Everyone has at least heard about McDonald’s famous “Shamrock Shake,” that wonderful minty green beverage that’s only available around St. Patrick’s Day. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the coveted treat. Well, this St. Patty’s season, McDonald’s has really outdone themselves with their new Oreo Shamrock McFlurry.

     The dessert is a standard McFlurry with a generous amount of green dye and flavoring.The McFlurry is the color of what one would think hazardous waste would look like and the crushed Oreos create little scattered black flecks. One would think there would be some sort of flourish, perhaps whipped cream on top or something a little jazzier than mint flavored vanilla ice cream in a cup, but that’s exactly what you’re getting. 

      The particular McFlurry I got was very poorly mixed, with almost all the Shamrock syrup at the top, so after jabbing at and attempting to mix the frozen treat with the plastic spoon provided, I arrived at a consistent color of toxic green, and I finally took a bite. The blast of sugar was expected and not unwelcome, but what came after was utter disappointment. The mint flavoring was so artificial it was barely detectable as mint, I wouldn’t have known it was supposed to be mint if it wasn’t labeled as a “Shamrock McFlurry.” There was absolutely nothing natural or smooth about the mint flavoring, it was artificial and it wanted you to know it. The aftertaste tasted like chemicals and I forgot what I had just eaten was mint. After just taking a few bites, it was enough, the Oreo shamrock McFlurry had already launched a full scale assault on my stomach and I couldn’t eat any more.

      I will say, however, that the crunch of the Oreos in the McFlurry was a welcome taste in between the sea of chemical mint. The only saving grace for this disaster of a treat, was the sprinkling of bits and pieces of the delightful Oreo cookies.

     After 50 years of having the iconic Shamrock Shake, McDonald’s wanted to try to sell something new. In theory, this Oreo and Shamrock combination should have been a no-brainer, but it was executed poorly. This is definitely a different experience to the Shamrock Shake we all know and love.