Macca’s drink sold for 55 years overseas finally available in Aus

A cult international McDonald’s item is available in Australia for the first time ever – 55 years after it was first launched in the US.

A “legendary” McDonald’s drink that has been sold for 55 years overseas has finally landed on Australian shores.

For the first time ever, the Shamrock Shake – a bright green drink made of milk, a special mint syrup and whipped cream – is available Down Under.

The thickshake was first created by Hal Rosen in 1967, a McDonald’s franchisee, in celebration of St Patrick’s Day, an Irish celebration that garners a huge parade in the US.

Three years later, in 1970, it was released for the first time and has gone on to become an annual menu item.

To mark its 55th anniversary, the minty milkshake is being released in several international markets, with Aussie’s reporting the limited-edition release “hits the spot”.

Australia’s favourite foodies were quick to pass their verdict on the bright green beverage, with one of the first being @AngeEats.

“I love things all mint … anything that tastes like toothpaste. Let’s give it a try. $7 for a large,” he said on TikTok, concluding “it hit the spot for breakfast”.

“Try it today, you won’t be disappointed,” he said.

Meanwhile, fellow food content creator @Dub.Eats.Everything also taste-tested it, declaring that he didn’t even like mint “but this is good”.

“If you add Oreos to this, it would be fire. But it’s good on its own,” he added.

Other social media users were keen on it too.

“Oh hell yeah, I love mint,” one said.

Another added: “Oh I was hoping it was lime.”

“Yummy. Definitely me,” another social media user commented.

Macca's has brought the Shamrock Shake to Australia for the first time. Picture: TikTok/@angeeats

The item has been available in other parts of the world before, typically around St Patrick’s Day, and has an extensive fanbase who look forward to its limited-run every year.

“When the Shamrock Shake makes its annual appearance across the globe, the response we get from fans here in Australia is overwhelming,” Amanda Nakad, marketing director of menu and brand at McDonald’s Australia, said.

“So now we’re painting the town green. Head into your local restaurant right now to give this iconic shake a go before it’s gone.”

Many were fans of the drink. Picture: TikTok/@dub.eats.everything

Last year, customers went mental when the Grimace Shake finally came to Australia.

The lilac shake, a tribute to the iconic fictional character that featured in the original McDonald’s adverts alongside Ronald McDonald back in the 1960s, was launched alongside a Grimace Meal in the US back in July 2023.

After spotting the special beverage on social media, many Aussies declared they were keen to try the berry-flavoured concoction.

Then several Aussie food bloggers claimed the Grimace Shake would finally be sold in restaurants across the country at the end of the year, though Macca’s remained tight-lipped on the claims. It wasn’t until October 4 that it was finally available.

“Yes, finally,” remarked one fan.

“Definitely trying,” said someone else.

While one simply expressed their shock at the announcement by writing: “GASPS.”

Originally published as Macca’s drink sold for 55 years overseas finally available in Aus