We cannot let this holiday pass without mentioning this annual favorite. Sure we could have stuck to the usual subjects for this season: Irish Whiskey, Baileys Irish Cream, Creme de Menthe, Guinness; but the one drink that’s been in our collective conscious since childhood has been the Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s.
The Shamrock Shake
High fructose corn syrup
Corn syrup
Water
Sugar
Natural flavor (presumably mint)
Xanthan gum
Citric acid
Sodium Benzoate (preservative)
Yellow 5
Blue 1
Yes, technically you’re drinking a chemistry set but from February 26th until sometime shortly after St. Patrick’s day McDonalds can’t make enough of these minty green shakes. They’ve been around since 1970 and surely everyone has tried it at some point in their life. Through the years there have been many iterations on the shake in both it’s ingredients and packaging. In 2011 McDonald’s have added whipped cream and a cherry on top.
Honestly, it’s pretty good though the list of ingredients don’t resemble anything food related. Having seen the ingredient list, the first thing in my mind was “I drank what?” but again, it’s tasty and brings back memories of youth. So what do you do?
Do me a favor, next time you crave a mint shake, make it yourself by putting the following ingredients in a blender:
Whole Milk
1 scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream (something natural like Breyers or Häagen-Dazs five®)
1oz Green Creme de Menthe
I can assure you it’s pretty good. It make not be exactly the same as a Shamrock Shack but at least there’s no mystery as to what you are putting in your body.
McDonald’s have been selling these shakes for 40 years, chances are they’ll continue to sell for years to come. Having it available for a limited time every year will always peak interest. It’s easy to be of a mixed mind on this product. It tastes good but clearly this cannot be good for you. Then again, when has McDonald’s ever been good for you?
Happy St. Patricks Day from Voda Magazine
Xan
Founder and senior editor of VODA. Cocktailian, Journalist, Traveler, and the next Robin Leach.
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