I used to think of McDonald’s as fast food, but now that they’ve introduced the McCafe, I’ve experienced a radical paradigm shift. Buying a shake in a clear cup with a rounded lid filled with whipped cream and topped with a real cherry confirms that I do belong to the middle class, even if my real income has been slipping for the last ten years and my standard of living has been supported by access to short-term credit. I no longer feel inferior to those big city types who waltzed in and out of Starbucks, emerging with frothy drinks that left foamy moustaches on their patrician upper lips. Now, even in podunk USA, I can drink from the frothy trough and adorn my lip with whipped dairy product.
Let’s face it, shakes are just more fun when served McCafe style. So what does this mean for the cafe’s holiday creations?
I am generally sceptical of shakes that comes in toxic colors and are offered for a limited time, but, having committed to my handful of followers to review fall fast food marvels, I realized it was my duty to try the McCafe’s Sweet Autumn Shake.
The corporate marching orders on the roll out for this product, however, created an initial turn off. The Cafe began offering this shake in our part of Michigan the weekend before Labor Day when temperatures were in the 90s. I am not generally rude to people in service positions, but I had to laugh at the woman taking my order who suggested I add one to my meal as I wiped sweat from my face and tried not to think about the “natural aroma” filling the car just from the heat coming in from the window while we made our order at the drive-thru.
Once the weather became more appropriate to something named anything autumn, I broke down and fulfilled my duty. It was heaven. This small shake manages to convey the complexity of flavors that compose a good pumpkin pie–the pumpkin, the nutmeg, and most importantly and, most impressive to me, the crust.
Before you protest, let me affirm my certainty that the Sweet Autumn Shake is full of nasty artificial colors and strange chemical combinations to give it the appropriate taste, but, hey, I put artificial colors and strange chemicals on my face every day to make it more palatable–why should my shake not get the same treatment?
The glorious mix of flavors that comprise pumpkin pie. On top of it all that signature McCafe whipped cream. How do you like me now, Starbucks?
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I pulled through McDonald’s all of 30 minutes ago and noticed the new Sweet Autumn shake. As someone who likes to try new things, I wanted to know what was in this mysterious dessert. So I asked. The reply was of no help; the woman I was speaking to said, “uh, it tastes like Autumn. Like Halloween.” I chose to go a different route this time, but curiosity takes on a whole new role with this one. I want to know, WHAT IS IN THIS THING? Before seeing your article, I looked at McDonald’s website and it said the following:
“Football, falling leaves, soccer, pumpkins, hay bales, volleyball, turkeys! These are some of our favorite things that remind us that FALL IS ALMOST HERE! And now, we have one more thing to add to our Fall Favorites: the New Triple Thick McCafe Sweet Autumn Shake!
Our newest McCafe shake combines delectably creamy reduced fat ice cream with the fresh flavor of Autumn. And if that’s not good enough, we add whipped topping and a cherry. The McCafe Sweet Autumn Shake is only here for a limited time, so hurry in and try yours today!”
Can you see why I might still be skeptical? You mentioned a few ingredients…but I’d like clarity…and I need your help. What does Autumn taste like?
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Chelsea Peyton
Like pumpkin pie. Really Yummy pumpkin pie.