Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, which reminds me of two things: getting my wisdom teeth extracted and McDonald's Shamrock Shakes.
It was the Monday of my freshman spring break, and rather than frolic on a Florida beach, I got my four impacted wisdom teeth removed. I developed "dry sockets," another name for pain. It was a blast.
My face blew up to gargantuan proportions, and with all the bruising, I looked like Violet from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I couldn't eat any solid foods, so after work, my dad surprised me with a coffee milkshake from McDonald's. He knew it was my favorite, and that frosty, creamy milkshake was just what I needed to soothe my aching mouth.
When he saw how much I loved the milkshake, he came home Tuesday grinning from ear to ear with a special St. Patrick's Day green Shamrock Shake (and a coffee one, just in case I didn't like the Shamrock Shake).
I was skeptical. I have never been fond of mint (it reminds me of Milk of Magnesia; not good), but after a couple of sips, its refreshing flavor left a pleasant minty tingling sensation in my dry socketed mouth.
Each night that week, my dad brought me a Shamrock Shake. By Friday, however, I was green at the thought of drinking another one. But when your dad stops at McDonald's after a long day at work, waits in line to buy you a milkshake, and delivers it to you, you drink it.
Though I've never told him, those milkshakes made me feel better than just about anything that week, and I think about it every year at St. Patrick's Day. I only wish I could have one again. Unfortunately, McDonald's doesn't carry them in the US anymore.
After 15 years of waiting, I decided to make my own Shamrock Shake. It was cold, minty, and delicious just as I remembered. It also made my teeth ache a little, but I think that was just in my head.
So Dad, this "McBlogga Mint Shake" is for you. By the way, thanks.
I hope Michelle's kids like mint cause I'm sending this to her for the final month of her Winter Bazaar. Her kids weren't even born when the Shamrock Shake came out, and I wouldn't want them to be left out of an American classic. I'm also sending it to Danielle of Habeas Brulee, the host of Sugar High Friday #41, who would like you to share your "sweet gifts" with her.
Shamrock Shake (a.k.a. The McBlogga Mint Shake)
Makes 2 servings
Print recipe only here.
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon green food coloring
2 cups vanilla ice cream
Place milk, extract, and food coloring in a blender; blend on high for about 10 seconds. Add ice cream and blend another 15 to 20 seconds on low so the ice cream doesn't melt too much. It should be thick and frothy.
For a Chocolate Shamrock Shake, just use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, but skip the green food coloring. It's not pretty when mixed with chocolate.
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76 comments:
I have to admit, I don't remember that one at all! But I love the color! (Thanks for your kind wishes. We're super excited!)
How cool! A Saint Patty's day colored shake! You've got the color right for sure. That's a very sweet story by the way. Never got a shake when i had teeth removed as a kid. I'm filing a complaint against my parents. :-)
Looks so cute and delicious.
I totally remember the Shamrock shake. Are you certain that they don't feature them anymore? I'm curious to know...
I remember those! I'll take some chocolate chips in mine, please. ;)
Yes, chocolate chips. Though I guess while we're at it, I'd just make it the Shamrock Blizzard?? And dump a bunch of stuff in there :D
Happy St. Pat's.
Susan, up here in Canada, Rotten Ronnie's (McD's) still sells them for St. Paddy's day.
I love Shamrock shakes! I girl at work made them last year in her office for St. Patricks Day and it was delicious!
Looks like a good shake with some great color! I sympathize on the tooth extraction...I had far too many out. A trip to see my extended family also inevitably meant a trip to the dentist (my uncle), which inevitably meant something painful (usually an extraction...I've lost count...). This would then merit a trip to McDonalds so I could awkwardly gum on some fries, lol.
