Grimace Shake: McDonald’s Viral Berry Shake
McDonald’s Grimace Shake was launched as a way to pay tribute to Grimace, the character beloved by many, which also gained popularity with the internet very quickly. As a seasonal berry shake, the drink grew in popularity as soon as it was introduced because of its bright purple color and its special flavour. Here’s everything about the Grimace Shake that you would like to know.
The Origins of Grimace and His Shake
Since his introduction in the 1970s, Grimace has served as one of the most enduring and well-known figures of the McDonald’s franchise and its marketing strategy.
Grimace, a lazy oaf who was blue in appearance and large in size, was actually conceived as a “milkshake thief” who would climb trees to steal milkshakes. But soon after, he was restored as a charming buffoon who instantly made the fans fall in love with his innocent, childlike spirit.
His joyful, childlike personality made him a favourite among fans, making Grimace a symbol of fun and nostalgia.
As part of the celebration of Grimace’s 52nd birthday in 2023, McDonald’s released a new meal on the US market with Grimace as its theme character, which included the Grimace Shake.
The shake offered McDonald’s French desserts immersed in thick cream with a sweet purple hue representing Grimace’s character.
What Does the Grimace Shake Taste Like?
Some have said that the Grimace Shake taste is akin to a delicious blend of various sweet-tasting berries (most notably blueberry and raspberry) and McDonald’s trademark vanilla base. It is finished with whipped cream on top to enhance the sweetness as well as flavour.
Most of the people have been quite appreciative of the interesting frosty shake to hit the market. It seems to appeal to both the young and old crowd looking for something with a good taste but not too much sweetness.
The Viral “Grimace Shake” Trend on TikTok
Pretty much right after its launch, the Grimace Shake went viral for all the right and unexpected reasons on social media platforms, especially Tik Tok. The users contributed to an amusing trend in which they finished the shake and followed it up with a grim but humorous performance that showed how the milkshake in the cup had indeed changed them or in some way haunted them.
Videos showed users sprawled out on the ground with purple shake bits around them or performing lavish acts depicting the powers that the Grimace Shake possessed.
How to Make a Grimace Shake at Home
The Grimace Shake’s popularity didn’t fade even after it left McDonald’s menu. Many fans began experimenting with recipes to recreate the berry-flavoured shake at home. Here’s an easy DIY recipe to capture the spirit of Grimace:
Ingredients:
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/2 cup blueberries (or blueberry-flavoured syrup)
- A handful of raspberries (optional, for color and taste)
- Whipped cream for topping
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine berries, vanilla ice cream and milk and mix them until you are satisfied. If you wish to make it any thicker, adjust the amount of milk accordingly.
- Grind until the mixture has an appearance resembling that of the color of Grimace.
- After which, pour it into a glass, sprinkle whipped cream, and have a pleasing shake inspired by Grimace.
This DIY version allows fans to keep the Grimace Shake alive at home and add their own twist to the flavours.
Why the Grimace Shake Resurged in Popularity
The success of the Grimace Shake can be attributed to several factors:
- Nostalgia: The character Grimace has been featured in the narratives of the McDonald’s brand almost for its entire existence and so the fans would have some experience with Grimace
- Uniqueness: In addition to that, a bright shade of purple and a forbidden juicy flavour were also not found anywhere else on the planet, attracting a large audience thanks to social media.
- Social Media Influence: The viral TikTok trend turned the Grimace Shake into a cultural meme, making it something of a phenomenon. People who may not have initially been interested in trying it became curious due to the widespread jokes and videos.
- Limited Availability: As with many seasonal McDonald’s items, the Grimace Shake’s limited availability made it all the more appealing to fans, creating a sense of urgency to try it before it was gone.
Will the Grimace Shake Return?
There is nothing confirmed if the Grimace Shake will make a return from the official McDonald’s management. Nevertheless, their success rate simply implies that they will be reintroduced seasonally, just like the McRib or the Shamrock Shake.
Considering the overwhelming social media sentiment, many fans are hopeful that they’ll see the Grimace Shake back on the menu for future celebrations.
Conclusion
The Grimace Shake, which came only for a limited period/order, had metamorphosed into an event, emphasising the ingredients of nostalgia, creativity, and social media’s impact.
It had great ingredients like the berry-flavoured liquid, its bright color and the comedic videos it led them to create. It created an impression about itself, which even today’s population of fans appreciates.
