Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Every generation has its defining historical events, and Gen X is the generation that experienced the Shamrock Shake evolution from “maybe mint” to “definitely mint”. Personally, I only ever remember having mint-flavored Shamrock Shakes, and I don’t know if any early memories of green-tinted vanilla shakes have been overwritten by more vivid, later experiences. One thing is certain: by 1980, they were uniformly mint, as advertised.
According to the official McDonalds chronology, the Shamrock Shake was invented in 1967 by Hal Rosen, a Connecticut McDonald’s Owner and Operator, and offered in select stores nationally by 1970. In 1974, proceeds from the sale of Shamrock Shakes funded the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia.
Some early ads refer to the Shamrock Shake as green in color, but vanilla flavored like usual, while others specifically describe it as “minty”. In 1980, two years after McDonalds rolled out sundaes, Shamrock Shakes were 100% mint, and as an extra treat, we got Shamrock Sundaes with green mint syrup.
I have yet to uncover a Shamrock Shake that pre-dates the iconic McDonalds version, but there were school dances in the ’50s and ’60’s called The Shamrock Shake. However, shamrock sundaes date back to at least the 1920s in America, though they lacked the wonderful simplicity of the McDonald’s soft serve delight. One recipe, circa 1942, called for: “…a few J. H. S. Green Pineapple Cubes into а Sundae Dish, and cover with a serving of Vanilla Ice Cream. Over this pour a ladleful of J. H. S. Creme de Menthe Syrup. Top off with whipped cream. Decorate with 2 or 3 Green Pineapple Cubes and а novelty shamrock.”
There was also a St. Patrick Frappe, but before you declare, “Aha! The Shamrock Shake prototype”, read the ingredients of this ice cream dog’s dinner:
“Into a suitable Sundae Dish put a serving of Pistachio and Chocolate Ice Cream, blended half and half. Over one side pour 3/4 ladle of J. H. S. Chocolate Syrup, and on the other 1/2 ladle of J.H.S Creme de Menthe Syrup. Top off with a spoonful of Mint-Marshmallow Dressing, and a Green Pineapple Cube. The Mint-Marshmallow may be made by blending to the proper consistency equal parts of J.H.S. Creme de Menthe Syrup and J. H. S. Marshmallow Float.”
No McDonald’s St Patrick’s Day celebration would be complete without the annual visit from the only McDonaldland character who didn’t actually live in Mcdonaldland: Uncle O’Grimacey! According to the 1975 official McDonald’s Specification Manual: “Uncle O’Grimacey is the only one of McDonaldland’s characters who doesn’t live there. He resides in Ireland, but takes his annual vacation in McDonaldland around St. Patrick’s day. Ostensibly, he comes to see his nephew, the Grimace. In actuality, he comes for McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes, which he loves even more than the Blarney Stone. His personality resembles that of his nephew, but a bit more mature. Green is his favorite color, obviously. Drinking McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes is his favorite occupation. He speaks in an Irish brogue so thick you couldn’t cut it with a shillelagh. The other characters look forward to Uncle O’Grimacey’s annual visit, because he is every bit as likeable as his more familiar nephew.”