Grimace Shake – What It Is, How to Make It, and Why It Went Viral

The internet can make just about anything go viral—but few could’ve predicted that a purple milkshake would take over TikTok, confuse millions, and spark wild theories online. Enter the Grimace Shake—a berry-colored drink released by McDonald’s in 2023 to celebrate the birthday of their fuzzy purple mascot, Grimace. What started as a limited-time product quickly exploded into a meme-driven phenomenon, complete with chaotic TikTok videos and a cult-like obsession.

But behind the trend, people were asking real questions: What’s in the Grimace Shake? Can I make it at home? And seriously—who or what is Grimace?

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Grimace Shake—from its actual ingredients and homemade recipe to whether it’s safe to drink and why it went viral in the weirdest way.

Don’t miss our Homemade Kudos Bars recipe if you’re into nostalgic treats with a twist.

What Is the Grimace Shake?

Origin of the Grimace Shake from McDonald’s

The Grimace Shake made its debut in the U.S. at McDonald’s on June 12, 2023, as part of a birthday meal celebrating Grimace—one of McDonald’s long-standing mascots. The limited-time shake featured a vivid purple hue, a berry-like flavor, and was only available until July 9, 2023. It was released alongside the “Grimace Birthday Meal,” which included a Big Mac or 10-piece McNuggets, fries, and the shake.

But the internet had other plans.

Within days, social media—especially TikTok—latched onto the shake, transforming it from a novelty item into something truly bizarre. Content creators began filming themselves sipping the Grimace Shake, only to cut to scenes of fake chaos, horror movie-style effects, or themselves lying motionless in purple splatters. It became known as the “Grimace Shake death trend” and racked up billions of views.

Limited-Time Launch & Viral TikTok Trend Explained

McDonald’s probably intended the shake to be a fun, nostalgic nod to one of its classic characters. But TikTok turned it into something more surreal—and far more viral.

Why did it blow up?

• Striking color: The purple made it stand out visually
• Limited availability: FOMO kicked in
• Perfect meme material: Strange mascot + weird name = endless parody potential
• Unexpected horror twist: The TikTok trend subverted expectations with a darkly comedic spin

In fact, the hashtag #GrimaceShake gained over 2.9 billion views on TikTok within weeks, and the shake helped boost McDonald’s second-quarter sales noticeably.

What’s In the Grimace Shake?

Ingredients in the Original McDonald’s Version

While McDonald’s didn’t release an official recipe, the Grimace Shake was described as having a “sweet berry flavor” blended with vanilla soft serve. The ingredients listed by the chain were similar to their standard shakes, with the addition of artificial color and flavoring to create that iconic purple hue.

Here’s what’s generally included in the official version:

Though it looks like a blueberry shake, many reviewers noted it had a mixed berry profile—a blend of blueberry, raspberry, and a hint of vanilla.

Common Flavors Described by Users and Testers

The flavor experience wasn’t the same for everyone. Here’s what real people said about the taste:

• “Tastes like a creamy blueberry milkshake with a vanilla base.”
• “A little artificial, a bit like berry candy.”
• “Very sweet, but not bad—kind of like a melted berry sundae.”
• “Weirdly nostalgic, but it doesn’t scream real fruit.”

Overall, the consensus was that the Grimace Shake was sweet, creamy, berry-forward, and a bit artificial—not surprising for a fast food treat.

How to Make the Grimace Shake at Home

Homemade Recipe with Blueberry and Vanilla Base

Want to skip the drive-thru and the mystery ingredients? Here’s how to make your own Grimace Shake at home with just a few simple, natural ingredients. This DIY version captures the purple color and berry-vanilla flavor—minus the artificial stuff.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla ice cream (or dairy-free vanilla frozen dessert)
• ½ cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk for a vegan version)
• ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• ¼ cup fresh or frozen raspberries
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: Whipped cream for topping
• Optional: 1–2 drops purple food coloring for extra visual pop (if using white ice cream)

Instructions:

1. Blend it all
   Add the blueberries, raspberries, vanilla ice cream, milk, and vanilla extract into a blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
2. Adjust consistency
   If it’s too thick, add a splash of extra milk. If too thin, add another scoop of ice cream.
3. Serve in a clear glass
   Pour into a tall cup or milkshake glass. Top with whipped cream if desired.
4. Go full Grimace
   Want to match the viral trend? Drizzle a bit of blended berries down the sides for a “drippy” effect, or top with purple sprinkles.

Vegan and Healthier Variations to Try

Don’t want the sugar overload? Want it dairy-free? Here are some simple tweaks:

Want a superfood spin? Add a spoonful of chia seeds, a pinch of cinnamon, or a scoop of plant-based protein.

Is the Grimace Shake Safe to Drink?

TikTok Trend Myths vs. Reality

If you’ve seen the Grimace Shake trend on TikTok, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Is it even safe to drink?” After all, creators were pretending to pass out, bleed purple, or get “possessed” after taking a sip. But here’s the deal:

No, the Grimace Shake is not dangerous. The TikTok videos are pure satire—a darkly humorous twist that turned a fast-food shake into a meme-worthy horror story. There’s nothing toxic or harmful in the real drink (aside from the usual sugar content you’d expect in a milkshake).

Here’s what actually happened:

• TikTokers exaggerated reactions to the shake, often cutting to scenes of chaos after sipping it.
• The “trend” became a parody of food reviews mixed with horror movie tropes.
• No actual harm was ever reported from drinking the Grimace Shake.

So while the trend looks disturbing, it’s nothing more than performance art. The shake itself is as safe as any other fast food dessert.

