McDonald’s Shamrock Shake Turns 40!

40th Anniversary Shamrock Shake

Lovers of all things minty are certainly not strangers to Shamrock Shakes, the seasonal milkshake offered annually at McDonald’s restaurants in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The triple-thick milkshake has flavoring similar to the vanilla shakes, but with a hint of mint and a bright green hue. McDonald’s restaurants served the drink annual for several years until many restaurant locations stopped serving the shakes in the early 1990s. The public outcry was heard and the Shamrock Shake was brought back, but not before several websites, such as ShamrockShake.com, were organized to let the public know exactly which locations are selling the shake. The shakes begin to sell in late-February and stop sometime in late March (typically beyond St. Patrick’s Day).

For the 40th anniversary in 2010, McDonald’s decided to upgrade the shake to feature a whipped topping and a cherry, resembling a sundae or birthday cake. Purist should order the shake sans whipped cream and cherry for the pure mint flavor of the original.

The cult following of the Shamrock Shake is nothing new. For decades devotees of the milkshake have tried to decode the recipe for enjoyment year-round. One of the most simple, and possibly most accurate replication can be found on FoodGeeks.com:

Shamrock Shake Recipe

INGREDIENTS
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1-1/4 cup milk, 2% lowfat
1/4 tsp. mint extract
8 drops green food coloring

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Stop blender to stir with a spoon if necessary to help blend ice cream. Pour into 12-ounce cups and serve each with a straw. Serves 2.

Extra Tip: For the gourmet foodies add a sprig of mint for garish.

The Shamrock Shake is an American tradition that continues to spread across the globe. In 2008, the Shamrock Shake returned to Canada after a five year absence. The shake makes news all over the internet as well as traditional media. This year treat yourself by stopping into a McDonald’s or pulling out your blender, and enjoy the mint milkshake! Happy birthday Shamrock Shake! read more

Who screams? Ice cream… for equal rights

Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is standing up for civil rights with their recently announced “Hubby Hubby” flavor,  in honor of Vermont’s recent passage of legal marriage for gay and lesbian couples. The Hubby Hubby ice cream is a 30-day rebranding of their popular “Chubby Hubby” flavor. The move is mostly symbolic (PR stunt?) since the name won’t be changing on any store shelves or UPCs. The effort was done in cooperation with Freedom to Marry, a group that fights for marriage rights

The press release sent out by the company this week states, “Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of commitment to social justice, including gay rights.”

Since announced on their Facebook page yesterday, the name changed has caused a stir online. Comments ranged from “Brilliant name change” to “Time to give it a rest B & J.” While many people blame Ben & Jerry for using their product as a political soap box, many feel politics and ice cream just don’t mix. Who can blame them. Many products we use today are neutral. If Coca-Cola suddenly supported creationism, would you still be a fan? If Burger King decided all people that buy Whoopers support abortion, would you still order one? Does your food need to have a social agenda?

As someone that supports ice cream and equal rights, I find it refreshing and strange that our political issues can have a flavor. In a slightly ridiculous twist, CBS News recorded a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream truck serving Hubby Hubby to the public in Vermont. The video is below…
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