Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The Grimace Shake TikTok trend turned McDonald’s limited-time purple birthday drink into a horror-movie prop: creators took a cheerful sip, then cut to staged scenes of collapse, chaos or mock death, often with purple shake spilled nearby. The deaths were fictional parody—not evidence that the drink had killed anyone.
What was the Grimace Shake trend?
In June 2023, TikTok creators used McDonald’s Grimace Birthday Shake as the setup for short horror-comedy videos. The common format began like a friendly taste test or birthday tribute. After the person drank, the video abruptly shifted to a grim scene suggesting something terrible had happened. The vivid purple drink made the punchline legible, whether it was splashed across the scene or left beside the performer.
The joke treated the shake as if it had bizarre, lethal effects. That was the premise of the skits, not a real-world report of poisoning or deaths.
Why was there a Grimace shake?
McDonald’s announced the Grimace Birthday Meal on June 6, 2023, with participating US restaurants scheduled to offer it from June 12 while supplies lasted. The meal included a limited-edition purple shake inspired by Grimace’s color and sweetness, plus a Big Mac or a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets and fries. The promotion also included a free digital game and limited-time merchandise. McDonald’s announcement described the campaign as a modern spin on memories of the character. The Los Angeles Times reported the shake paired vanilla soft serve with berry flavors. Los Angeles Times
#1 Best Overall
- 【Easy to Carry】The water bottle can be easily placed in the car cup holder, and the one-handle design allows you to easily take out the tumbler and drink and to carry their favorite beverages wherever they go. The wide opening design makes cleaning more convenient and easier
- 【Keep Drinks Temperature】The large capacity thermal cup adopts vacuum insulation technology, which can provide good heat preservation effect for your drinks. Hot or cold, our mug provides excellent insulation for your favorite beverages
- 【Leak-proof Design】 The travel cup feature a well-sealed lid, effectively preventing drink leakage or spills for convenient portability and travel. The lid is designed with drinking holes for placing straws or drinking directly
- 【Premium Material】The tumbler is made of high quality 304 stainless steel, which is durable, rust-proof, heat-retaining and easy to clean and helps reduce the use of disposable plastic cups, contributing to environmental conservation and energy efficiency
- 【Large Capacity】Thermos is 10.8 inches high, 3.9 inches long, 3.9 inches wide.40 ounces capacity can well meet your drinking needs while driving. Suitable for camping, sports, traveling, road trips, barbecues, parties and so on. You can also give it as a gift to your family, friends, teachers and coworkers on birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The drink’s unusual color gave creators an instantly recognizable visual cue, while the birthday-meal framing supplied an easy, upbeat opening that could be undercut by a sudden horror turn.
Who started it?
CBS News, citing Know Your Meme, credited TikToker Austin Frazier (@thefrazmaz) with an early example posted June 13, 2023. Frazier said he adapted the idea from a similar Spider-Verse burger video and described his version as a joke about the shake’s strange color and a fictional Grimace collecting victims. This is a reported attribution for an early example, not proof that no similar video appeared earlier. CBS News
Rank #2
- YOUR DREAM TUMBLER: Whichever way your day flows, the H2.0 FlowState tumbler keeps you refreshed with fewer refills. Double wall vacuum insulation means drinks stay cold, iced or hot for hours. Choose between our 14oz, 20oz, 30oz,40oz and 64oz options depending on your hydration needs. The narrow base on all sizes (except 64oz) fits just about any car cup holder, keeping it right by your side.
- ADVANCED LID CONSTRUCTION: Whether you prefer small sips or maximum thirst quenching, Stanley has developed an advanced FlowState lid, featuring a rotating cover with three positions: a straw opening designed to resist splashes with a seal that holds the reusable straw in place, a drink opening, and a full-cover top for added leak resistance. We’ve also included an ergonomic, comfort-grip handle, so you can easily carry your ice-cold water to work, meetings, the gym or trips out of town.
- EARTH-FRIENDLY DURABILITY: Constructed of 90% recycled BPA free stainless steel for sustainable sipping, the Stanley Quencher H2.0 has the durability to stand up to a lifetime of use. Eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles and straws with a travel tumbler built with sustainability in mind.
