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Shamrock Shake Facts & Trivia

March 15, 2013 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I do believe I’m one of the first people to ever try a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. I grew up in East Hartford Connecticut and my Dad loved mint, everything mint. As a little girl going to McDonald’s was a treat, not an every day occurrence. Until we were ten we were not allowed to drink pop or soda so my parents ordered shakes for us at McDonald’s.

I Love Shamrock Shakes
My third shake of the season…

Normally I got strawberry, but I have vague memories of drinking from my Dad’s straw a tangy green shake, and later it was a yearly trip to get a green shake. There was a pony ride in Enfield during the 1970’s and we would stop at the local Mickey D’s for french fries and a shake.

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Shake Your Shamrocks cute and sexy t-shirt for men and womenShake Your Shamrocks cute and sexy t-shirt for men and women

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Shamrock Shake Facts and Trivia

  1. Invented at an Enfield Connecticut McDonald’s  in 1966 (although the McDonald’s website claims 1970)
  2. First called the St Patrick’s Day Green Milkshake
  3. Started selling nationally in 1970 in response to a Ronald McDonald House fundraiser
  4. Calorie Content: 420, Small, 740 Medium, 820 Large (but who really cares?)
  5. Large Shamrock shake provides up to 60% of your daily calcium requirement (oh yeah!)
  6. Available only for a limited time around St. Patrick’s Day
  7. A Shamrock sundae was proposed and tried in 1980, but was a failure (wonder why?)
  8. You can post  Shamrock Shake sightings and  reviews at  Shamrock Shake Locator

If you can’t find a Shamrock Shake at your local Mickey D’s, or it’s not  St. Patricks  season, here is a recipe to make your own minty shake. But, it’s not the same memory or experience. There is just something about those McDonalds straws and sharing with your Dad when you’re six you can’t duplicate.

Shamrock Shake recipe

* 2 cups vanilla ice cream
* 1 cup milk
* 1/4 cup half & half
* 1/2 teaspoon mint extract (spearmint, not peppermint)
* 8 drops green food coloring

Who remembers the old McDonald commercials from the 1970’s, they were a lot more fun back then. McDonalds was a rare treat, they weren’t on every corner, their food was fresh, hamburgers grilled, buns toasted and real chicken in their chicken McNuggets, without the over processing.

Going to Mickie D’s was a destination, and they were the king of fast food. It is still a guilty pleasure of mine and I even have a Grimace glass.

Ladies Mighty Fine McDonalds Do The Shamrock ShakeVintage 1977 McDonalds 6 inch Grimace Glass

Eat and Drink Irish on St. Patricks Day

Ok, I get it, Shamrocks Shakes are NOT irish and not traditional Irish food to eat and drink on St. Patricks Day. My husband loves Corned Beef, but I’m always on the lookout for something a little sweeter, more dessert themed and of course “green” for the Luck of the Irish flair.

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A Catered St. Patrick's Day (A Mystery With Recipes)A Catered St. Patrick’s Day (A Mystery With Recipes)St. Patrick's Day Recipes: 43 Fantastically Fun, Entertaining and Super Tasty St. Paddy's Day Foods!St. Patrick’s Day Recipes: 43 Fantastically Fun, Entertaining and Super Tasty St. Paddy’s Day Foods!IRISH TREATS - 30 Dessert Recipes for St. Patrick's Day or Whenever You Want to Celebrate Like the IrishIRISH TREATS – 30 Dessert Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day or Whenever You Want to Celebrate Like the IrishIRISH DRINKS - 27 Cocktail Recipes for St. Patrick's Day or Whenever You Want to Celebrate Like the IrishIRISH DRINKS – 27 Cocktail Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day or Whenever You Want to Celebrate Like the Irish

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More Information About McDonalds Shamrock Shakes

What’s really in McDonald’s Shamrock Shake?

