Not McDonald’s Shamrock Shake: Here’s a healthier, at-home recipe (2024)

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Not McDonald’s Shamrock Shake: Here’s a healthier, at-home recipe? ›

According to the nutritional facts found on McDonald's website, the shamrock shake offers a whopping 460 calories and 63 grams of sugar, and keep in mind that is only a small. A large packs a total of 800 calories with 113 grams of sugar. These drinks will surely cause some problems if you aren't careful.

According to the nutritional facts found on McDonald's website, the shamrock shake offers a whopping 460 calories and 63 grams of sugar, and keep in mind that is only a small. A large packs a total of 800 calories with 113 grams of sugar. These drinks will surely cause some problems if you aren't careful.

(NEXSTAR) – Being one of the few green things on the McDonald's menu, it's always a notable event when the Shamrock Shake makes its annual appearance. The shake, made from vanilla soft serve and minty syrup, first debuted at U.S. McDonald's locations in 1970.

Initially, the shake was lemon/lime flavored with vanilla ice cream, lemon/lime sherbet, and vanilla syrup. By 1973, the shake was merely a green colored vanilla shake, eliminating the lemon/lime sherbet. It is now mint flavored.

Smooth vanilla soft serve, fluorescent mint syrup, a fluffy swirl of sweet whipped cream... That's right folks — McDonald's iconic Shamrock Shake is back for the season.

Shamrock Shake Syrup: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Yellow 5, Blue 1.

The flavored syrup is chock-full of high-fructose corn syrup, and, unsurprisingly, various dyes and flavors to make it extra minty and green. The shake does not contain actual shamrocks. A small Shamrock Shake has 460 calories, a medium has 560 calories, and a large shake has 800 calories.

But if the past is a hint, the shake typically is discontinued around St. Patrick's Day. The same goes for the Shamrock McFlurry. But it all depends on availability.

Shamrock Shake Ingredients

Mint extract: Mint extract gives the shake its signature minty freshness. It packs a powerful punch, so use the extract sparingly. Food coloring: About nine drops of green food coloring will dye your milkshake a gorgeous emerald hue.

Who invented the Shamrock Shake? The Shamrock Shake was created in 1967 by Connecticut McDonald's owner and operator Hal Rosen in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. It debuted nationally in 1970.

Why is the Shamrock Shake so good? ›

The minty, vanilla flavor of the Shamrock Shake is so different from any other shake a fast food place serves. Its uniqueness on its own makes the Shamrock Shake special. No other shake in the fast food realm can even come close to a similar taste.

The word "milkshake" is in fact a legal category. McD's stipulates this on its website, making clear that state-to-state dairy regulations vary widely. Ergo, rather than figure out where McDonald's can or cannot legally put "milkshake" on their menu, they simply call their milkshake-like concoctions "shakes."

Natural And Vegetable-Based Food Coloring Can Be Used

First and foremost, you get to control what goes into it. McDonald's Shamrock Shake Syrup is made of high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, sugar, natural flavor, xanthan gum, citric acid, sodium benzoate, Yellow 5, and Blue 1.

The shake, made from vanilla soft serve and minty syrup, first debuted at U.S. McDonald's locations in 1970. But it was originally concocted several years before by Hal Rosen, a Connecticut franchisee who was looking for something to draw customers around St. Patrick's Day in the mid- to late-'60s.

Is the Grimace Shake Back for 2024? In an official press release from May 13, McDonald's confirmed that for the second summer in a row, the Grimace Shake is, indeed, returning. "The rumours are true," the post begins.

If you are counting calories, a medium Shamrock Shake has 540 calories. That compares to 570 calories for a medium vanilla shake and 650 for a chocolate shake. An Oreo Shamrock McFlurry has 560 calories, compared to a regular Oreo McFlurry with 510 calories.

If you are counting calories, a medium Shamrock Shake has 540 calories. That compares to 570 calories for a medium vanilla shake and 650 for a chocolate shake. An Oreo Shamrock McFlurry has 560 calories, compared to a regular Oreo McFlurry with 510 calories.

Our organic cows get only 100% organic feed. They have direct access to pasture, and their pens have plenty of room. They also get to go outside for lots of fresh air and sunshine on a consistent basis. And, of course, our cows are never treated with growth hormones or antibiotics.

“Now, while 97 grams may not sound like too much it certainly does look like a lot,” writes Mike Chaar for MTL Blog. “Joey began measuring out the Shamrock Shake sugar content with granulated sugar first, which resulted in a whopping 20.5 teaspoons.”

It's the cheapest, it has the chocolate drizzle, and it's just as good. There's no denying that the Shamrock Shake has a more minty kick, though, so if that's your major deciding factor, it's the way to go.