No, It Won’t Curse You—But It Might Give You a Sugar Rush

What the Grimace Shake does have is a whole lot of sugar, especially if you’re drinking the McDonald’s version. While the exact nutrition info was never fully released, it’s estimated to contain:

• Over 70g of sugar in a large serving
• About 600–700 calories, depending on size
• Artificial coloring and flavoring

That’s not unusual for a milkshake, but it’s something to keep in mind—especially for kids or anyone monitoring their sugar intake.

If you’re making your own version at home, you can control the ingredients and avoid the heavy sweeteners altogether.

Is the Grimace Shake Just Blueberry?

Flavor Profile Breakdown from Real Taste Tests

Despite its bold purple color and fruity appearance, the Grimace Shake isn’t just a blueberry shake. Most people expected a straight-up blueberry flavor, but taste testers quickly realized there was more going on.

Across TikTok reviews, food blogs, and media tests, the most common flavor notes include:

• Vanilla ice cream: The base of the shake is McDonald’s signature soft serve, so the vanilla flavor is always dominant.
• Mixed berries: Many describe hints of blueberry, raspberry, and even blackberry—suggesting it’s a generic “berry blend.”
• Candy-like finish: A few people compared it to the taste of purple Skittles or berry-flavored marshmallow cereal.

In short, it’s not strictly blueberry, but rather a sweet, artificial berry mashup with a creamy vanilla core. It’s more about the idea of berry than any specific fruit.

Other Fruity or Creamy Notes That Stand Out

If you tried the shake and thought, “That tastes like berry bubblegum,” you’re not alone. The flavor is clearly engineered for sweetness, not authenticity. Here’s what reviewers mentioned:

So while the purple color leads you to believe blueberry, the flavor tells a more complex (and candy-like) story.

Is the Grimace Shake Too Sweet?

Sugar Content of the McDonald’s Version

Short answer? Yes—most people found it very sweet. The Grimace Shake wasn’t designed to be subtle or balanced. It was designed to stand out: in flavor, in color, and on social media. Based on user reviews and taste tests, sweetness is the number one complaint.

Here’s why it tastes so sugary:

• High sugar content (estimated over 70g in a large size)
• Artificial berry syrup layered over vanilla soft serve
• No acidity to balance out the sugar, like you’d find in fresh fruit
• Whipped topping (optional) adds more sweetness and fat

Even McDonald’s fans who loved the flavor noted it was “cloying”, “syrupy,” or “better in small sips.” For many, the Grimace Shake felt like more of a dessert stunt than an everyday menu item.

How to Adjust Sweetness in Your Homemade Recipe

If you’re making the Grimace Shake at home and want to cut down the sugar, here are a few easy tweaks:

These changes will help you keep the fun and color of the shake while making it much healthier and easier on your blood sugar.

Bonus: If you’re serving it to kids or guests, they’ll still love the look and flavor—without the crash an hour later.

Who (or What) Is Grimace, Anyway?

History of the Grimace Mascot at McDonald’s

Grimace has been a McDonald’s character since the early 1970s, but for many people—especially younger audiences—he’s a total mystery. If you’ve ever asked “What the heck is Grimace?”, you’re not alone.

Grimace is a large, purple, blob-like creature with small arms, a goofy smile, and a gentle personality. He originally debuted as a villain in McDonaldland, called the “Evil Grimace”, who stole milkshakes from children. (Yes, really.) He had four arms and a sinister vibe.

But by the mid-1970s, McDonald’s rebranded him into a friendly, lovable sidekick—a clumsy but good-hearted character who loves milkshakes and hanging out with Ronald McDonald.

He became known as:

• The “embodiment of a milkshake” (according to some marketing execs)
• A “taste bud” (per a 2021 tweet from a McDonald’s manager that broke the internet)
• A symbol of chaotic comfort in the 2023 TikTok era

So… what is he really?

McDonald’s has never made it official. Grimace remains intentionally ambiguous—a walking purple blob of corporate nostalgia.

FAQs About the Grimace Shake

Conclusion

The Grimace Shake is more than just a limited-edition menu item—it’s a perfect example of how nostalgia, humor, and the internet can transform a fast food product into a full-blown cultural event. Whether you’re sipping it for the flavor, the laughs, or the social content, there’s no denying it left a purple stain on pop culture.

Grimace Shake – What It Is, How to Make It, and Why It Went Viral

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• Author: Laura Mitchell
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

The Grimace Shake went viral in 2023 thanks to its sweet purple flavor and bizarre TikTok trend—but now you can make it at home using real ingredients. This fun, fruity milkshake blends vanilla ice cream with blueberries and raspberries for a colorful and delicious treat that’s perfect for parties, memes, or just cooling off on a summer day.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup vanilla ice cream
• ½ cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk for vegan version)
• ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• ¼ cup fresh or frozen raspberries
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: whipped cream topping
• Optional: 1–2 drops purple food coloring (for intense color)

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Instructions

1. Add ingredients to blender
   Combine the vanilla ice cream, milk, blueberries, raspberries, and vanilla extract in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth
   Blend on high speed until fully smooth and creamy. Add extra milk if needed for a thinner texture.
3. Taste and adjust
   For a deeper purple color, add a drop or two of food coloring. For more sweetness, add honey or maple syrup.
4. Serve immediately
   Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream if desired. Garnish with extra berries or sprinkles.

Notes

• For a lower-sugar option, swap the ice cream for frozen banana + Greek yogurt.
• Make it vegan by using non-dairy ice cream and plant milk.
• Freeze leftovers in popsicle molds for a fun twist.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Drinks
• Method: Blended
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 glass
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 24g
• Sodium: 65mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: Grimace Shake, viral milkshake, TikTok drink, McDonald’s shake, purple shake