Latest news with #GrimaceShake
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
McDonald's nostalgic new Happy Meal comes with wacky, Grimace-inspired shake — and fans are confused: ‘Tastes as bad as it looks'
McDonald's is shaking things up. The fast-food chain launched the new 'McDonaldland Meal' — inspired by the 'mystical world' they first created way back in 1971 — on August 12, and with it came the brand new Mt. McDonaldland Shake. The limited-edition pink-and-blue Mt. McDonaldland Shake, an ode to the blue lava and pink clouds of the mythical volcano in Grimace's hometown, was only described as a 'secret concoction' of flavors. Advertisement Now, people are discovering what it actually tastes like. A spokesperson for McDonald's revealed some more information about its flavor profile to Today. 'The Mt. McDonaldland Shake features McDonald's signature soft serve and berry flavors and has a vibrant blue color with pink whipped cream — an ode to the 'lava' that erupts from Mt. McDonaldland and the clouds that sit at its peak,' they told the outlet. Advertisement One person on Reddit claimed that it's a 'mishmash of different fruit flavors, but it's supposed to be similar to raspberry. It's got pomegranate, pear, apple, elderberry, peach, blackberry and plum concentrates included.' According to Today's review of the shake, the whipped cream was 'very pink' but tasted like any normal whipped cream, and the shake itself reminded the reporter of the berry-flavored Grimace Shake with notes that tasted like Fruity Pebbles or Trix. 4 The limited-edition pink-and-blue Mt. McDonaldland Shake was only described as a 'secret concoction' of flavors. McDonald's USA 'Is this the purple blob's birthday shake in a new, blue outfit? Maybe!' they wrote. Advertisement Similar to the Today review, the person who drank the shake for Taste of Home said that 'McDonald's colorful new milkshake flavor is nostalgia in a cup for millennials.' 'In terms of an actual flavor profile, I've got to say this milkshake lives up to the surprisingly expansive lore,' they wrote. 4 The Mt. McDonaldland Shake is an ode to the blue lava and pink clouds of the mythical volcano in Grimace's hometown. McDonald's USA Taste of Home said that the taste profile 'immediately recalls the nostalgic, slightly unnatural blue raspberry flavor that was so ubiquitous in popular candy of the '90s and early aughts.' Advertisement 'I just tried the shake today and I LOVED it,' one Reddit user said. 'It was probably my favorite McDonald's shake I have ever had.' Tasting Table declared the Mt. McDonaldland Shake to have the 'ultimate comfort flavors.' 4 McDonald's launched the new 'McDonaldland Meal' — inspired by the 'mystical world' they first created way back in 1971 — on August 12. McDonald's USA Today noted that while the shake is fun and 'summer' and tastes like berries and cream, those who aren't into very sweet treats might not enjoy it. With 64 grams of sugar for a small drink, perhaps the sweetness isn't so surprising. 'The shake is very sweet — sickeningly sweet,' decried the Delaware News Journal. 'It's not a very appealing flavor and best avoided.' 'The Mt. McDonaldland Shake seems like the perfect shake for someone under the age of 21 (Note: My 11-year-old daughter loved it).' 4 The McDonaldland Meal comes with your choice of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, a 'first-of-its-kind' collectible souvenir, and the Mt. McDonaldland Shake. McDonald's USA Advertisement Meanwhile, some people just straight up don't like it. 'It looks artificial and disgusting,' Parade wrote. 'It tastes as bad as it looks.' One alleged McDonald's employee shared on Reddit, 'No one who taste tested it at my restaurant finished it.' 'It is gross!' one user declared. 'The shake is awful, tastes like melted popsicle mixed with skim milk.' Advertisement The McDonaldland Meal comes with your choice of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, a 'first-of-its-kind' collectible souvenir, and the Mt. McDonaldland Shake. Each meal comes with a tin of collectibles that includes postcards and stickers recognizing the McDonald's characters, 'because no trip is complete without a souvenir.' Fans can collect six exclusive collectibles.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Macca's releases ‘adult item' and ‘mystery flavour' shake
