For many people, the arrival of the Shamrock Shake at McDonald’s is a sure sign that spring is on the way. This popular green milkshake has been a seasonal favorite for over 50 years, and its unique taste and history have made it a beloved part of McDonald’s lore.
The Shamrock Shake’s origins date back to 1967, when a McDonald’s owner and operator, Hal Rosen, created the mint-flavored concoction. In 1970, however, a regional lemon-lime version was offered in Chicago, Boston, and New York. But by 1973, that lemon-lime flavor was jettisoned in favor of a plain vanilla shake with some green coloring. So how did it get back to its minty origins? Read on to find out…
In 1974, the Shamrock Shake became more than just a drink when it helped to fund the very first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia. The idea for the house came from Fred Hill, a Philadelphia Eagles football player whose daughter was battling leukemia. While his daughter was receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Hill noticed that many families were struggling to find affordable places to stay nearby. He and his teammates decided to raise money to create a house where families could stay while their children received treatment.
McDonald’s got involved when Jim Murray, the Eagles’ general manager, reached out to a friend who worked for the company. They came up with the idea of selling Shamrock Shakes during the St. Patrick’s Day season and donating a portion of the proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House fund. The promotion was a huge success, and the funds raised helped to create the very first Ronald McDonald House, which opened its doors in Philadelphia in 1974. Today, there are over 350 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide, all of which provide a home away from home for families of seriously ill children.
The Shamrock Shake has continued to evolve over the years. In 1983, the shake was updated with the addition of mint syrup, giving it the sweet and refreshing flavor that we know and love today. In 2017, McDonald’s introduced a limited-time Chocolate Shamrock Shake, which featured chocolate syrup mixed with the classic mint flavor. To help customers enjoy the two flavors in perfect harmony, McDonald’s even designed a special straw, known as the Suction Tube for Reverse Axial Withdrawal, or STRAW for short. And in 2020, McDonald’s celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Shamrock Shake by introducing a new twist on the classic flavor with the OREO Shamrock McFlurry, which was so popular you can still get it during Shamrock season every year since.
Despite the Shamrock Shake’s popularity, it has remained a seasonal item, only available at McDonald’s restaurants during the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. This limited availability has only added to the shake’s mystique, with fans eagerly awaiting its return each year. Did you get a Shamrock shake this year? Let us know in the comments!
- A large Shamrock Shake boasts a whopping 84 grams of sugar. That’s over 16 teaspoons, which is a little over a third of a cup! No one ever said the Shamrock Shake was healthy…
- In 1980, McDonald’s introduced the Shamrock Sundae, which featured vanilla soft serve topped with a mint-green Shamrock syrup.
- Through 2011, the Shamrock Shake was a regional product, but in 2012 the shake went national.
- These days, the Shamrock Shake is available in more than just the United States – it’s also available in Canada and Ireland!
- On St. Patrick’s Day in 2010, the “World’s Largest Shamrock Shake” was “poured” into the Chicago River in honor of a $10,000 donation to develop a new RMHC house in the city of Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. The shake was 24 feet tall.
- A large Shamrock Shake boasts a whopping 84 grams of sugar. That’s over 16 teaspoons, which is a little over a third of a cup! No one ever said the Shamrock Shake was healthy…
- In 1980, McDonald’s introduced the Shamrock Sundae, which featured vanilla soft serve topped with a mint-green Shamrock syrup.
- Through 2011, the Shamrock Shake was a regional product, but in 2012 the shake went national.
- These days, the Shamrock Shake is available in more than just the United States – it’s also available in Canada and Ireland!
- On St. Patrick’s Day in 2010, the “World’s Largest Shamrock Shake” was “poured” into the Chicago River in honor of a $10,000 donation to develop a new RMHC house in the city of Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. The shake was 24 feet tall.
