St Paddy’s Day is no doubt a day full of drinking… Guinness, Jameson, Bailey’s, and, for all of those that aren’t 21 yet, let’s not forget about the seasonal Shamrock Shakes from McDonald’s. Here are 12 things you might not know about the minty holiday favorite.
1. They were first introduced in the United States in 1970
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
Since then, McDonald’s has sold over 60 million Shamrock Shakes.
2. A giant Shamrock Shake is made each year for the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day celebration
Photo courtesy of bandt.com
Each year, the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s day. In 2010, advertising executive Leo Burnett created a giant Shamrock Shake cup that he tipped over to make it look like it was pouring into the river — they’ve done it every year since.
3. Shamrock Shakes contributed to funding the first ever Ronald McDonald House
Photo courtesy of philarmh.com
In 1974, Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end Fred Hill had a daughter fighting leukemia, so he wanted to create a place where families could stay if they were in a similar situation. He was seeing firsthand how families were being affected, and wanted to establish a sense of home away from home.
McDonald’s donated a portion of the profit from Shamrock Shake sales to the project, in exchange for being able to name the new house. They were able to purchase an old 7-bedroom house that became the first ever Ronald McDonald House. Today there are over 350 similar houses worldwide.
4. In 1978, McDonald’s introduced Uncle O’Grimacey as the face of Shamrock Shakes
He was the Irish uncle of Grimace, the McDonaldland character, but he was phased out of advertising in the early ’80s.
5. ShamrockShake.com is totally a thing
Photo courtesy of sensibilitywear.wordpress.com
If you’re wondering where you can find one of these seasonal shakes, you can check out this website to see where people have reported buying them. Have they made it to your town yet?
6. They are really, really bad for you — but we don’t care
Photo courtesy of @jtkmama on Instagram
A large Shamrock Shake has about 820 calories. That is the equivalent of 1.25 Big Macs, 1.5 large fries, 2.5 Sundaes, or 3 Egg McMuffins. Yolo.
7. In 2011, Jimmy Fallon wiped out the Union Square McDonald’s supply of Shamrock Shakes
Photo courtesy of thestir.com
He bought one for everyone in his crew and his studio audience.
8. Shamrock Shakes were completely discontinued in the ’90s
Photo courtesy of fastfoodmenuprice.com
Thankfully, due to a huge internet revolution, they were brought back in the 2000s.
9. McDonald’s introduced a Shamrock Sundae in 1980
Photo courtesy of blog.paxholley.com
It was a huge flop and it didn’t sell, to the point that it was discontinued in a year.
10. 2012 was the first year that Shamrock Shakes were available worldwide
Photo courtesy of @purplefeathers on Instagram
However, regional managers make the decision on whether or not their store will carry them.
11. They were originally called the super creative and catchy “St. Patrick’s Day Green Milkshake“
Photo courtesy of @fraser_valley_foodie on Instagram
Simply mouthwatering.
12. There is a chocolate version of the Shamrock Shake called the “McLeprechaun Shake“
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
YES PLEASE.