McDonald’s to Add Energy Drinks and Crafted Sodas to U.S. Menus
- McDonald's is expanding its beverage portfolio in the United States by introducing "refreshers" and "crafted sodas" starting in May 2026.
- The expansion targets a broader range of cold beverage options to attract price-conscious consumers and Gen Z diners.
- The rollout of the new beverages will occur in two primary phases.
McDonald’s is expanding its beverage portfolio in the United States by introducing “refreshers” and “crafted sodas” starting in May 2026. The fast-food company also plans to add energy drinks to its menu later in the year, according to company statements and reporting from the Wall Street Journal and Reuters.
The expansion targets a broader range of cold beverage options to attract price-conscious consumers and Gen Z diners. According to internal documents cited by the Wall Street Journal, McDonald’s intends to price these new offerings below the prices of competitors such as Starbucks and Dutch Bros.
New Menu Offerings and Rollout Timeline
The rollout of the new beverages will occur in two primary phases. The first phase, beginning in May 2026, focuses on specialty sodas and refreshers. Specific items identified in reports include a Dirty Dr Pepper
and a Mango Pineapple Refresher
.
The second phase will introduce energy drinks to U.S. Restaurants. These products are expected to go on sale starting in August 2026. One specific product mentioned in company documents is a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer.
Our fans’ love for McDonald’s beverages runs deep, from rallying for the return of Hi-C Orange Lavaburst to coining the iconic ‘Spicy Sprite.’ 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
McDonald’s US statement to CBS News
Strategic Shift from CosMc’s Concept
This menu expansion follows the closure of CosMc’s, an experimental beverage-forward concept launched by McDonald’s in 2023. The company shut down the five CosMc’s concept stores in May 2025 after using them to test the beverages space.
CosMc’s was designed to capture the afternoon snack market with colorful drinks that the company stated could not be integrated into existing McDonald’s kitchen systems. After closing those stores, McDonald’s began testing drink combinations in its standard restaurants, including a Sour Cherry Energy Burst.
The company has stated it observed real momentum in beverages
, particularly among Gen Z consumers, which informed the decision to integrate these specialty drinks into the main U.S. Menu.
Competitive Positioning and Value Strategy
The move to undercut the pricing of Starbucks, Dutch Bros, and Sonic is part of a broader value strategy implemented by McDonald’s to attract diners affected by economic uncertainties. This strategy includes targeting low-income consumers through lower-priced menu options.
In April 2026, McDonald’s introduced menu items priced at $3 or less and a $4 breakfast meal deal in the U.S. Market. CEO Chris Kempczinski stated in February 2026 that there was growing evidence that the company’s value strategy was resulting in increased visits from low-income consumers.
By pricing the new crafted sodas and refreshers lower than specialty coffee and beverage chains, McDonald’s aims to leverage its scale to compete in the specialty cold drink segment while maintaining its position as a value provider.