With more than 60 million sold, it generates almost as much buzz as the popular McRib sandwich. The Shamrock Shake–the bright green sweet treat that signals that St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner– is another long-time McDonald’s cult …

How To Make A Shamrock Shake Faster Than You Can Drive To McDs

Planning to get your green on for St. Patrick’s Day? Don’t stop with your head-to-toe solid color ensemble. Take all that bright green fun into the kitchen too. This holiday is the perfect opportunity to play with your food, and the fact that you have …

Shamrock Shake 101: The popular St. Patrick’s Day drink wasn’t always minty …

Millennials know the Shamrock Shake only as the McDonald’s minty vanilla concoction that it’s been since 1983. Things weren’t always so creamy and dreamy. The Shamrock Shake dates back to 1970 and started out more like a thick 7Up, flavored with …

When Will The Shamrock Shake Be Available? Get Ready For Some Minty Amazingness

Long before the introduction of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, there was one seasonal drink that was eagerly awaited every year: the Shamrock Shake. Released around St. Patrick’s Day every year, this minty vanilla confection with its pastel green hue is one …

We tried McDonald’s classic Shamrock Shake next to its biggest competition …

The Shamrock Shake has amassed a cult following since its inception in 1970; the sight of the minty green shake is a sure harbinger of spring and vaguely Irish themed kitsch. But with Burger King’s release of the Oreo Irish Mint Shake, McDonald’s reign …

Shamrock Shake Dupes: How To Make McDonald’s Famous Green Milkshake At Home

The return of McDonald’s beloved Shamrock Shake usually signals that spring is just around the corner, and it is finally that time of year again! McDonald’s announced the return of the shake on Feb. 9. The Shamrock Shake is one of the fast food chain’s …

Shamrock Shake: Delectably delicious or deceivingly dangerous?

Each year during the St. Patrick’s Day season, McDonald’s brings back that heavenly green minty milkshake called the McCafe Shamrock Shake. These delicious milkshakes are only around for a few short weeks; meanwhile the claims of why you should not …

Filed Under: Family, Food Tagged With: fast food, Food, Holiday, mcdonald, memories, milk shake, milkshake, restaurants, Saint Patrick's Day, shamrock shake, St Patricks Day, Twitter

This is Truly the Best Margarita Recipe, Ever!

October 15, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Best margarita recipe ever, seriously this homemade margarita recipe iw the best and you will make it over and over again.How to Make the Perfect Top Shelf Margarita

The title claims to be the BEST Margarita recipe ever, and this might seem like bragging, but I’m not.

It truly is this good. This recipe is not “just” another top-shelf Margarita recipe, but one served in a national restaurant chain. Which one? I’ll get to that, but first a little history.

I really enjoy a good Margarita, but ordering them in a bar, or restaurant is like rolling the dice and taking a chance. Shaken or stirred, on the rock, or crushed?

Margarita Salt Rimmer by Tezzorio, Glass Rimmer with 3 Compartments and Sponge, Sugar and Salt BarMargarita Salt Rimmer by Tezzorio, Glass Rimmer with 3 Compartments and Sponge, Sugar and Salt BarLibbey Cancun 7-piece Margarita Glass Entertainment SetLibbey Cancun 7-piece Margarita Glass Entertainment Set

Most of the time the drinks come from a premixed package and range from horribly sour, super strong and even bitter. So, I don’t order them unless I have a good recommendation. Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland is one that will put you on your back after just one.

So where does this Top Shelf Recipe hail? Of all places, Red Lobster! I can’t believe it either.

My husband ordered the Margarita and I ordered a peach sweet something drink. Like all good husbands, he asked if I would like a sip. Sure why not. I was more than surprised. It was a mix of sour, sweet, and salty all wrapped into one lip-smacking drink.

Top Shelf Margarita Recipe from Red Lobster
Top Shelf Margarita Recipe from Red Lobster

Compliment the Waiter and Bartender

So impressed, I asked our waiter if the bartender would share the recipe. When he returned we were told the main ingredient was a proprietary sour mix. Compliments can do wonders and I was full of them.

I pretty much begged that I would be willing to buy the sour mix, it was so good, the best margarita I had ever had. Do believe this helped, that and it was our waiters second day on the job and I think he was trying to score points with the staff.

The bartender came to the table, thanked us for the compliments and proceeded to tell us the mix was a concentrate and made quite a bit. I didn’t care I said. “I’d love to be able to buy some if I could.” So, for $10.00 I walked out with a quart of Red Lobster Sour Mix, the recipe, and a smile on my face.

Next stop, Hy-Vee to pick up the ingredients. ($100 later!!!, mix was the cheap part) There is a reason it’s called “Top Shelf”

I have mixed margaritas with various friends during the past year. They all start off skeptical about the accolades I pile on, but as I watch them take the first sip their faces light up and they all agree, it’s the best margarita they have ever had.

Did you know: National Margarita Day is FEBRUARY 22?

So, here you go, the recipe, compliments of Red Lobster.