- DISHWASHER SAFE: Spend less time hunched over the sink and more time doing the things you love. Cleaning your tumbler and lid couldn't be easier, just pop them into the dishwasher. Unlike plastic bottles that retain stains & smells, this metallic beauty comes out pristine
- LIFETIME WARRANTY: Since 1913 we’ve promised to provide rugged, capable gear for food and drink - accessories built to last a lifetime. It’s a promise we still keep. Stanley products purchased from Stanley Resellers come with a lifetime warranty. Rest easy knowing we’ve got your back through it all.
How did McDonald’s respond?
As the videos spread, McDonald’s official account joined the joke. On June 27, 2023, it posted, “meee pretending i don’t see the grimace shake trendd.” CBS reproduced the post, and campaign agency Wieden+Kennedy said the response was shared across McDonald’s social channels. CBS News Wieden+Kennedy
That response let the brand acknowledge a user-created format without turning the original meal announcement into a horror campaign. The Washington Post’s marketing expert Wendy Zajack observed that the corporate message is not necessarily what goes viral; the user-made joke can take on a life of its own. The Washington Post
Rank #3
- Insulated 20 oz Coffee tumbler: Double-wall vacuum insulation technology, keep drinks hot for over 6 hours and cold for around 24 hours, sweat proof, no condensation
- Premium Material: Made from high quality 18/8 304 food grade stainless steel, lead free and durable, never rust, easy to wash and unbreakable
- BPA Free Sliding Lid, Spill Proof: Silicone gasket seals, drinking hole on the top for easy sipping, straw friendly
- Car Cup Holder Friendly: Great for on the go, camping, gyms, outdoor activity
- Superior Powder Coated: Multi-color option, durable finish, no scratching, no peeling or fading, easy grip, long lasting
How widely did the videos spread?
Contemporary reports recorded rapidly rising hashtag views, but these are dated snapshots rather than current TikTok counts:
| Report | Reported reach | What the figure means |
|---|---|---|
| The Washington Post, June 29, 2023 | 400 million #GrimaceShake views | A figure reported on that date; not a present-day count. Source |
| Los Angeles Times, July 12, 2023 | More than 1 billion #grimaceshake views | A later historical snapshot; the articles do not establish identical measurement methods. Source |
The Washington Post also reported employee observations of higher demand and some restaurants running out of ice cream. Wieden+Kennedy described a sales bump and sellouts, but the cited accounts do not establish a numerical sales increase. The Washington Post Wieden+Kennedy
Rank #4
- Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Technology: This tumbler can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours and keep hot for at least 6 hours
- Set Included: Tumbler set comes with 1 x 30oz tumbler, 1 x leak proof lid, 2 x stainless steel straw and 1 x straw cleaning brush. Perfect for Birthday & Christmas gift or special day
- No Sweat Design: Makes for a secure grip with no condensation. Keeps fingers dry and prevent frostbite. You won’t need a coaster
- Splash Proof Lid(Not Sealed): Put anywhere as you want and no worry to wet your place
- Convenient: Portable and lightweight, this stainless steel water bottle keeps you refreshed wherever you go
Was the shake actually dangerous?
The trend’s apparent deaths and injuries were staged horror parody. The sources describing the meme do not document a real pattern of people dying after drinking the shake; the videos used the drink as a comic horror prop. That context is not a medical assessment of the shake’s ingredients or suitability for any individual.
Is the shake still available?
The promotion described by McDonald’s was a limited-time 2023 US offering, available at participating restaurants while supplies lasted. The cited announcement and contemporaneous coverage do not establish current availability of the shake or its merchandise.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Rambler 20 oz. is made from durable stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation to protect your hot or cold beverage at all costs
- These Ramblers come standard with the YETI MagSlider Lid, the only drink lid that uses the power of magnets to keep your water, beer, or favorite drink on lock
- While the MagSlider Lid adds a barrier of protection for keeping drinks contained and preventing heat or cold from escaping, Please Note – The MagSlider Lid is not leakproof and will not prevent spills
- YETI Ramblers are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and have a No Sweat Design to make sure your hands stay dry. The tough Duracoat coating on the colored tumblers won’t crack, peel or fade
- The YETI 20 oz Rambler Tumbler stands 6 7/8 in high and has a lip diameter of 3 1/2 in. All YETI 20 oz. Tumblers are sized to fit in standard sized cup holders
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
