The Grimace Shake launched in June 2023 as part of McDonald's celebration of Grimace's birthday, and it quickly became a TikTok phenomenon. Creators filmed themselves taking a first sip before cutting to exaggerated, horror-style scenes implying the drink had knocked them out or worse. The joke worked because the bright purple shake looked harmless while the edits were wildly dramatic. Although the limited-time drink is gone, the phrase still signals that playful mix of nostalgia, absurdity, and internet horror comedy.