Surprise! The Shamrock Shake Is Already Back at McDonald's

Is this the first true sign of spring?

<p>McDonalds</p>

McDonalds

How do you define a lucky day? Is it one where you wake up feeling energized and ready to take on anything and everything? Is it a day when every traffic light is green, every interaction you have is positive, and the barista at your go-to coffee spot gives you your usual for free? Or is it the day when the McDonald's Shamrock Shakes make their annual return to the menu?

If you're in the latter category — and who wouldn't be — then Monday was your best day of the year so far. On February 5, the Shamrock Shake and its seasonal sibling, the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry, both returned to McDonald's restaurants nationwide for a limited time. The fast food giant surprised everyone this year by bringing both Shamrocks back a little earlier than usual; last year, they didn't arrive until February 20, and two years ago, they rolled in on February 21.

Related: McDonald's Is Bringing Back Its Biggest Burgers Ever

That means you have two extra weeks to order the Shamrock Shake or McFlurry this year. And just to jog your memory, the Shamrock Shake is a slightly minty combo of vanilla soft serve, mint syrup, and a sweet whipped topping, while the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry adds crushed Oreo cookie pieces to the OG Shamrock Shake. McDonald's hasn't said how long these two pale green faves will be available, but they typically go back into the McArchives after St. Patrick's Day in mid-March.

In a post on the r/McDonaldsEmployees subreddit, a worker who's about to work through his or her first Shamrock SZN asked some Shamrock vets for their advice on getting through it. "The shake is pretty popular, so expect to get a lot of orders for it," one person responded. "The McFlurry is not as popular, but it's also easy to make. If you like mint chocolate then I 100% recommend trying an iced mocha with like a pump or two of the green syrup in it. It's delicious."

Another added that "the shamrock syrup will also stain everything and everyone you love," while a third team member wrote that the shake's yearly return "makes me feel like spring is a little closer."

You may also be able to get the limited-edition Double Big Mac with your first Shamrock Shake of the year. The massive sandwich — which comes with four beef patties instead of the Regular Big Mac's two — debuted on January 25 and is still available at some McDonald's locations. (I can personally confirm that I ordered the Double Big Mac late last week.)

But a Double Big Mac and a Shamrock Shake? That sounds like a lucky day to me. 

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