McDonald’s Unveils Three New Refreshers and Crafted Cold Foam Sodas

Refreshing drinks—fruity, colorful, ice-cold, and often caffeinated—are increasingly popular on beverage menus. Numerous chains, from Starbucks to Sonic, have embraced this trend, and now McDonald’s is ready to introduce its own version of these beverages.

Beginning May 6, the iconic Golden Arches will unveil an array of fruit-flavored refreshers and crafted sodas nationwide, marking a “new era” in their beverage offerings.

“Our fans’ love for McDonald’s beverages runs deep… Next month, we’re building on that passion with a new era of beverages, featuring a variety of Refreshers and crafted sodas rolling out nationwide,” the company stated. “We’re excited for fans across the country to taste what’s next.”

The new lineup includes six exciting specialty drinks: three Refreshers, which blend freeze-dried fruit and boba, and three unique soft drink adaptations enhanced with flavored syrups and cold foams:

• The Strawberry Watermelon Refresher features a lemonade base enriched with strawberry and watermelon flavors, topped with freeze-dried strawberries.
• The Mango Pineapple Refresher begins with the lemonade base and combines tropical mango and pineapple flavors with strawberry popping boba.
• The Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher incorporates blackberry and passion fruit-flavored lemonade, with freeze-dried dragon fruit for added sweetness and color.
• Sprite Berry Blast combines McDonald’s Sprite with blue raspberry syrup and is topped with cold foam.
• The Orange Dream revisits Hi-C Orange Lavaburst by combining it with vanilla flavor and cold foam.
• Dirty Dr Pepper enhances the classic soda with vanilla flavor and a luxurious finish from cold foam.

Alyssa Buetikofer, CMO of McDonald’s USA, expressed, “Our fans have an obsession with beverages—to them, drinks are more than just drinks. 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. Only McDonald’s can bring that kind of experience to life consistently across nearly 14,000 restaurants, every single day.”

Sara Senatore, a senior restaurant analyst at Bank of America, mentioned in a prior statement to ABC News that younger consumers are particularly drawn to the level of customization that refresher beverages offer, which can include options like lemonade, carbonated water, and varying caffeine levels.

The drinks are not only flavorful but also designed to be visually appealing, making them popular for social media sharing. This aesthetic has contributed to their success in taste tests and viral videos.

Since Starbucks launched its Refreshers in 2012—fruity, non-coffee iced beverages that can be served with or without caffeine—this category has soared into a $2 billion-a-year market in the U.S.

Now, variations of refreshers have appeared at many establishments, including Sonic, Panera, Taco Bell, and Dunkin’.

The influence of celebrity endorsements has also contributed to the trend; for instance, Dunkin’ has featured Megan Thee Stallion in their marketing campaign for their protein-infused refresher drinks.

As restaurants strive to attract cost-conscious consumers, major chains are optimistic that their investment in the beverage sector will enhance profits.

“Beverages have traditionally offered higher profit margins than food items,” Senatore noted. “The market for refreshers and similar beverages has experienced notable growth.”

She emphasized that even though it may not have seemed logical for a conventional fast-food chain like McDonald’s to dive into the beverage arena a few years back, the increasing consumer demand is now evident.

Key Takeaways

• McDonald’s will launch a new lineup of Refreshers and crafted sodas on May 6, 2026.
• There are six new drinks: three fruity Refreshers and three crafted soda variations.
• The Refreshers feature freeze-dried fruits and boba for added texture.
• New crafted sodas include a range of innovative flavors and toppings.
• The drinks are designed to be visually appealing and social media-friendly.
• Competitive brands like Starbucks and Dunkin’ have also popularized similar offerings.

FAQ

When will McDonald’s new drinks be available?

McDonald’s new Refreshers and crafted sodas will be available starting May 6, 2026.

What flavors are included in the new Refreshers?

The new Refreshers include Strawberry Watermelon, Mango Pineapple, and Blackberry Passion Fruit.

What makes these drinks special?

These drinks feature ingredients like freeze-dried fruit, boba, and cold foam for unique textures and flavors.

Are the drinks customizable?

Yes, customers can customize the drinks with different syrups and flavors.

Why are beverages important for fast-food chains?

Beverages typically have higher profit margins than food, making them crucial for boosting overall profits.

This story was originally published on April 22, 2026. It has since been updated to include new information regarding McDonald’s Refreshers and crafted sodas, along with statements from CMO Alyssa Buetikofer.