One of the world's biggest fast food chains has dropped a menu item specifically designed for adults. Macca's launched the McDonaldland Meal and Shake on Wednesday, which is essentially a Happy Meal designed for adults. Australians can grab either a Quarter Pounder, Big Mac or six-piece Chicken McNuggets in a medium or large. It of course comes with the brand's signature fries. But, just like when the burger giant launched its purple Grimace Shake and the Shamrock Shake, it is the beverage that seems to be getting all the attention. Macca's is keeping tight-lipped on the limited-edition item's exact flavour, but it does contain 'hints of berry, topped with cloudlike dairy whipped cream and pink raspberry sprinkles'. Popular food content creator Ange Eats was one of the first to try it. 'Ooh — that's a really strong blue raspberry taste. It's super thick and creamy. It's really nice, and complemented with the whipped cream and the crumb on top,' he said. 'This is delicious.' Nectro Vlangos, who goes by the name @nectoriouspapi, said he was expecting to say he 'hated it'. 'I actually don't hate it but I don't love it. It reminds me a little of blue raspberry and bubblegum — it's that sort of vibe,' he said. 'It's actually quite refreshing. There's also a lot of vanilla coming through, but you definitely get the taste of whatever that blue thing is.' He said out of the Golden Arches' latest releases — including the McGriddle, the Big Arch and the McWings — the shake was his 'least favourite' but stressed it doesn't taste bad. The McDonaldland Meal was also released in the United States, where people have also been sharing their reviews of the shake. However the colourful drink overseas differs slightly. It didn't have a raspberry crumb on top, like the Australian version, but it appeared to have a raspberry whipped cream on top. Leah, a US-based food content creator, dug into the 'mystery flavour' shake. 'I believe that it's supposed to taste like clouds and volcanoes,' Leah, who goes by @foodwanderer, said. 'It really looks like a sky. I read somewhere that it taste like berries, and it kind of does, but it tastes like cotton candy to me.' The McDonaldland Shake in a large is 2190kj (about 520 cals). In Australia, daily calorie recommendations vary based on individual factors like age, sex, activity level, and body size, but generally, women need between 1600 and 2400 calories per day, while men need between 2000 and 3000 calories. McDonaldland first opened its doors in 1971, allowing fans a peak behind the curtain into the lives of characters such as Ronald McDonald, Hamburglar, Grimace, Mayor McCheese and Fry Friends. It was featured for 20 years in everything from television to games — and now it's back to introduce a whole new generation to its joys. 'Over the past few years, we've seen how much fans love our iconic characters, everyone from Grimace to the Hamburglar. The new kids on the block don't know that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's an entire magical world of McDonaldland filled with characters, places and lore,' said Amanda Nakad, marketing director of menu and brand for McDonald's Australia. 'And so, for the first time in decades, we're excited for fans to rediscover the nostalgic, magical world that started it all. Welcome back to McDonaldland!' In addition to the food, the McDonaldland Meal also features six collectable tins that feature postcards, stickers and more. However, you'll have to be quick, as it is only available while stocks last.
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Forget Grimace, McDonald's menu adds bizarre new shake
Some may remember when McDonald's Happy Meals and toys featured McDonaldland characters. In 1971, McDonald's introduced McDonaldland through commercials and marketing to further market its brand to kids. This fantasy world featured multiple fictional characters, including Grimace, Birdie, The Hamburger, Officer Big Mac, Mayor McCheese, the Fry Kids, McNugget Buddies, and the iconic Ronald McDonald. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter This cast became memorable for those who grew up during that era since they were seen at every McDonald's location, in Happy Meals, and on merchandise. Related: McDonald's brings back unexpected breakfast item after 6 years However, in the early 2000s, McDonald's changed its marketing strategy and began phasing out the characters to appeal more to adults. After all, they are the ones with credit cards. Although this might have seemed like the end of an era, this tactic worked in McDonald's favor, allowing the chain to grow immensely and become one of the largest fast food chains worldwide. Image source: Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images Over the last few years, McDonald's (MCD) has begun using nostalgic marketing to boost growth. This strategy creates a strong connection between a product and customers' emotions, promoting familiarity and creating a positive association, which, if managed correctly, could eventually develop a loyal customer base. The fast food giant brought back some of the most beloved McDonaldland characters in 2023, including the Hamburglar, to promote its burgers, and a purple Grimace Shake to celebrate Grimace's birthday. Related: Forget the Whopper, Burger King has a wild new burger This year, McDonald's also returned the seasonal Shamrock Shake to its menu, featuring O'Grimacey, Grimace's green Irish uncle. To kick off the beginning of June on another nostalgic note, the fast food giant has released another menu item that will take customers back to their childhood and remind them of "winning that big prize at every summer carnival you've ever been to," as