In 1967, Connecticut McDonald’s owner Hal Rosen decided to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by creating a new, unique milkshake, the Shamrock Shake. The shake was introduced as a minty, refreshing way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, only available at the small McDonald’s in Enfield, Connecticut. It didn’t take long for the instant success to spread around the country, and Rosen’s creation soon became an iconic piece of the McDonald’s franchise.

The shake itself is a delicious mix of vanilla ice cream blended with milk and minty syrup to make a smooth, refreshing shake. It also comes at an affordable price, being cheaper than shakes at Chick-fil-A, Sonic, and Dairy Queen.

It’s earned the hype and has raised money for a great cause over the years. For every Shamrock Shake sold, McDonald’s donates 25 cents to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, a nonprofit organization that supports the health and well-being of children.

The shake’s originality has inspired many other restaurants to start selling mint shakes, and it has even grown so popular that McDonald’s gave it its own mascot, Uncle O’Grimacey, a relative of the famous Grimace. McDonald’s has even expanded on the St. Patrick’s Day celebration by creating different limited-time desserts like the shamrock sundae, or the Oreo shamrock McFlurry. 

The shake’s mix of vanilla and mint works so well together, creating a smooth, refreshing taste. “The mint-to-vanilla ratio was quite even, which resulted in a perfect harmony of flavor,” said the Neenah High School journalism student, Amanda Argall. “The ice cream itself was also smooth and creamy and made for a delectable shake.”  I completely agree with this, the shake was delicious and had the perfect mix of vanilla and mint.

McDonald’s does a great job of promoting their shake, and with over 13,600 locations across the country, accessibility is definitely not a problem. Within a 10-mile radius of Prior Lake High School, there are 5 McDonald’s restaurants, so next year, make sure to stop by one and order a shake.

Overall, the Shamrock Shake’s iconic legacy, great taste, affordable price, and accessibility make it a great shake, earning a rating of 4.5/5 stars from my book. I would recommend this shake to anyone who enjoys a nice, affordable dessert, and anyone who enjoys mint ice cream.