On the Hunt for the Elusive Shamrock Shake
So, apparently, the Shamrock Shakes at McDonald’s have a freaky cult following. I was reading online today about all these people who are SO VERY EXCITED that it’s Shamrock season so that they can get their hands on the cold, minty treat they’ve waited ALL YEAR FOR. However, Shamrocks are not available to everyone everywhere. While they are only around for a limited time (end of February through mid-March), they also seem to be sold in limited areas only.
Serious Eats recently posted about the Shamrock phenomenia and how fanatics are complaining about disappointing beverages this year…particularly not enough mint flavor and not enough mixing of said flavor in. Some are even complaining about the milkshakes being served in clear cups (gasp!), instead of the standard soft drink cups, with whipped cream & a cherry (egads!).
After reading about this all day, I decided to seek out the coveted Shamrock Shake for myself. I had never tried one, and I wanted to see what all the fuss is about.
My first attempt at procuring the S.S. was unsuccessful; Edwardsvillians are not cool enough to be receipents of the all-powerful mint-flavored milkshake. My second attempt was likewise unsuccessful; sorry, Wood River folks, no shakes for you! At my third and final stop, I struck Shamrock gold! Thank you, Alton, for being worthy!
My shake was served in the traditional waxed paper soda cup, though the bright green mint flavor was not equally distributed amongst the vanilla soft-serve. After a vigorous stir, though, I was on my way to Shamrock bliss.
Um, yeah, so…this is just a mint flavored shake. WHY are y’all gettin’ so BATSHIT CRAZY over this?
Save yourself some heartache & embarrassment and just make your own Shamrock Shake at home. Ok? Then, you can enjoy it all year long.
Shamrock Shake
makes 1 shake
1 cup vanilla ice cream, slightly thawed
1/2 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon, or more to taste, of mint extract
4-5 drops of green food coloring
- Combine everything in a blender & mix until it’s pale green.
- If you’re feeling sassy, use 1 tablespoon or more of Creme de Menthe instead of the extract & food coloring.
Food Blog Mafia 
I’d like to see a recipe for a Toxic Shamrock. You have to be able to get more booze into this puppy.
Haha, I love it! You know a shake that doesn’t melt really IS pretty unnerving!!
Wow, great post… love your shake menu with a kick. Cool shake. Thanks for sharing.
The very best Shamrock Shake is actually the Shamrock Smoothie at Urban Eats on Meramec. Pretty awesome if you want it boozy, too-then it’s called the Blarney Boozie. I know I’m late on this, but I didn’t discover it until the tweetup last week. SO much better than the Shamrock Shake! I think if you ask nicely, they’ll still make you one. It really is that good.