Get ready to welcome back the Shamrock Shake! The popular McDonald’s drink, which as its moniker suggests is typically released around St. Patrick’s Day in March, is back in stores for a second time this year.
Though the Irish holiday is months away, the Shamrock Shake’s premature return is the result of another beloved pastime: football.
As several Twitter users have noted, the holiday beverage has been spotted in a handful of McDonald’s restaurants this month – roughly half a year ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, which celebrates the patron saint of Ireland. According to Today Food, the drink is currently being sold exclusively at Golden Arches locations in Philadelphia as part of the chain’s “Stomp, Scream and Shake” campaign supporting the Eagles, the locale’s football team.
This marks the sixth year McDonald’s has partnered with the City of Brotherly Love’s NFL team to celebrate the official start of football season, and fans in Philly will have until October 18 to get their hands on an out-of-season Shamrock Shake.
Why was Philly chosen to be the site of the Shamrock Shake’s early return, you ask?
The pastel green beverage, which is made with vanilla soft serve ice cream, mint-flavored Shamrock Shake Syrup, whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, is reportedly the Eagles’ favorite shake.
A McDonald’s spokesperson told Today the drink also returned to Philly because of the company’s extensive ties to the city. Not only was the green concoction created in Philadelphia, (where it was originally known as the St. Patrick’s Day Milkshake), but the city is also the birthplace of the Ronald McDonald House charity, which provides temporary housing to pediatric cancer patients and their families during treatment. Furthermore, Shamrock Shakes were originally sold to help raise money for families caring for ailing children.
Not surprisingly, many Philly residents were pleased to be the center of Shamrock Shake madness. As one user put it: “This is not a drill.” Still, other consumers throughout the country wished the shake was currently being sold in more than one market.
Scroll down for more social media reactions:
McDonalds brought the Shamrock Shake out early for the Eagles!
— Barbara M. Rogers (@ayekaay_47) September 11, 2019
Reminder shamrock shake is back.
— chauncyBOT (@chauncybot) September 8, 2019
i want to drive to philly to get a shamrock shake
— sam (@doctorcoochie) September 11, 2019
Philly bringing back the Shamrock Shake for the Eagles season though 😭
— Mєℓαиιє✨ (@missblairotte) September 9, 2019
SAY PHILLY AINT THE BEST CITY IN AMERICA THEN WHY WE GET THE SHAMROCK SHAKE TWICE A YEAR GO BIRDS
— kay (@kaytypes) September 8, 2019
Philly brought back the shamrock shake for the eagles. Am I gonna have to say go birds to get one? Because I’m not above stooping that low
— 🌴Sunset Boulevardez🌴 (@Kissesfromdes) September 8, 2019
Tell Us: Are you a Shamrock Shake fan?
