McDonald’s introduces ‘infamous’ Grimace Shake to UK menu for a limited time

McDonald’s has introduced the Grimace Shake to its UK menu for the first time, following its debut in the United States in June 2023. The purple milkshake, which costs £2.69 for a medium and £2.99 for a large, features a blueberry-flavored syrup blended with a creamy milkshake base. Available for a limited time, the drink can be purchased in restaurants, through the McDonald’s app, at the drive-thru, or via McDelivery.

The Grimace Shake quickly became a viral sensation in the US, partly due to a TikTok trend where users pretended to collapse after drinking it. The shake’s name and color are inspired by the McDonald’s character Grimace, who was first introduced in 1971 as ‘Evil Grimace’ in McDonaldland. Originally a villain who stole milkshakes, the character was later reimagined in 1972 as a friendly monster. According to McDonald’s Twitter account in 2014, Grimace is ‘the embodiment of a milkshake or a taste bud.’

The Grimace Shake’s popularity was fueled by social media, with celebrities like Friends star Courteney Cox sharing parody videos about the drink. Alongside the Grimace Shake, McDonald’s is reintroducing the Philly Cheese Stack and the Chicken Big Mac to its UK menu starting September 4. The Philly Cheese Stack, which features two beef patties, cheese sauce, onions, and pickles, was previously available in October 2023 and quickly became a fan favorite. Social media users praised the burger, with @_elliottxo calling it "the best limited-edition burger McDonald’s have ever done," and @HoodieUce describing it as "the nicest fast food burger I’ve ever tasted."

McDonald’s also announced the return of its Monopoly game from September 4, offering prizes including £100,000 cash, new cars, and holidays.