back to McDonald’s soon. It’s a green, minty shake that shows up every year. You can get it starting Monday, Feb. 5, at certain McDonald’s for a little while, but only while they have it. This is earlier than last year when it came back on Feb. 20.
Along with the Shamrock Shake, there’s also something called the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry. It costs around $4, but prices might differ at different places. This special McFlurry has crushed Oreo cookies in it.
Besides, they’re also bringing back some pies that people have missed, like the classic apple pie and a new Strawberry & Crème Pie at some places. And there’s a chance to win free hamburgers for a year from McDonald’s. You don’t have to buy anything to enter, but you must catch the Hamburglar before he steals all the burgers. If you spot his getaway car, the Burgercuda, you can win. You can also enter online at SpotHamburglar.com.
What Is Shamrock Shake?
This special shake at McDonald’s has a minty taste and a green colour. They’ve been selling it for over 50 years, and people get excited about it every year when St. Patrick’s Day is coming! The good news is that you can make it at home with this easy recipe, so you don’t have to wait. It first came out in February 2020 to celebrate 50 years of the Shamrock Shake. The Shamrock Shake itself has been around since 1970. It is made with vanilla ice cream, green minty syrup, and whipped topping. It costs about $3-$4, depending on the size.
If you’re watching your calories, a medium Shamrock Shake has 540 calories. For comparison, a medium vanilla shake has 570 calories, and a chocolate shake has 650 calories. The Oreo Shamrock McFlurry has 560 calories, while a regular Oreo McFlurry has 510 calories.
What Flavor Is Shamrock Shake?
The authentic Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s boasts a light, minty flavour. It’s a blend of vanilla ice cream with a refreshing hint of mint. The shake’s vibrant green colour and subtle mint taste make it a festive choice for the holiday season.
When Did Shamrock Shake Stop?
Usually, they stopped selling the Shamrock Shake around St. Patrick’s Day. You can get one even after the holiday if your local McDonald’s has some around these days.
This year, the Shamrock Shake and the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry are returning. It’s made with blended soft serve, Shamrock Shake syrup, and crushed Oreos.
Double Big Mac at McDonald’s: What’s the Buzz?
People love Subway’s footlong cookies so much that the store needs help keeping up with the demand. Meanwhile, you can still get the Double Big Mac at McDonald’s. It started being available at certain McDonald’s on Jan. 24 for a limited time.
The Double Big Mac is like a regular Big Mac but with double the amount of meat – it has four beef patties instead of two. It also has more Big Mac sauce, pickles, lettuce, and chopped onions. However, it doesn’t have twice the amount of cheese; you get one slice under the lower pair of patties.
If you’re curious about the calories, the Double Big Mac has 780 calories. Meanwhile, according to the McDonald’s online menu, the regular Big Mac has 590 calories.
How Did the Shamrock Shake Become Famous?
The Shamrock Shake was made by Hal Rosen, who owned a McDonald’s in Connecticut in 1967. He created this tasty mint shake to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. People loved it so much that it became available nationwide in 1970.
In 1974, the sales of Shamrock Shakes helped build the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia. This happened when a Philadelphia Eagles player’s daughter was getting treatment for Leukemia. Together with Hal Rosen, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Eagles, they raised money through Shamrock Shake sales to open the first Ronald McDonald House. This house helps families stay close to their sick children during tough times. Now, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) has programs all over the world to support families in need.
In 1980, McDonald’s introduced the “Shamrock Sundae,” a limited-time treat with vanilla soft serve and mint-green Shamrock syrup. 2010, on St. Patrick’s Day, McDonald’s made the “World’s Largest Shamrock Shake” in Chicago to donate $10,000 for a new RMHC house.
In 2012, the Shamrock Shake went nationwide for the first time, giving its devoted fans a reason to celebrate. In 2017, they added chocolate to the shake for a limited time. They even designed a special straw for the perfect sip.
The Shamrock Shake has a special connection with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2019, Philadelphia offered the shake twice. It was once during the regular Shamrock Season and once to mark the beginning of the NFL season in September.
Before the Shamrock Shake was available everywhere, fans created a website to find which restaurants had it. In 2018, McDonald’s made it easier with the McDonald’s Finder App, listing all the places with Shamrock Shakes in the US.
People in the US, Canada, and Ireland love the Shamrock Shake. In 2020, McDonald’s celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Shamrock Shake, making it available nationwide again and introducing a new twist: the OREO Shamrock McFlurry.
Are Shamrock Shakes Seasonal?
