Photo by Parker Kilen

The Arby’s Andes Mint Choclate Shake and the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

Mint Milkshakes have always been popular annual traditions around St. Patrick’s Day, especially at McDonald’s and Arby’s.

McDonald’s, has their traditional Shamrock Shakes. As for Arby’s, they do their Andes Mint Chocolate Shakes. Both begin selling in early February and run through the end of March. The McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is a creamier, more minty, and more vanilla-flavored milkshake. Whereas the Arby’s Andes Mint Chocolate Shake is a fluffier, light-vanilla, and mint chocolate flavored milkshake, with you guessed it, Andes mint chocolate chips. Both shakes are topped with whipped cream.

The McDonald’s Shamrock Shake was first created in 1967 by Hal Rosen, a Connecticut McDonald’s owner and operator, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. It later debuted in more locations across the U.S. in 1970 and has been a popular annual treat since. If you are someone who likes creamier, minty, and more vanilla-like shakes, the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is your type.

The Arby’s Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Shake began in 2013, as an Arby’s collaboration with Andes, in which they add Andes mint chocolate chips onto the whipped cream of the restaurant’s already established mint chocolate shakes. According to Bruce Gesell, an employee of the local Arby’s by Lindenwood, since Arby’s has brought out the Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Shake this year, it has been one of the company’s most popular milkshakes.

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“Our most popular milkshake is still the Jamocha shake, but [the mint chocolate shake] is still perceived pretty well,” Gesell said. “It’s been our second or third most bought milkshake since it’s been out.”

If you are someone who likes lighter mint and more chocolatey shakes, as well as liking Andes mints, the Arby’s Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Shake is your type.

Needless to say, the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake and the Arby’s Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Shake are two very popular and delicious St. Patrick’s Day treats. Tthe next time you are at a McDonald’s or an Arby’s around St. Patrick’s Day, never be afraid to give either one a shot.