McDonald’s Is Getting In on the Dirty Soda Trend
And, it's promising 'the accessory of the summer.'
Image Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s is embracing the refresher and dirty soda trends in a big way. The chain is launching a new line of six specialty drinks: three new refreshers and three crafted sodas.
The new beverage line — the first of its kind at McDonald’s — will include elements such as “freeze-dried fruit inclusions, smooth, velvety cold foam and popping boba,” the brand says.
“Our fans have an obsession with beverages … And soon, our beverages won’t just be a reason you come to McDonald’s, they’ll be the reason,” Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald’s USA’s chief marketing and customer experience officer, says in a news release.
What are McDonald’s new specialty drinks?
The lineup features three new lemonade-based, moderately caffeinated refreshers:
- Strawberry Watermelon Refresher combines strawberry and watermelon flavors with a lemonade base and adds freeze-dried strawberries, resulting in a sweet drink with an “extra burst of flavor and visual flair.”
- Mango Pineapple Refresher blends tropical mango and pineapple flavors with lemonade and adds strawberry popping boba to provide a “juicy burst of flavor.”
- Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher features blackberry and passion fruit flavors with lemonade and adds freeze‑dried dragon fruit for a “touch of sweetness” along with a “pop of color.”
It also features three new crafted drinks that, the brand says, “include your favorite soda, elevated”:
- Sprite Berry Blast starts with Sprite, “infuses” it with a sweet blue raspberry syrup and tops it all off with “decadent” cold foam.
- Orange Dream takes McDonald’s Hi‑C Orange Lavaburst, mixes in a “hint” of vanilla flavor and adds cold foam for a “smooth, dreamy citrus sip.”
- Dirty Dr Pepper adds vanilla flavor and a “cloud of cold foam” to its namesake soda “to create a rich finish.”
“We’ve taken the time to get this right, introducing new drinks that are hand-crafted with bold flavors and quality ingredients our fans can taste in every sip,” Buetikofer says.
When will McDonald’s new specialty drinks be available?
All six drinks will be available at participating McDonald’s nationwide starting May 6. And, the brand says, the new drinks are permanent menu items and "here to stay.”
“This launch is just the beginning — we’re entering a whole new era of drinks, and there’s more still to come,” a McDonald’s spokesperson says.
Image Courtesy of McDonald's
Is there anything else to know about McDonald’s new specialty-drink launch?
Actually, yes. The brand is also partnering with designer Susan Alexandra to release six limited-edition, whimsical beaded drink carriers along with the beverages to "free up your hands,” “elevate your look” and turn “your everyday McDonald’s order into the accessory of the summer.”
You can buy them on SusanAlexandra.com beginning May 6, while supplies last.
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