The Shamrock Shake is a delightful seasonal treat. It is a mint-flavoured milkshake synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day. Let’s explore its flavour and how you can recreate it at home!
How Do You Make A McDonald’s Shamrock Shake At Home?
Making a Shamrock Shake at home is super easy! You only need four things, and it’s quicker than waiting in the drive-thru at McDonald’s. There’s no need to wait for it to come around once a year!
Why You’ll Like This Recipe:
This McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is perfect if you want a green dessert for St. Patrick’s Day! Even if you’re not a big fan of McDonald’s, you might love this shake. People used to wait for it to show up at McDonald’s each year, but now you make your own, and it’s even better.
What you all need:
Ingredients:
To whip up your own Shamrock Shake, gather these simple ingredients:
- Vanilla Ice Cream: You can use store-bought ice cream or make your own. Let it soften slightly before scooping.
- Whole Milk: Full-fat milk yields the creamiest results, but any variety will work.
- Liquid Green Food Coloring: This gives the shake its iconic green hue. Adjust the amount to achieve your desired colour.
- Mint Extract: For that unmistakable mint flavour, use mint extract (not the same as spearmint or peppermint).
- Vanilla Frosting: Adds sweetness and helps sprinkles adhere to the glass.
- St. Patrick’s Day Festive Sprinkles: Green and gold sprinkles add a touch of whimsy.
- Whipped Cream: Spray it on top or spoon dollops of homemade whipped cream.
- Maraschino Cherries: These bright red cherries provide a pop of colour
How to Make a Shamrock Shake:
- Put all the ingredients in your blender and blend. If you use mint syrup, you won’t need the food colouring.
- Add more milk to make it thinner or more ice cream to make it thicker.
- Top it with whipped cream and green sprinkles for a festive touch.
- You can even add maraschino cherries to make it look pretty, even if you don’t eat them.
- No need to go to McDonald’s for a Shamrock Shake! You can make it at home anytime; it can be St. Patrick’s Day every day!
Instructions:
- Put ice cream, milk, syrup or extract, and food colouring in the blender and blend.
- Add more milk or ice cream to get the thickness you like.
- Adjust the flavouring to your taste.
Tips:
- Use the mint syrup that most people use.
- Usually, people’s milkshakes are thick, so using a 2:1 ice cream-to-milk ratio is better. Change it based on what you like.
Now let’s check what are the nutrition facts of Shamrock Shake:
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 387
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 162mg
- Potassium: 424mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 41g
- Vitamin A: 753IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 307mg
- Iron: 1mg
Recommended Healthier Alternatives To Shamrock Shake
Here are some tasty and healthier alternatives if you want something like the Shamrock Shake:
Homemade Mint Smoothie:
- Blend a frozen banana, a handful of spinach (for the green colour), almond milk, and a few drops of mint extract.
- Add a bit of honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
- This smoothie has vitamins, minerals, and fibre without too much sugar and fat.
Greek Yogurt Mint Parfait:
- Layer Greek yoghurt with fresh mint leaves, sliced kiwi, and a sprinkle of granola.
- Drizzle a bit of honey for extra sweetness.
- Greek yoghurt has protein and probiotics, and mint adds a refreshing taste.
Avocado Mint Shake:
- Blend ripe avocado, fresh mint, coconut milk, and some honey.
- Avocado gives healthy fats and creaminess, while mint keeps it refreshing.
Matcha Green Tea Smoothie:
- Mix matcha green tea powder with unsweetened almond milk, a frozen banana, and a drop of vanilla extract.
- Matcha has antioxidants and a gentle caffeine boost.
Frozen Banana “Ice Cream”:
- Freeze ripe bananas, then blend until creamy.
- Add a touch of mint extract and mix again.
Enjoy this guilt-free, dairy-free treat! Remember, these options give you a mix of tasty flavours and good nutrition. You can change them to suit what you like!
Final Thoughts
The Shamrock Shake is still loved in 2024, making people happy with its minty taste and nostalgic feel. McDonald’s is bringing it back briefly, and fans are excited. They are waiting to enjoy every sip of its creamy deliciousness.
McDonald’s introduces new versions like the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry along with the classic. This makes it even more thrilling for loyal fans. While enjoying the yummy Shamrock Shake, it’s good to think about healthier options like homemade mint smoothies or Greek yoghurt parfaits, especially for those who want to be healthy.
Even though the Shamrock Shake is only available briefly, it’s about more than just the tasty flavour. It has a history of helping others, like supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities. So, when people enjoy the Shamrock Shake, they’re also part of a tradition of giving back, making each sip even more special.
