St. Patrick’s Day, in my opinion, is one of the best holidays. It’s that one time of year when the world is painted in vibrant shades of green and everyone is just a little bit Irish, even if it’s just for the day. It’s filled with shamrocks, leprechauns and pots of gold at the end of a rainbow – at least that’s what I like to believe. I grew up in a town that went crazy for St. Patrick’s Day – Everyone was up at the crack of dawn to head over to the town’s huge parade to honor the Irish. In elementary school, we would hold “St. Patrick’s Day” costume contests and host parties filled with chocolate gold coins and green shamrock treats. For me, the best part of the holiday is McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes and my homemade Irish potatoes.
I know, I know, Shamrock Shakes are so bad for you but they are pure gold in my eyes. As soon as Valentine’s Day is over, I race to my local McDonald’s to indulge in that whimsical emerald delight that makes my taste buds do a little Irish jig. Don’t let the extremely bright green color scare you away, one sip and you will be transported into a world filled with minty goodness and holiday cheer. Shamrock Shakes are essentially vanilla ice cream mixed with mint syrup, so if you don’t like mint, maybe this isn’t the drink for you. I would still advise you to give the drink a try – you never know, you might end up loving it.
I have already gotten my annual Shamrock Shake this year, however, I also tried something new: the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry. This mashup of minty marvel and chocolatey goodness has been around since 2020, however, I have never tried it before this year. I saw it on the menu and decided that it was time to give it a taste. It takes the classic Oreo McFlurry but instead of just plain vanilla ice cream, mint syrup is added. I thought it was the perfect blend of flavors to make the ultimate drink. I still favor the original Shamrock Shake, but that is just because it tastes like my childhood, filling me with pure nostalgia.
Besides Shamrock Shakes, another one of my favorite St. Patrick’s Day traditions is making Irish potatoes. Irish potatoes are very commonly loved in Pennsylvania, where I’m from, but since coming to college in Connecticut, I have learned that no one knows what they are here. Certain types of Irish potatoes serve as actual food filled with real potatoes, but the ones that I know and love are candy desserts. The recipe is fairly simple and quick to make. All you need is:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups flaked coconut
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
There are many recipes online to recreate this Irish delight, but all you have to do is mix all of those ingredients in a bowl, besides the ground cinnamon. Once all the ingredients are mixed together, form little balls and roll the balls in the cinnamon. I always put mine in the fridge afterward, so they harden a little.
Irish Potatoes are one of my favorite aspects of St. Patrick’s Day and I look forward to making them every year. Eating them feels like uncovering a delicious secret, leaving you grinning like a leprechaun who just found a pot of gold at the end of a candy rainbow! If you have never heard of this spectacular treat, I highly suggest making some this year.
So, whether you’re indulging in Irish potato candies, sipping on Shamrock Shakes or simply reveling in the green-tinted festivities, St. Patrick’s Day is truly a magical time where everyone can feel a little luckier and a lot more festive. St. Patrick’s Day is like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow – filled with laughter, love and a touch of Irish charm. If you have overlooked St. Patrick’s Day in the past, I hope you now consider all the wonderful things the holiday has to offer.
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