Also, lol@"Rotten Ronnie's"
Me again...Here are the ones that are carried in CA. -Julia
El Segundo 03/16
El Segundo 03/16
90045 03/16
718 W Highland Ave, San Bernardino, CA (909) 882-5546? 03/16
90401 03/16
Hollywood 03/16
galt 03/16
1420 S EL CAMINO REAL, SAN MATEO, CA 94402-3020 03/15
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 03/15
Lompoc 03/15
NOT on Shattuck in Berkeley, CA 03/15
I-80 and leisure town road exit, Vacaville, CA 03/14
Citrus Heights 03/14
Torrance 03/14
burbank 03/14
San Fernando Road, N of Burbank Blvd, Burbank 03/14
San Fernando Road, N of Burbank Blvd, Burbank 03/14
Drove Sunset Blvd. from Silverlake to Beverly Hills- alas no shakes 03/14
Where in 95661 03/13
1310 e monte vista, vacaville, CA 03/12
palm springs 03/12
Called 11 San Francisco Bay Area McDonalds - NONE had them. 03/12
No Shamrock Shakes in all of Marin County 03/12
balboa and vanowen, van nuys, ca 03/12
Westfield/Solano mall, Fairfield 03/12
Tustin Ranch, CA - on Tustin Ranch Road and Bryan 03/12
laguna niguel 03/11
san mateo, ca el camino near hwy 92 03/11
NOT at 3080 travis, Fairfield CA 03/11
sacramento 03/10
harbor Blvd costa mesa 03/10
harbor blvd. Costa Mesa 03/10
temecula 03/10
torrance 03/10
3080 Travis, Fairfield, CA 03/10
morro bay has `em 03/10
san jose 03/09
94550 03/09
Livermore 03/09
van nuys 03/08
Mammoth Lakes 03/08
Irvine 03/08
flag city lodi, ca 03/08
los angrles 03/08
San Bernardino County - Redlands, California - CA HAS Shamrock Shake on Redlands/Alabama off the 10 03/07
pine st. Galt, CA 03/07
San Bernardino County - Redlands, California - CA HAS Shamrock Shake on Redlands/Alabama off the 10 03/05
they used to have them on pico in santa monica but not sure if they`re still there 03/05
Gardena, CA - Redondo Beach Blvd & Normandie 03/05
2/29/2008 Corner of Venice&Overland, Los Angeles, CA 03/05
2/29/2008 Corner of Venice&Overland, Los Angeles, CA 03/05
covina, CA 03/05
in van nuys, CA, both at the sherman way and victory blvd locations 03/05
Camarillo, CA (60 Daily)
Happy St.Patrick's day to you. What a great looking beverage for the occasion! Looks yum!:)
I will be on break until May, enjoy the Spring, see you again in May!
Have a great St Patrick's Day! That's an interesting drink! Gorgeous color-wise!
Cheers,
Rosa
I have never seen a greener beverage, that's for sure, Susan. :)
Easy as that... thanks for sharing, my older one likes mint... and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I didn't know the Shamrock Shake was no more. (And coffee shakes at McDonald's?!? When did such a thing happen?) Thanks for the memories. I think I'll make this tonight for my kids, since they will sadly never know the joy from McD's.
Up here in Canada we get them every year for St Paddy's day and when the Shrek movies came out. I have never seen a McDonalds coffee shake before and would love to try one. DQ will generally make any flavor shake they have the syrup for whether they are on the menu or not. (at least up here in Canada they will)
Wow that colour is so beautiful.
I would go straight and make them as it looks so delicious, but the thought of milk and mint together puts me off.
Yeah i would also drink it if my dad bought that for me after a whole days hard work.
Your dad is so sweet! I have not seen anything like that before, and it certainly piqued my interest. I don't have peppermint extract now, maybe I will make one with matcha, which is also green for St Paddy's Day. :p
abby-Really? Did Ronald McDonald do something to offed North Carolina? ;) You're so welcome! I'm excited for you.
zen-You can probably find free legal forms online. ;)
helene-Thanks!
recipegirl-According to the internet I didn't see any. But it looks like somebody below found some!
susan-You and my husband!
sara-Yes! A Shamrock Blizzard!
peter-I know they still have them in Canada. I was thinking of taking a trip there to have one, but Jeff's not too keen on the idea. Rotten Ronnie's --ha ha ha ha.
sarah-Now that's one cool office mate!
mike-Even though I now have the world's nicest dentist, I'm still petrified to go.
julia-WoW! Thanks! I didn't see anything like this on the internet. You should post it!
asha-You will be missed.:)
rosa-I loved playing around with the green coloring!
patricia-That's a good thing, right? ;)
cris-Super easy!
kelly-Maybe coffee milkshakes are a New England specialty? When I moved to NC, they didn't carry them, and I've never seen them in CA. Coffee ice cream and milkshakes are HUGE in RI, so maybe that's it. They're amazing, trust me. Hope your kids like them!
chris-Maybe I need to move to Canada. ;) Wow, your McDonald's workers are nicer than ours. They'd laugh us out the door before making a special drink.
Grace has always loved those shakes--I've always had a hard time placing the flavor :) I'll have to make these for her.
Great colour :-D so vivid and fresh :-)
Anything with two scoops of vanilla is "top o' the morning" in my book!
i remember those! and i had a wisdom tooth horror story too! (i will spare you that)
That color is absolutely hideous! But then, I have been known to have Smurf-blue slushies. Bring it on, Susan!
Sorry you suffered four teeth out at once. I cannot imagine. I guess I've been as lucky as a leprechan w/ my wisdom teeth. Not so for root canal. : \
Susan, this is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. What a wonderful dad ... and a considerate (of his feelings) daughter too!
