McDonalds New Drinks What’s New on the Menu in 2026 

If you enjoy trying new beverages, you may also like exploring different tequila drinks, but McDonald’s is taking a completely different approach with its latest beverage lineup. The restaurant has added fruity Refreshers, flavored sodas with cold foam, vanilla-style soda drinks, and an energy drink made with Red Bull. These additions give customers more choices beyond traditional soft drinks and McCafé coffee.

The mcdonalds new drinks lineup in the United States includes several colorful and sweet options. McDonald’s introduced its first six new specialty drinks in May 2026, including three Refreshers and three crafted sodas. The company later expanded the lineup with the Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer and additional specialty soda variations.

This guide explains the new drinks, their main ingredients, flavor profiles, caffeine information, and how each drink is prepared.

What Are McDonald’s New Drinks?

McDonald’s has expanded its beverage menu with three main ideas: Refreshers, Crafted Sodas, and Energizers. These drinks focus on fruity flavors, lemonade, flavored syrups, cold foam, popping boba, and energy drinks.

The first six specialty drinks became available at participating U.S. restaurants on May 6, 2026. McDonald’s describes them as part of a new beverage lineup designed to offer more variety throughout the day.

The current specialty menu includes Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, Mango Pineapple Refresher, Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher, Sprite Berry Blast, Dirty Dr Pepper, Orange Dream, Vanilla Swirl with Coca-Cola, Vanilla Swirl with Diet Coke, and Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer. Availability can vary by restaurant.

Strawberry Watermelon Refresher

The Strawberry Watermelon Refresher is a fruity and refreshing drink that combines sweet strawberry and watermelon flavors with a lemonade base.

Main Ingredients

• Strawberry flavor
• Watermelon flavor
• Lemonade
• Freeze-dried strawberries
• Ice

Flavor Profile

• Strawberry: Adds a sweet and familiar berry flavor.
• Watermelon: Gives the drink a light and refreshing fruit taste.
• Lemonade: Adds a slightly tangy and citrusy finish.
• Freeze-dried strawberries: Provide extra fruit flavor and texture.

How It Is Made

1. The strawberry and watermelon drink mixture is prepared.
2. Lemonade is added to create the standard version.
3. The drink is poured over ice.
4. Freeze-dried strawberries are added for extra flavor and texture.
5. The finished drink is served cold.

Does It Contain Caffeine?

Yes. The Strawberry Watermelon Refresher contains caffeine, so it is different from a typical caffeine-free fruit drink.

What Does It Taste Like?

The drink has a sweet, fruity, and slightly tangy flavor. Strawberry gives it a familiar berry taste, while watermelon makes the drink feel lighter and more refreshing. The lemonade adds a bright citrus finish.

Mango Pineapple Refresher

The Mango Pineapple Refresher combines tropical mango and pineapple flavors with lemonade. It is served cold over ice and includes strawberry popping boba.

Main Ingredients

• Mango flavor
• Pineapple flavor
• Lemonade
• Strawberry popping boba
• Ice

Flavor Profile

• Mango: Gives the drink a sweet and tropical taste.
• Pineapple: Adds a bright and slightly tangy fruit flavor.
• Lemonade: Provides a refreshing citrus finish.
• Strawberry popping boba: Adds small bursts of fruity flavor and a chewy texture.

How Is the Mango Pineapple Refresher Made?

1. The mango and pineapple flavor mixture is prepared.
2. Lemonade is added for the standard version.
3. The drink is poured over ice.
4. Strawberry popping boba is added to give the drink its signature texture.
5. Customers can choose water instead of lemonade for a less citrusy version.

Calories and Caffeine

A small Mango Pineapple Refresher contains 180 calories and also contains caffeine, according to McDonald’s current product information.

What Does It Taste Like?

This drink has a sweet and tropical flavor with a slightly tangy finish. The mango and pineapple create the main fruit taste, while strawberry popping boba adds an interesting texture.

Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher

The Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher combines blackberry and passion fruit flavors with lemonade. McDonald’s also adds freeze-dried dragon fruit to the drink.

Main Ingredients

• Blackberry flavor
• Passion fruit flavor
• Lemonade
• Freeze-dried dragon fruit
• Ice

Flavor Profile

• Blackberry: Provides a rich and sweet berry flavor.
• Passion fruit: Adds a tropical and slightly tart taste.
• Lemonade: Brings a bright citrus note.
• Dragon fruit: Adds fruit texture and a colorful appearance.

How Is It Made?

1. The blackberry and passion fruit flavor mixture is prepared.
2. Lemonade is added as the main liquid base.
3. The drink is poured over ice.
4. Freeze-dried dragon fruit is added.
5. The finished drink is served cold.

Does It Contain Caffeine?

Yes. Like McDonald’s other Refreshers, the Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher contains caffeine.

What Does It Taste Like?

It has a bold berry flavor with tropical and slightly tart notes. The lemonade helps balance the fruit flavors and gives the drink a refreshing finish.