stated on the McDonald's website. After teasing its debut on social media for a few days, McDonald's has finally unveiled its latest milkshake, the Cotton Candy Shake. This newest menu addition features vanilla soft serve mixed with cotton candy syrup. But there's a catch: Unfortunately for the U.S., this milkshake is only available at all participating locations in Canada, which once again excludes its home country's fans. McDonald's adapts its menu in different countries based on cultural preferences or conveniently available foods. The same goes for limited-time additions or seasonal items. More Food News: Walmart makes deal to open popular food chain in storesPopular fast-food burger chain to open first store in new marketPopular chicken chain brings back beloved menu item after 7 years However, just because McDonald's launches a new menu item in one country doesn't mean the chain can't launch it elsewhere. If the same ingredients are available in another country for around the same rate, and there's enough demand for it, the item can be brought to other markets. This is why exclusive menu items may overlap across some countries. McDonald's has neither confirmed nor denied that it will bring the Cotton Candy Shake to the U.S., but fans can only hope its debut is successful enough in Canada to potentially launch it in the States. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
McDonald's menu introduces a wild new dessert
Whether you go to fast-food restaurants for the ease of not having to cook your own food, to enjoy the comfort of a familiar favorite meal, or just to see what's new on the menu, one thing is for sure - most of us make regular trips to the drive-thru. Some fast-food brands are more showy than others when it comes to changing their menu and offering new items. McDonald's (MCD) is known for mostly leaning on the classics, although the 85-year-old chain has proved it can definitely innovate as well (we see you, CosMc). Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Burger King is known for endlessly innovating on the Whopper, reinventing it in as many configurations as possible. The Smoky BBQ Whopper. The Mexican Avocado Whopper. The Steakhouse Bacon Whopper. The King keeps making up new combos, and its loyal fans keep on buying them. Related: Popular fast food chain announces major partnership to destroy rivals Taco Bell might be one of the most innovative players in the fast-food game, not only debuting new items regularly, but also reaching for really unusual collaborations as well. The giant Cheez-It Crunchwrap was a personal favorite of this writer - and gone much too soon, may I add. But the good thing about the Bell is that even if something really yummy comes and goes too fast, it'll be replaced with something new soon enough. Now McDonald's is adding something new to its menu, and it's definitely something worth capturing with a photo and sharing for your social media followers to like. Starting today, an item McDonald's Japan featured in 2024 is returning to the menu. It's the Grimace Shake, and as you might imagine, it's a delightful shade of purple. But the flavor is blueberry yogurt, and it's made with real blueberry juice, so it's surely delicious, too. The Grimace Shake, back as a limited-edition item yet again, comes in two sizes: a small for 180 yen ($1.25 U.S.) and a medium for 250 yen ($1.74 U.S.). In case you're wondering why it doesn't come in any big sizes, Japan doesn't really do the kind of sizing America does, so a Japanese medium is considered to be a "large" size. Related: Popular Mexican chain closing all restaurants, no bankruptcy The Grimace Shake also comes in a limited-edition cup with the purple guy himself on it. McDonald's does stress that it has limited quantities of said cup, so if you really want to add it to your McDonald's collection, it would be wise to grab one sooner rather than later. Customers in the comments on McDonald's post on X seemed especially excited about the shake, with several posting pictures of their meals today showing it off. One even described the shake as "It's like Disneyland in your mouth." McDonald's Japanese customers may be very happy to see the Grimace Shake, but the engaging menu item also would have helped here in the U.S., where the popular fast-food chain saw its worst same-store, year-over-year sales drop since the days of Covid. Economic worries and the current political climate are behind this. People are worried about rising costs alongside President Trump's tariffs, with many pulling back on all but necessary spending as they wait to see what will happen next. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski stayed positive despite the data, saying in a release that consumers are "grappling with uncertainty," but that he is still optimistic in the company's "ability to navigate even the toughest of market conditions and gain market share." Related: Wendy's CEO sounds alarm on disturbing consumer trend The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