Diane
Awww... your dad rocks! As much as I love your fantastic photography and your recipes, the stories of you family are even better.
Having grown up in a not so close or functional family, reading about such a close nit, loving one is really wonderful.
I can't believe I missed out on these. I don't remember them at all.
Btw, what a sweet Dad you have and you are also to spare his feelings!
what a lovely shade of green!
happy cook-I hear ya, so I won't push it. :)
mandy-Ooh, a matcha milkshake--I love it!
michelle-Wait a minute, you get shamrock shakes in Alaska?!
jo-Thanks a lot!
TW-Ice cream and morning makes me think of hot waffles with ice cream--oh, double yum!
cinderdelly-Wisdom teeth are the pits.
susan-Hold on to your four-leaf clover. Wisdom teeth are no fun.
diane-I truly appreciate that, especially coming from you.
melody-That is awfully sweet of you to say. But, rest assured, we weren't the Cleavers! ;)
annie-Missed out? Really? Then you'll just have to make them at home!
sarasouth-I haven't played around with food coloring since I was a kid. It was fun!
Yes... lovely color green. I didn't even know that McDonald's didn't make the green shakes anymore! But I do remember getting them as a child. Thank you for sharing!
That is the prettiest shake I have ever seen. Also a great decision for post-extraction. I just had mine removed LAST YEAR (I know, I know--everyone else in the waiting room was 17!) and unwisely tried to eat a cupcake the next morning. It was a poor decision. But this shake! A good one. :-)
How lovely! It seems that you're having a close bond with your father which is nice. My only wish I would be that close... :) Happy St. Patrick Day!!
mcblogga shake! i love it! :) the first photo is great!
Three words: You are AWESOME!
What a lovely memory you bring back. The shake, not about the wisdom teeth! :) Great job just making your own!
Well yours is healthier just by the fact its nade with real Dairy! Happy St. Patricks Day.
What a sweet and thoughtful Dad you have! Awww, I loved that story!
Happy St Paddy's Day, Susan!
Wow! I think I remember this.
You have a gorgeous color going on in your home made version ;)
that's a great story - I am loving all this St Paddy's day green on the web - and your shake looks fabulously fluorescent
I didn't even know this existed, but then, that's probably coz I am way younger than you(wink:))
this looks fab Susan! I'm sure your dad would've been thrilled!!
love the color, and something minty will be perfect for the upcoming hot and balmy hong kong summer ^_^
I totally remember these shakes, but I'm sure yours are much better and more natural.
I also think coffee shakes were only available at the McDonald's in RI and Mass., where people eat a lot more coffee ice cream than in other parts of the country. I think they are no longer offered there, but I'll check next time I go home and report back.
Thanks for your recipe!
that looks hilariously awesome! i drank a lot of green wine last year on st patty's day -- very very bad idea. i should have made myself a milkshake instead!
The color of the drink is enticing!!
Susan, your post reminds me of the time when my wisdom tooth was extracted..It was really painful...wish we had the drink available here then ..ha ha !!
I noticed on Sunday that our McD had the Shamrock Shake. I was tempted to try it for old time sake - but didn't want the 700+++ calories that went along with it.
I just saw that your Easter pie post was featured on NPR! cheers to that!
Ooh, this sounds good. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
we have them here in co at several mcd we went to
Susan, I love the colour of this shake, it looks like bubblegum! I bet kids would love this!
Now that looks tasty! I remember those shakes, but I never had one. Such a nice story about your dad. : )
I've never had a shamrock shake and I really want one RIGHT THIS SECOND! How wonderful that your dad would bring this to you every day...think I'll have to ring my dad this weekend.
This is an excellent milkshake - I dont think it ever reached Mcdonalds in the UK.
Which is a shame - cos I would have loved it!
Susan! I'm totally laughing right now. I used to love the shamrock shake. They don't make it anymore? That just goes to show you how often I pop into McD's. I'm sure they had some corny leprechaun advertising too. What a long time ago that was.
Great shake idea. LUV it!
Apparently the choice is made by each franchisee whether or not to carry this product, but the corporation has not officially stopped making it.
