What's Really In McDonald's Shamrock Shake?

Those who celebrate St. Patrick's Day might crave any number of dishes when March 17 rolls around. People sticking to tradition will likely cook up a beef or lamb stew with a side of the cabbage-strewn mashed potato dish colcannon and a loaf of crumbly soda bread, says Irish cookbook author Clodagh McKenna (via Martha Stewart). Those who have never been to Ireland but love Paul Mescal and the sound of the fiddle might opt for corned beef and cabbage with a pint of green-dyed beer, which, according to McKenna, is not traditional. 

Of all the things listed on the proverbial St. Patrick's Day menu, the beloved McDonald's Shamrock Shake is perhaps the least tied to Ireland's foremost patron saint. Still, fast-food fans consider it a holiday favorite nonetheless. 

As you might have guessed, the green-hued treat does not include any traces of actual shamrocks. Here's what's actually in it, and how the chain came to sling it on St. Paddy's. 

According to BuzzFeed, the limited-time McDonald's Shamrock Shake (which is typically released in mid-February) is made with reduced-fat vanilla soft serve, light whipped cream, and a custom syrup flavored with mint and other artificial flavors (such as high-fructose corn syrup) and dyes, plus a maraschino cherry on top for good measure. While shamrocks can indeed by eaten (Irish people in the 16th century allegedly ground the white and purple varieties into cakes, per The Irish Times), that festive green color and flavor in the Shamrock Shake is all thanks to mint and science.

Even though the Shamrock Shake might resemble a superfood-packed green juice, it's far from it. BuzzFeed writes that a small shake contains 460 calories, while a medium packs in 560 calories and a large contains 800 calories. It's worth noting that those numbers are lower without the whipped cream topping. 

Over in the sugar department, a medium shake clocks in at about 78 grams of sugar. That's certainly high, but it's actually lower than the 85 grams of sugar in a McDonald's medium chocolate shake. 

McDonald's is the largest fast-food chain in the world, so it's not surprising that it's made a star out of the humble Shamrock Shake. According to McDonald's, the chain has been slinging the festive dessert for over 50 years, all thanks to Connecticut franchise owner Hal Rosen, who came up with the idea in 1967 and saw his invention hit stores three years later. In the beginning, though, franchisees got to decide whether to flavor Shamrock Shakes with vanilla or mint. It wasn't until 1983 that all Shamrock Shakes became minty fresh, per How Stuff Works.

Even without McDonald's signature syrup, it's pretty simple to whip up a Shamrock Shake at home. If you're craving something closer to the real thing but are minding your sugar intake, you might opt for a healthier version of a Shamrock Shake recipe that swaps dairy for almond milk and gets its green hue from spinach rather than artificial dye. You'll also need peppermint extract, protein powder, ice, and cocoa nibs, the latter of which will adorn the top of your shake after you've blended the other ingredients together until smooth.

Too far off course? Keep things simple by using the vanilla ice cream and milk of your choice, your favorite mint extract, a dash of food coloring, and ice. If you choose to toss in a couple of actual shamrocks, more power to you.