By Layne Liberg

It’s March once again, which means the river runs green and the most controversial item on the McDonald’s menu is back in full steam. The fabled Shamrock Shake has been the catalyst for discussion amongst food enthusiasts. Both the side that supports the Shamrock Shake and the side that despises it reside in Palisades High School.

The question is clear: what do Palisades students and teachers think of the Shamrock Shake? When asked her opinion on the Shamrock Shake, Mrs. Supplee laughed and said, “Once is good,” and any more than one Shamrock Shake would be too much for her. Mrs. Supplee’s response confirms the effectiveness of its exclusivity. By supplying the item only for a limited time, it causes people to enjoy it while it’s there and respect its absence for the rest of the year.  On a similar note, Carter Kilhefner, Junior, is an avid supporter of the Shamrock Shake. He quickly noted how he loves it and has a particular fondness for its “creamy” feel. On the other hand, Mrs. Hoferica took time to come up with her opinion. She stated it was “too artificial” for her liking. It seems to be evident that the Shamrock Shake has its supporters and deniers even within Palisades High School.  

To fully understand the Shamrock Shake, it is important to list off the ingredients. The ingredients include vanilla soft serve ice cream, mint syrup, and whipped cream, topped with a bright red cherry. Despite this very simple formula, it has been changed over the years. Customers can even request an Oreo Shamrock McFlurry, which adds crushed up Oreo bits into the mix. Another way to sweeten the deal is to ask for a shamrock chocolate twist, which adds chocolate syrup throughout the shake. It was originally more of a lemon-lime flavor before the iconic but infamous mint flavor was introduced. 

Expert on food marketing, John Lord, says that the Shamrock Shake is rare and has “a lot going for it” in terms of profit and enjoyability which is a clear indicator of its popularity. It’s true, its presence on the menu has been a staple since 2012 and has appeared decades before that as well. Although it’s hard to deny its influence on modern day influence, some folks despise the medicinal green with the taste to match. Of course, there are people who have an indifference towards silly matters such as these, but that does not dampen the resolve of the supporters and haters alike.  

All of these different opinions show the landscape of the debate. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to indulge in the Shamrock Shake or to pass it on to somebody else.