This is exactly why St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland and spread Catholicism across its verdant hills and magical, leprechaun-filled valleys — so that McDonald’s could one day offer its syrupy green mint concoction known as the Shamrock Shake to its customers throughout the United States.

It’s the first time Mickey D’s has offered the artificially-hued and much beloved treat to every single one of its 14,000 U.S. locations, says CNNMoney. In the past, only selected stores carried the shake around St. Patrick’s Day.

The ice cream treat debuted in 1970, and since then, McDonald’s says the shamrock shake has stirred up a “cult-like” following who crave its icy goodness when the St. Patrick’s Day season is nigh.

What you might not know is that it had its own mascot back in the day, named Uncle O’Grimacey, who of course, spoke like a stereotypical green Irish monster and extolled the virtues of all things green, including the shake.

We kind of dig him.

McDonald’s shamrock shake goes nationwide [CNNMoney]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.