It was nearly 50 years ago that McDonald's rocked worlds and tastebud alike by introducing the now-infamous Shamrock Shake. Like with other seasonal drinks (most notably, Starbucks' PSL) this one's got people curious—really curious. So, armed with info, we sat down to tackle your most pressing questions. First up: When the h-e-double hockey sticks can I get my hands on this sucker?
When is the Shamrock Shake coming back in 2019?
Friend, if you're asking this now, you're late to the party. The Shamrock Shake returned to menus on February 13. You have until March 24 to get your fill, at which point they'll disappear until next year.
Talk to me about calories and fat and all that health stuff.
Ordering a small will set you back 460 calories, 13 grams of fat, 74 grams of carbs, and 63 grams of sugar. Ready for the stats on a medium shake? 560 calories, 16 grams of fat, 91 grams of carbs, and 78 grams of sugar. If you're brave enough to read 'em, here are the facts for a large shake: 800 calories, 22 grams of fat, 131 grams of carbs, and 113 grams of sugar.
What are the ingredients?
Mmm, so you're a glutton for punishment and want to know why those nutrition facts are the way they are. We got u. The Shamrock Shake has three main components: the vanilla ice cream, the syrup, and the whipped cream on top. Let's break down what's in each of those, shall we?
In the vanilla ice cream we've got milk, sugar, cream, corn syrup, natural flavor, mono and diglycerides, cellulose gum, guar gym, carrageenan, and vitamin A palmitate.
In the Shamrock Shake syrup, you have high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, sugar, natural flavor, xantham gum, citric acid, sodium benzoate (preservative), yellow 5, blue 1. McDonald's notes on their site that the syrup may contain small amounts of other shake flavors served at the restaurant, including egg ingredients when Egg Nog Shakes are available.
In the whipped light cream, there's cream, nonfat milk, liquid sugar, and 2% of less of mono and diglycerides, natural flavors, and carrageenan. Nitrous oxide is used as a "whipping propellant."
Where can I get one?
At McDonald's, ya silly goose! Most, but not all, locations offer Shamrock Shakes. McDonald's added a feature to its app that lets you find one easily. You just enter your zip code and the app will curate a list of locations with shakes near you. If you don't have the app, the function works online, too.
How much does a Shamrock Shake cost?
As of last year, a small was $2.29, a medium was $2.49, and a large was $2.99.
Does it come in any other flavors besides the original?
Not this year. In its early days, the Shamrock Shake also took form as a Shamrock Sundae. It was essentially the same thing, just not blended. And in recent years, it's been reinvented, too. In 2017, the Shamrock menu included a Chocolate Shamrock Shake, a Shamrock Chocolate Chip Frappe, a Shamrock Mocha and a Shamrock Hot Chocolate.
Unfortunately, none were officially brought back for 2019. That said, online message boards are rife with secret menu hacks. For example, when you order, ask for a mix of half chocolate shake and half Shamrock Shake.
Can the Shamrock Shake be vegan? Or healthy? Or Keto?
Hahahahahaha.
Wait, seriously—can they?
Omg, sorry, I thought you were kidding. The answer is a swift and resounding "no way." You saw the nutrition facts, right? There are all sorts of dairy in there. And those carbs would kick you right out of ketosis.
Ok, fine. But can I make it boozy?
McDonald's won't serve it to you that way, but by all means, feel free to spike it once you get home.
Can I make the entire thing from scratch at home?
You bet, and it's super easy. All you need is six ingredients and a blender. Bada boom, bada bing.
