The scent of mint syrup and powdered sugar drifts through the hardcourts of Day Creek, signaling the arrival of the St. Patrick’s day season. A far cry from the formality of a Thanksgiving or Christmas sit-down dinner, this holiday is spent navigating the McDonald’s drive-thru for a Shamrock Shake, making a quick stop for the weekly Crumbl box, or pulling up beneath the neon glow of a Krispy Kreme sign.
As green-tinted treats flood social media feeds, one question stands out: which of these limited-time snacks are actually worth it, and which rely more on marketing than flavor? To find out, The Howl sampled some of the most hyped offerings of the season.
1. Krispy Kreme’s St. Patrick’s Day Lineup
Krispy Kreme went all in this year, dyeing its doughnut batter green to bake the holiday directly into its menu. The chain also leaned into the promotion, offering a free O’riginal Glazed doughnut to customers dressed in green. The Howl sampled a variety pack that included the O’riginal Green Glazed, a chocolate iced doughnut with St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles, an Over the Rainbow doughnut, and a maple frosted doughnut with green dough.
The O’riginal Glazed left little to be reviewed. Beyond the emerald hue, it remained largely unchanged. The chocolate iced version offered more visual flair with a mix of white and green sprinkles, but like the original, its flavor stayed familiar rather than festive.
“What made it St. Patrick’s themed was the greenness of the doughnut,” said seventh grader Elina A. “I liked it because I like chocolate and sprinkles. I would get it again.”
The Verdict: Visually on theme, but mostly unchanged in taste.
Rating: 8/10
The final doughnut sampled was a standout. The Over the Rainbow doughnut featured standard dough topped with green frosting, rainbow sprinkles, and a sugar rainbow decoration. Unlike the others, this one balanced appearance with flavor, thanks to a sweet, fluffy Kreme filling that stood out with each bite.
“The texture of the doughnut was soft, and the sprinkles on the doughnut changed the texture to make it crunchy,” said Carol M. “It tasted sweet and creamy. I really liked it.”
The Verdict: A festive option that delivers both in flavor and presentation.
Rating: 10/10
2. McDonald’s Oreo Mint McFlurry
McDonald’s continues its seasonal tradition with the Oreo Mint McFlurry. A blend of light green soft serve and cookie pieces, the dessert delivers a strong mint flavor paired with crunchy Oreo fragments.
“The Oreos were very crunchy. Even though the mint flavor was slightly too strong, it was still good,” said seventh grader Euphia C. “I would only recommend this to people who like mint.”
While the texture holds up, the intensity of the mint may not appeal to everyone.
The Verdict: A refreshing treat, but best suited for strong mint fans.
Rating: 8.5/10
3. Crumbl Cookies’ Irish-Themed Rotation
Crumbl’s rotating menu leaned fully into the holiday with its themed lineup. The Howl sampled the Mallow Creme cookie and the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Cake cookie.
The Mallow Creme cookie, made with graham cracker dough and topped with marshmallow frosting, featured Lucky Charms marshmallows that added a nostalgic element.
“I like the marshmallow charms on top, they’re nice and nostalgic. I used to eat them as a child in the Lucky Charms cereal,” said Fiona C. “It was way too sweet, though I really enjoyed the texture of the cookie.”
This cookie succeeds in texture and nostalgia, but its sweetness may overwhelm some tasters.
The Verdict: A nostalgic treat that prioritizes sweetness over balance.
Rating: 8/10
The Celebration Cake cookie included cake batter dough and cream cheese frosting, but its texture divided opinions. Large green sprinkles added crunch that did not fully match the softness of the cookie.
“The dough of the cookie tasted pretty nice, and the frosting tasted like buttercream,” said seventh grader Iris Z. “But the sprinkles were too crunchy, making the texture slightly weird.”
While the flavor remains solid, the texture creates an uneven experience.
The Verdict: This cookie has a strong flavor, but its texture holds it back.
Rating: 7/10
Final Thoughts
Every holiday brings its own flavors, and St. Patrick’s Day is no exception. From brightly colored doughnuts to mint-heavy desserts, many of this year’s offerings rely on appearance to draw attention, but only a few deliver on taste.
Among the options tested, Krispy Kreme’s Over the Rainbow doughnut stood out as the most balanced, while others leaned more heavily on visual appeal than flavor innovation.
Ultimately, these seasonal treats are about more than just taste. They reflect how quickly trends, marketing, and social media shape what students choose to try. Whether stopping by a drive-thru or sharing desserts with friends, the best holiday snack may not be the most colorful one, but the one that actually lives up to the hype.