Sprite Berry Blast

Sprite Berry Blast puts a fruity twist on classic Sprite. It combines Sprite with blue raspberry flavor and chilled cold foam.

Main Ingredients

• Sprite
• Blue raspberry flavor
• Chilled cold foam
• Ice

Flavor Profile

• Sprite: Provides the familiar lemon-lime soda flavor and carbonation.
• Blue raspberry: Adds a sweet berry taste.
• Cold foam: Creates a creamy texture on top.

How Is Sprite Berry Blast Made?

1. Sprite is poured over ice.
2. Blue raspberry flavor is added to the soda.
3. The ingredients are combined.
4. Chilled cold foam is placed on top.
5. The drink is served cold.

What Makes It Different?

Regular Sprite has a crisp lemon-lime flavor, while Sprite Berry Blast adds a sweet blue raspberry taste and creamy cold foam. This gives the drink a different flavor and texture from traditional Sprite.

Dirty Dr Pepper

Dirty Dr Pepper gives classic Dr Pepper a creamy twist. The drink combines Dr Pepper with vanilla flavor and chilled cold foam.

Main Ingredients

• Dr Pepper
• Vanilla flavor
• Chilled cold foam
• Ice

Flavor Profile

• Dr Pepper: Provides the familiar soda base.
• Vanilla: Adds sweetness and a smooth flavor.
• Cold foam: Creates a creamy layer on top.

How Is Dirty Dr Pepper Made?

1. Dr Pepper is poured over ice.
2. Vanilla flavor is added to the soda.
3. The drink is mixed to combine the flavors.
4. Chilled cold foam is added to the top.
5. The finished drink is served immediately.

Calories and Sizes

McDonald’s currently lists Dirty Dr Pepper in small, medium, and large sizes. A large Dirty Dr Pepper contains 410 calories, according to McDonald’s product information.

What Does It Taste Like?

Dirty Dr Pepper has a sweet and creamy taste. The vanilla softens the soda’s flavor, while the cold foam creates a smooth texture as it mixes with the drink.

Orange Dream

Orange Dream combines a bright orange soda flavor with vanilla and chilled cold foam. McDonald’s has offered versions made with orange beverages such as Hi-C Orange Lavaburst and Fanta.

Main Ingredients

• Orange-flavored soda or beverage
• Vanilla flavor
• Chilled cold foam
• Ice

Flavor Profile

• Orange: Provides a sweet and refreshing citrus taste.
• Vanilla: Adds a creamy dessert-like flavor.
• Cold foam: Gives the drink a smooth and creamy topping.

How Is Orange Dream Made?

1. The orange beverage is poured over ice.
2. Vanilla flavor is added.
3. The drink is mixed together.
4. Chilled cold foam is added to the top.
5. The drink is served cold.

What Does It Taste Like?

Orange Dream tastes like a creamy orange soda. The citrus flavor provides freshness, while vanilla adds sweetness and makes the drink taste more like a dessert.

Vanilla Swirl With Coca-Cola

Vanilla Swirl With Coca-Cola combines Coca-Cola with vanilla flavor and chilled cold foam. It gives classic cola a sweeter and creamier taste.

Main Ingredients

• Coca-Cola
• Vanilla flavor
• Chilled cold foam
• Ice

Flavor Profile

• Coca-Cola: Provides the classic cola flavor and carbonation.
• Vanilla: Adds a sweet and smooth note.
• Cold foam: Creates a creamy topping.

How Is Vanilla Swirl With Coca-Cola Made?

1. Coca-Cola is poured over ice.
2. Vanilla flavor is added.
3. The soda and flavor are combined.
4. Chilled cold foam is placed on top.
5. The drink is served cold.

Calories and Caffeine

A small Vanilla Swirl With Coca-Cola contains 250 calories according to McDonald’s current product information. Because Coca-Cola is the base, the drink also contains caffeine.

Reduced-Sugar Options

McDonald’s also offers some specialty soda combinations with reduced-sugar soda options, including versions made with Diet Coke, depending on location and availability.

Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer

The Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer is one of the newest additions to McDonald’s beverage lineup. McDonald’s introduced it nationwide at participating U.S. restaurants on August 17, 2026.

Main Ingredients

• Red Bull
• Blue raspberry flavor
• Freeze-dried dragon fruit
• Ice

Flavor Profile

• Red Bull: Provides the energy-drink base.
• Blue raspberry: Adds a sweet and fruity flavor.
• Dragon fruit: Provides extra fruit flavor, texture, and color.
• Ice: Keeps the beverage cold.

How Is Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer Made?

1. Red Bull is used as the main drink base.
2. Blue raspberry flavor is added.
3. The mixture is served over ice.
4. Freeze-dried dragon fruit is added.
5. The finished Energizer is served cold.

Customers can also choose Red Bull Zero for a reduced-sugar option at participating locations. McDonald’s also offers an 8.4-ounce Red Bull can at participating restaurants.

Calories and Caffeine

McDonald’s lists the standard Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer at 80 mg of caffeine and 200 calories on its current product information.

