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It’s been around for more than 50 years, but the return of the Shamrock Shake seems to always be met with lots of fanfare. The Shamrock Shake is making its annual return to McDonald’s on Presidents Day, Feb. 20, and we’ve got all the information on this treat and its McFlurry counterpart.

This is one of the many McDonald’s specials that only come once a year, and while there aren’t many deals you can get to reduce the price of the shake, we’ll give you all the tips we know so you can adequately celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Plus, we’ve even got McDonald’s secret menu items you can only get when the Shamrock Shake is available. We’ll keep you updated on any McDonald’s deals that come up.

Here’s what you should know about McDonald’s Shamrock Shake:

 

The Shamrock Shake is available starting Feb. 20, 2023.

A person holding a shamrock shake in front of a McDonalds restaurant.

So what is a Shamrock Shake? In case you’ve been living under a Blarney stone for the past 50 years, the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is basically a vanilla shake mixed with the minty Shamrock syrup to create a the popular green, vanilla, minty taste.

The McDonald’s Shamrock Shake will be back on the menu starting Feb. 20 and is estimated to be available until a week after St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. Most McDonald’s locations will have a limited supply of Shamrock Shake syrup, and they won’t get any more of the product after St. Patrick’s Day.

Here’s when the Shamrock Shake was available in the past (basically you can count on it no later than Feb. 21 every year):

  • Feb. 21, 2022
  • Feb. 15, 2021
  • Feb. 19, 2020
  • Feb. 15, 2019
  • Feb. 21, 2018

 

You’ll pay $3 – $5 for a Shamrock Shake at McDonald’s.

hand holding mcdonalds shamrock shake and receipt at register

How much is admission to this minty treat? The Shamrock Shake is estimated to cost $2.99 for a small, $3.49 for a medium, and $3.99 for a large. Prices might differ from region to region, so make sure to contact your local McDonald’s or check the McDonald’s app for more information on their specific Shamrock Shake prices.

 

The Shamrock McFlurry will also make a comeback in 2023.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Shamrock Shake, McDonald’s released the Shamrock McFlurry. It combines the regular Oreo McFlurry flavor with the Shamrock Shake syrup to create an Oreo-mint McFlurry. This flavor has returned every year since 2020, and it’s estimated to come back in 2023.

Each Shamrock McFlurry will cost you around $3.99 depending on your location, and it’ll be available for as long as the Shamrock Shake.

 

 

The Shamrock Shake isn’t a low-calorie treat.

If you’re looking to reduce calories, the Shamrock Shake isn’t going to be your jam. It’s made with ice cream and mint-flavored syrup and topped with whipped cream, making it 460 calories. Unfortunately, the shakes at McDonald’s cannot have any alterations to make them vegan-friendly.

 

Use the Shamrock syrup to create various secret menu items.

someone holding mcdonalds iced coffee

With the McDonald’s Shamrock Syrup, you can unlock a few of McDonald’s secret menu items. Here are the exclusive items that you can get during the Shamrock season:

Shamrock Iced Coffee: $2.39

  • Order an iced coffee (reg. $1.79)
  • Add 1 – 2 pumps of Shamrock Shake Syrup (reg. $0.30 – $0.60)

McLeprechaun Shake: $5.98

  • Order a small Chocolate Shake (reg. $2.99)
  • Order a small Shamrock Shake (reg. $2.99)
  • Ask for a medium cup
  • Add a 1:1 ratio of Chocolate and Shamrock Shake into the medium cup

 

Need a Shamrock Shake year-round? Make your own with this recipe.

mcdonalds shamrock shake DIY dupe with starbucks frappuccino

While you won’t be able to get a Shamrock Shake every day at McDonald’s, you can use the Starbucks secret menu to create a similar version of the Shamrock Shake. Here’s how you can order your own Shamrock Shake Frappuccino:

  • Order a Grande Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino ($5.65)
  • One and a half scoops of Matcha (no charge)
  • No classic syrup (no charge)
  • 2 pumps of peppermint (no charge)
  • 1.5 scoops of vanilla bean powder (no charge)

 

Here’s where you can get even more St. Patrick’s Day exclusive foods.

The McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is just the beginning of the exclusive St. Patrick’s Day drinks and treats that you can get. Here’s a list of everything you can get for St. Patrick’s Day:

  • Dairy Queen Mint Oreo Blizzard (reg. $4.09): A similar flavor to the Shamrock McFlurry, this exclusive Blizzard is available in the month of March.
  • Dunkin Donuts Irish Cream Swirl (reg. $4.75): As a part of the Dunkin Donuts Spring menu, Dunkin is releasing a St. Patrick’s Day-themed drink for you to enjoy.
  • Einstein Bros. Bagels Green Schmear (reg. $1.59): At the same price as the regular schmear, Einstein Bros. celebrates St. Patrick’s Day by giving us a green version of their original schmear.
  • Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed Green Dozens (reg. $14.99): Krispy Kreme sells an exclusive green version of the Original Dozens on St. Patrick’s Day.

 

Make your own Shamrock Shake at home with this simple recipe.

If you want to make your own Shamrock Shake at home, you should try out this recipe. It combines all the elements of the Shamrock Shake in the convenience of your own home. Here’s how you can make it:

  • Blend 2 cups of vanilla ice cream, 1¼ cup of milk, ¼ teaspoon of mint extract, and 9 drops of green food coloring in a blender.
  • Decorate the top with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and decorator sugar to your liking.

 

McDonald's Shamrock Shake Returns Feb. 20 — What You Should Know