What a great tribute to your dad! I love the story behind it!
nicole-based on some comments here, it looks like some McD's carry them. Glad you liked it!
cakespy-That is the sweetest comment, thank you!
arfi-oh, thank you. I forgot to wear green though.;)
jaime-Thanks, it was fun playing around with it!
joy-One word: ditto. ;)
gretchen-I figured you meant the shake. ;)
coco-True. :)
marie-I'm so glad because I enjoyed writing it.
maryann-I forgot how much fun food coloring can be.
johanna-Ooh, "fabulously fluorescent." I love that. :)
mansi-Please tell me you watched The Smurfs when you were a kid? ;)
rita-Just what's needed for a quick cooling off.
april-Cool. Because I know I won't drink coffee milkshakes any more. Too much time needed in the gym to burn off those calories!
katy-Green wine? Ooh, not sure about that one. ;)
swati-They're terrible, aren't they?
edi-Oh, my, that many? How about a low-fat homemade version instead? :)
anonymous-Thanks a lot! :)
overwhelmed-You're quite welcome!
anonymous-I don't have to go to CO to get one, do I? ;)
stella-Ooh, yeah, it does. :)
anali- Never had one? Then you've got to make one at home. Those are the rules.
pixie-Just make my McBlogga version instead! PS-Say "hi" to your dad for me. :)
gbvc-Apparently, they still sell them in Ireland!
elise-Based on some comments, it looks like some do, but I haven't tried in years. You know, there's an old commercial for one on You Tube with Uncle O'Grimacey. It was corny indeed. ;)
anonymous-Thanks for the info.
What a wonderful dad and the story that goes with this shake. Mint is not my favorite either but remembering my wisdom teeth coming out I can imagine this would actually be wonderful! And how grand for St Paddy day!
Oh what a fun St. Patrick's Day treat!
Aww, your Dad is such a sweetheart. Love the mint shake - great way to celebrate St Paddys Day.
I too have fond memories of the Shamrock Shake from back in the day, and every year I try to get one. I've never been told that they don't make them anymore, but rather, they're always "out." I was all but convinced that I had bad milkshake karma until two nights ago when I finally got one! It was in Bethesda, MD (close to DC), which I know is far for you to come, but I just wanted to let you know that they are alive and well.
My parents made Shamrock Shakes for us at home when I was younger, and we used a bit of light corn syrup and it made them taste JUST LIKE McD's milkshakes.
helen-Thanks! I really enjoyed writing it too.
tanna-Wisdom teeth, bad. Cold, minty shakes, good.
andrea-Your kids would probably like making them.
cakelaw-He was sweet and so were the shakes!
erin-Huh, corn syrup. Hadn't thought of that, so thanks, I'll try it! And thanks for dropping by.
mc bloggah shamrock shake...hahaha you are so funny heehee
It wasn't the Shamrock Shake it was the coffee shake that piqued my interest. I think that must be a Rhode Island thing though because I've never seen it. What is it with Rhode Island and coffee milkshakes? Or coffee cabinets, do people still call them cabinets?
When I was a kid my family spent a few weeks every summer in Rhode Island and coffee cabinets were always one of the highlights for me.
I think it's my first time here. What a lovely blog!
That is such a beautiful shade of green. I love it.
Oh the sweet childhood memories you bring back! The heck with cooking supper! I'm making a bunch of desserts after reading SHF!!
Stop by for a visit. I'll even save one of my baked apples for you! :D
Confessions of an Apron Queen: http://anapronaday.blogspot.com
aria- :)
julie-When my dad called about the post, he kept referring to it as a "cabinet." So, I think the answer is "yes." As for coffee, Rhode Islander's are crazy about coffee-flavored everything!
tbc-Welcome! And thanks!
apron queen-That sounds "sweet" to me.
Touch wood - all 4 my wisdom teeth seem to have poked up through my gums without any huge problems - which is a good thing given my dentist phobia!! But I also remember my mom making mint milkshakes and LOVING them while all the other kids were having strawberry ;-)
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They DO still make shamrock shakes at McDonald's in the US....at least in Pennsylvania!
I had my first Shamrock shake back in 1975 when I was helping put on a play. These shakes were a perfect break while helping build sets, mike, light, and eventually run spotlight. They became my favorite shake and the play I was working on, the Music Man, became my favorite play.
I think I have had at least one Shamrock shake every year since. From what I understand not everywhere caries them. I live in the mid Michigan area and they carry it but not every McDonald's here carries it. And even if one carried it one year they may not carry it the next. Also, for some unknown reason, they do not seem to advertise the Shamrock Shake. Here they usually carry the shake the entire month of March.
The recipie looks simple enough. I think I will need to try it out sometime. Thank you.
here in the area i live in (near Blue Mountains) all of the local McDonalds carry Shamrock shakes, i've already had 4 this year (since Feb. 15).
for a coffee shake, you can go to autocrat online, order the coffee syrup (don't get 'coffeetime') and make the milkshake as you usually would.
i miss them as well...
anonymous- Thanks for the heads up on the Autocrat coffee syrup. Oh, yum!
I have to try this one out.
I am a milkshakeholic (if there is such a thing) but I have tried this one. The mint flavor must be absolutely super !
Please share this with the bizymoms Fairfield community.
i love mcdonalds shamrock shakes. my mcdonalds still sells them. i think they are only in certain areas
Great story and great fun!
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