The Shamrock Shake is back at McDonalds. Grab one and support a local charity this year.
Shamrock season is back. The classic Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry returned this week, and you can now get one at any of the dozens of McDonalds across the Des Moines metro.
What is the Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry?
Introduced in 1970, the Shamrock Shake is made with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, artificially flavored minty green syrup and whipped topping (about $3-$4 depending on size).
Joining the Shamrock Shake on the menu for a limited time: the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry (about $4; prices are set by individual restaurants), which comes with crushed Oreo cookies. That drink debuted in February 2020 in honor of the Shamrock Shake's 50th anniversary.
If you are counting calories, a medium Shamrock Shake has 540 calories. That compares to 570 calories for a medium vanilla shake and 650 for a chocolate shake. An Oreo Shamrock McFlurry has 560 calories, compared to a regular Oreo McFlurry with 510 calories.
How can you support a Des Moines charity and get a Shamrock Shake?
This year, 25 cents of each Shamrock Shake or Shamrock McFlurry purchase will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Iowa.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa offers families free housing while a child is being treated at a nearby hospital, according to its website. It has houses in Des Moines near Blank Children's Hospital and MercyOne Children's Hospital.
USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider contributed to this report.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: When do Shamrock Shakes come out? Where to find them in Des Moines.
