Each year during March, McDonald’s releases its special limited edition Shamrock Shake, a mint milkshake topped with whipped cream.

Since its first release in 1970, it has been loved and highly rated nationwide. However, when I took matters into my own hands to see what it was about, the results were truly unexpected.

First, let’s get into some history and see what’s behind the Shamrock Shake. According to the Dallas Observer, The Shamrock Shake was created in 1967. It mainly took its big debut when it was released to the public in 1970, where it was first offered in areas with large Irish-American populations such as Chicago, Boston, and New York. 

According to the McDonald's website, “It’s made with creamy vanilla soft serve blended with our minty Shamrock Shake syrup and topped with a whipped light cream.” It made its way across the nation, and fast forward to 2024 the Shamrock Shake is still available limited time during March for the famous holiday St. Patrick’s Day.

Many have reviewed it and have given amazing reviews saying “It was the most minty of the three I tried,” and “the most vibrantly green!" said commentators on pennlive.com, an entertainment website.

I decided to try it myself and let me tell you. It did not live up to the hype. To put it briefly, it tasted like mint toothpaste. It doesn’t smell too bad at first with a fresh minty smell, then once you take a sip you taste a thick texture like ice cream. 

It does come with whipped cream, but that doesn’t help as much when it comes to the flavor. If I had to rate it from 1-10, it would be a 2. 

I don’t expect anyone to be able to pair this with a meal. But try it for yourself, and let me know what you think!