Saint Patrick’s Day brings festive new flavors of milkshakes to McDonald’s and Arby’s. Which milkshake is more popular with Lowellville students?
In 2013 Arby’s collaborated with Andes mints as inspiration for their Saint Patrick’s Day themed milkshake. Due to its popularity, it has made a comeback for the months of February and March. This drink is made with vanilla ice cream that is blended with mint syrup and chocolate syrup and topped with whipped cream and crumbled Andes mints sprinkled on top.
The McDonald’s Shamrock Shake was developed in 1967 and was released to certain locations in 1970. The Shamrock Shake is made with vanilla ice cream mixed with mint syrup and topped with whipped cream. This milkshake is available from February 10th through March 23rd.
In a poll, Lowellville students voted on whether Arby’s or McDonald’s had a better mint milkshake. McDonald’s shake is by far more popular with 64.7% of the students voting for the McDonald’s milkshake and 35.3% of the students voting for Arby’s milkshake.
Seventh grader Jesse Coon said, “I chose Arby’s because every time I bought a McDonald’s milkshake they either messed it up or took too long to get it.”
Seventh grader Olivia Medvec said, “I prefer McDonald’s mint milkshake because it has the right amount of mint and not too much. Arby’s just doesn’t taste as good as McDonald’s.”
John Swanson, a sophmore, said, “The McDonald’s milkshake has a more minty flavor.”
Freshman Liam Goodman said, “The Arby’s milkshake has the perfect amount of mint in it for me while the McDonald’s one for me has a little too much
I visited McDonald’s and Arby’s to try both of these milkshakes for myself. I rate the Shamrock Shake a 5/10 because the mint taste was too strong. It was not balanced with the vanilla in the milkshake. I rate the Arby’s an 8/10 because the chocolate and mint flavors are well balanced. The Arby’s milkshake is also richer and creamier than the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake.
Both fast food chains offer good Saint Patrick’s Day drinks and are a great way to get people in the mood for the holiday. While McDonald’s and Arby’s aren’t launching any new spring drinks, Chick-fil-A just released Pineapple Dragonfruit Lemonade, Pineapple Dragonfruit Frosted Iced Tea, and S Pineapple Dragonfruit Sunjoy from March 17th- June 7th, 2025.