The Shamrock Shake returns

Now that Valentine's Day has passed, we are firmly in the midst of Shamrock Shake season. From now until March 25 you can - if you choose - imbibe one of these bright green concoctions. To quote Hank Hill: "Dang, sister - get me my keys!"

Personally, I love Shamrock Shakes, even though they make me feel queasy for hours after having one. (What can I say? We have an abusive relationship.) Chowhound's food critic recently described them as "divisive," and gave it a tentative thumbs up, although he added that he "can't really endorse something that's going to make so many people justifiably angry."

The Shamrock Shake is there with cilantro, as far as the passion you encounter on both sides of the aisle. Lovers describe it as being a light mint flavor tempered heavily with vanilla (and sugar; so much sugar). Haters describe it as "a toothpaste shake." Both are correct.

In years past, the Shamrock Shake had an element of challenge to it. Not all McDonald's restaurants served it. The offerings varied from city to city, county to county, state to state. I remember one year in Seattle, only ONE McDonald's in the entire city carried them. (The small one with the steep, tiny parking lot, just a few blocks north of University Village.) Websites dedicated to recording reports and tracking the shake's location flourished.

But in 2012, McDonald's made a shocking announcement: As of that year, every McDonald's will carry the Shamrock Shake every year. Presumably this was part of their effort to bolster the performance of their McCafe feature.

At the same time, they McCafe'd-up the shake, serving it in a transparent cup with a dome lid, and topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Did they bump up the green color once it was served in a clear plastic cup, or was it just my imagination? Or had it really been that green all along, and we never noticed through the waxed paper? Many people swear they changed the taste at the same time, but I'll be honest with you, I just can't tell.

Image courtesy Flickr/Strupey