Top Shelf Margarita Recipe

Margarita Ingredients

  • 11 oz Red Lobster Sour Mix (pre-mixed 1 part mix, 3 parts water)
  • 1 1/2 shots Sausza Gold Tequila
  • 1 shot Triple Sec
  • 1/2 shot Grand Marnier
  • Margarita salt on rim to taste.
  • Ice, crushed or cubes
  • Lime if you have ’em

Dip glasses upside down in about quarter to a half inch of water, then in margarita salt.

Hint: Don’t use the “fancy” plastic Margarita glasses from Walmart and the like. The salt will NOT stick to them. Talk about disappointing.

Mexican Margarita Glasses & Pitcher set with display rack, Hand Blown, Hand Painted, mixed colors w/ various flowers, 14 OZMexican Margarita Glasses & Pitcher set with display rack, Hand Blown, Hand Painted, mixed colors w/ various flowers, 14 OZLibbey 7-Piece Cancun Margarita Pitcher and Glassware SetLibbey 7-Piece Cancun Margarita Pitcher and Glassware SetDesigns by Lolita “Margaritaville” Hand-painted Artisan Margarita Glass, 12 oz.Designs by Lolita “Margaritaville” Hand-painted Artisan Margarita Glass, 12 oz.Mexican Glasses and Pitcher, Blue Rim 10 Oz (Set of 4 Glasses) Bola or Bowl Shape PitcherMexican Glasses and Pitcher, Blue Rim 10 Oz (Set of 4 Glasses) Bola or Bowl Shape Pitcher

How to Mix Margaritas for a Crowd

I rarely drink this by myself, it’s always better to share. So I mix margaritas by the pitcher. For instance, if I have one of my best friends over for a summer night drinks I’ll multiply this by four (two drinks a piece) and mix in a pitcher.

  • 44 oz of total mix (11 oz of Red Lobster sour mix, 33 oz water)
  • 6 shots Sausza Gold Tequila
  • 4 shots Triple Sec
  • 2 shots Grand Marnier
  • Margarita Salt Where’s the salt, where’s the Goshdarn salt!! (editted,…lol)

In a couple of months since Valentines Day (the occasion for our date) I have gone through a gallon of mix, that’s four gallons of margaritas for anyone who would like to know. But they have been shared with friends, as they should. So Enjoy!!!

Make Your Own Margarita Sour Mix

If you don’t have a Red Lobster near you or one that will sell you the mix. You can make it yourself. This is the copycat Red Lobster Margarita recipe for a pitcher of margaritas.

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup sugar (or 1 tsp stevia concentrate)
  • 3 3/4 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups Sausza Gold Tequila
  • 3/4 cup Triple Sec
  • 3/8 cup Grand Marnier

This will make almost a half gallon of margarita mix. Perfect for an afternoon of margaritas with friends.

Margarita Items and Supplies

What do you need to have a Margarita party: sour mix, alcohol, of course, salt, REAL glasses because Margarita salt won’t stick to plastic, and of friends to share.

Fat Mama's Knock-You Naked Margarita MixFat Mama’s Knock-You Naked Margarita MixCheck PriceRokz Design Group Infused Margarita Salt, Lime, 4 OunceRokz Design Group Infused Margarita Salt, Lime, 4 OunceCheck PriceArtland 5 Piece Mingle Margarita Glass set and 1 Pitcher (Set of 4), AssortmentArtland 5 Piece Mingle Margarita Glass set and 1 Pitcher (Set of 4), AssortmentCheck PriceMargaritaville Key West Frozen Concoction Maker with Easy Pour Jar and XL Ice Reservoir, DM1900Margaritaville Key West Frozen Concoction Maker with Easy Pour Jar and XL Ice Reservoir, DM1900Check PriceMargarita Mix - Best Powder Cocktail - Natural Ingredients - Tod's Natural Cocktail Mix (Margarita, 6-pack)Margarita Mix – Best Powder Cocktail – Natural Ingredients – Tod’s Natural Cocktail Mix (Margarita, 6-pack)Check PriceNEXT Margarita Mix, No Added Sugar, Sweetened by Monk Fruit, Hydrating SuperfoodsNEXT Margarita Mix, No Added Sugar, Sweetened by Monk Fruit, Hydrating SuperfoodsCheck Price

So there are your official Red Lobster recipes for their top-shelf margarita and if you are wanting more copycat Red Lobster recipes let me know. I also love their lobster bisque and cheddar biscuits.

What is your favorite Margarita recipe?

Do you like sweet, sour, salty or any of the above?

