McDonald's to start selling refreshers and crafted sodas nationwide in May
McDonald's is expanding its cold beverage menu and also plans to introduce energy drinks later this year.
www.cbsnews.comMcDonald’s is adding six new permanent McCafé drinks nationwide, including three Refreshers and three crafted sodas, with rollout starting May 6, 2026. These items feature bold flavors, textures like cold foam and boba, and are designed to be a lasting part of the menu.[3][5][7]
Key details
- New lineup: 3 lemonade-based Refreshers and 3 crafted sodas (examples cited include Mango Pineapple Refresher, Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher, plus options like Sprite Berry Blast, Orange Dream, and Dirty Dr Pepper).[4][3]
- Availability: Nationwide permanent addition to McCafé menu starting May 6, 2026.[5][8]
- What makes them different: hand-crafted ingredients (freeze-dried fruit, popping boba, cold foam) and dedicated sip lids, aiming to broaden McCafé beyond coffee toward specialty beverages.[3][5]
Why this matters
- It marks a strategic shift for McDonald’s beverage strategy, expanding beyond traditional sodas and coffee into premium, trend-driven drinks across all U.S. locations.[5][3]
- The move positions McCafé as a competitor in the broader specialty-beverage landscape, potentially impacting choices for consumers seeking fruity or textured drinks at fast-food venues.[7][5]
Illustration
- If you’d like, I can create a simple chart comparing the six new drinks by base (Refresher vs. crafted soda), flavor notes, added textures, and marketing highlights. This would help visualize the lineup at a glance.
Citations
- McDonald’s six new permanent drinks launching nationwide May 6, 2026, including Refreshers and crafted sodas.[5]
- Details on specific drink names and flavor components reported by multiple outlets (e.g., Mango Pineapple Refresher, Orange Dream, Dirty Dr Pepper; Sprite Berry Blast, etc.).[4][7][3]