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: alcoholic drinks, dining, drink, Home, Margarita, margarita recipe, mexican drinks, party recipes, recipe, Red Lobster, restaurants, Sour mix, Triple sec

Friendly’s Restaurant

July 13, 2010 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I’m not too passionate about restaurants, but Friendly’s restaurant is my exception.  Give me two minutes of your time and I’ll tell you why.

For those of you that live west of New York you may not understand the reason why I love a restaurant and why it holds a dear place in my heart. The credit goes to my teenage years in the 1980’s. Every outing with high school friends ended with a trip to Friendly’s: the beach, tubing, movies, you name it Friendly’s was involved. Maybe it’s the reason I lost 20 pounds my freshman year of college, we didn’t have Friendly’s.

Friendly's Sundae To Go
Friendly’s Chocolate Chip Sundae To Go

Friendly’s is a New England tradition, the ice cream parlor around the corner where young and old can met in the corner booth, order a Happy Endings Sundae for 99 cents and have it served in a real glass sundae glass with whipped cream and a cherry on top.  Don’t know if Happy Ending are still 99 cents, but in the 1980’s they were just the right price. Some of my friends liked Fribbles better. (No, not Tribbles, but I wonder where they got the name) Fribbles are deliciously rich shakes, that almost need a spoon.

Get extra spoons though because with my group of friends sharing wasn’t an option, it was mandatory. Sharing sundaes is such a tradition at the restaurant that Sharable Sundaes were created, starting with the Jim Dandy

Sure, they serve burgers, salads, fries and the like, but who really goes to Friendly’s for real food when they have a whole menu dedicated to sundaes! I loved their ice cream sundaes so much I asked for a sundae menu to take to college.

Maybe it was the name that is inviting? It just sounds like a place for friends, family and good times. As a marketing geek I love the concept from start to finish. The name, the friendly setting, and the branding of the company has transcended generations and miles. I recently met someone in Nebraska who misses the sundaes as much as me and we are both fans of the Friendly’s facebook page. With over 300,000 fans there are a lot of people that love Friendly’s. I even read their Mom’s Just Want to Have Fun blog

Friendly's ice cream is best shared with friends. The Friendly's restaurant chain can be found east of Pennslyvania in the United States and they are best know for their sundaes

So now I marry my food passion with social media passion. Every Friendly’s Facebook  post receives dozens, if not hundreds, of comments and likes. Talk about a social media success! But it proves that online social media is just not a stand alone marketing method, it starts with “real” social media with “real” customers who have a social connection. There is a Friendly’s Twitter page if you’re into Twitter.

Friendly’s ice cream couldn’t be more social in the physical world, it’s all about interacting with friends. A perfect formula that transcends into online social media.  Excitement and new products are created, in this case new ice cream flavors and new salads. Social media is a great place to listen to your audience, and comments about store locations, hours, and complaints are posted as well. What a great way to listen to your customers. Every now and then the CEO of Friendly’s get’s on to chat. I’m campaigning for a Friendly’s restaurant in Nebraska, don’t know if I’ll get it, but it’s fun asking. I love it!

No reunion with friends is complete without a trip to Friendly's restaurant
No reunion with friends is complete without a trip to Friendly’s restaurant

The only advantage to not having a neighborhood Friendly’s is I can still walk through the doorway without walking sideways. Metabolism after age forty is a terrible thing. But when I go home I still gather with my best friends and order the mint chocolate chip cookie sundae shared over laughter and tears all those years ago.

Yes, longer than 2 minutes, but it got you craving for ice cream didn’t it.

If you like to make your own ice cream then head over to my ice cream recipe article.

More Friendly’s Articles

Are You a Good Marketer or a Great One? – bly.com blog … – Bob Bly

Friendly?s restaurant, regardless of what you think of their food, is often a great marketer. Yes, when you walk in, there are always specials, enticing you to buy more during your visit. These specials often include an ice cream …
Save Huge By Cutting Out Friendly’s Printable Coupons Inside your …

You could just be shocked at how many people throw their friendly s ice cream coupons away. You may determine to shop distinct retailers for savings instead of going to one shop at a time. Dollar shops usually can help you save an excellent …

Do you have any favorite Friendly’s restaurant memories?

Let me know by leaving a comment believe, or if you liked this article share it with others. You know the share buttons, click on one.

Filed Under: Food, Social media Tagged With: dessert, dining, Food, friendlies restaurant, friendly s restaurant, Friendly's, ice cream, new england, restaurant review, restaurants, snack

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