Several of the new drinks contain caffeine, including the Refreshers and the Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer. The amount can vary by drink and size, so customers who are sensitive to caffeine should check the drink information before ordering. For general information about caffeine and how it affects the body, the FDA’s caffeine guide is a useful resource.

Who Should Avoid It?

Because this drink contains caffeine, McDonald’s advises that its Energizers are not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, or people who are sensitive to caffeine.

What Does It Taste Like?

The drink has a sweet blue raspberry flavor with a fruity dragon fruit touch. Red Bull provides the familiar energy-drink taste, while the fruit ingredients make it different from a regular can of Red Bull.

McDonald’s New Drinks Prices 2026

Drink	Small	Medium	Large	Estimated Price Range
Strawberry Watermelon Refresher	$2.99–$3.49	$3.49–$3.99	$3.99–$4.49	$2.99–$4.49
Mango Pineapple Refresher	$2.99–$3.49	$3.49–$3.99	$3.99–$4.49	$2.99–$4.49
Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher	$2.99–$3.49	$3.49–$3.99	$3.99–$4.49	$2.99–$4.49
Sprite Berry Blast	$2.49–$2.99	$2.99–$3.49	$3.49–$3.99	$2.49–$3.99
Dirty Dr Pepper	$2.49–$2.99	$2.99–$3.49	$3.49–$3.99	$2.49–$3.99
Orange Dream	$2.49–$2.99	$2.99–$3.49	$3.49–$3.99	$2.49–$3.99
Vanilla Swirl With Coca-Cola	$2.49–$2.99	$2.99–$3.49	$3.49–$3.99	$2.49–$3.99
Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer	—	—	About $4–$6	About $4–$6

McDonald’s new drink prices can vary by location. The prices shown above are estimated U.S. menu ranges and should be used as a general guide rather than a fixed national price. McDonald’s says prices and participation may vary, while delivery prices can also be higher than restaurant prices.

McDonald’s confirms that the three Refreshers are available in small, medium, and large sizes, while its official menu currently lists the new specialty beverages.

What Makes the New Drinks Different?

The biggest difference is the range of textures and flavors. Traditional fast-food drinks usually rely on fountain soda, iced tea, lemonade, or coffee. The new lineup adds ingredients such as freeze-dried fruit, popping boba, flavored syrups, and cold foam.

Refreshers focus on fruit and lemonade. Crafted Sodas combine familiar soft drinks with new flavors and creamy toppings. The Energizer adds an entirely different category by combining Red Bull with fruit flavors.

This wider selection gives customers options for different preferences. Someone who likes tropical fruit can choose Mango Pineapple, while a soda fan may prefer Dirty Dr Pepper or Sprite Berry Blast.

McDonald’s New Drinks and Fall 2026 Flavors

The mcdonalds new drinks lineup also includes seasonal McCafé beverages for fall 2026. These drinks bring the familiar flavors of caramel, apple, and pie into cold and hot coffee options.

Fall 2026 Drink Options

• Caramel Apple Pie Frappé: A cold, blended drink inspired by the flavors of a caramel apple pie.
• Caramel Apple Pie Iced Coffee: A chilled coffee drink with caramel apple pie flavors.
• Caramel Apple Pie Latte: A warm latte that combines coffee with seasonal caramel and apple pie flavors.
• Caramel Apple Pie Iced Latte: A cold version of the seasonal latte with the same fall-inspired flavor profile.

Main Ingredients

Depending on the drink, the seasonal flavors can include:

• Caramel apple pie-flavored syrup
• Apple pie crumble
• Salted caramel-flavored whipped topping
• Coffee or espresso
• Ice for iced beverages
• Milk or dairy ingredients

What Do These Drinks Taste Like?

• Caramel: Adds a rich and sweet flavor.
• Apple: Provides a fruity taste associated with fall.
• Pie flavor: Adds warm bakery-style notes.
• Salted caramel: Creates a sweet and slightly salty finish.

Hot vs. Cold Options

McDonald’s offers the seasonal flavor in both hot and cold beverages.

• Choose the Caramel Apple Pie Latte if you prefer a warm coffee drink.
• Choose the Caramel Apple Pie Iced Latte for a chilled espresso drink.
• Choose the Caramel Apple Pie Iced Coffee if you want a lighter cold coffee option.
• Choose the Caramel Apple Pie Frappé if you prefer a cold, blended beverage.

Are These Drinks Available All Year?

No. These are limited-time fall beverages, so they may not remain on the McDonald’s menu throughout the year. Availability can also vary between restaurants.

Why Try the Fall Drinks?

These seasonal beverages are a good choice for customers who enjoy sweet coffee and autumn flavors. The combination of caramel, apple, and pie-inspired flavors gives the drinks a dessert-like taste while keeping coffee at the center of the beverage.

Final Thoughts

The mcdonalds new drinks lineup represents a major expansion of the restaurant’s beverage choices. Instead of focusing mainly on traditional fountain drinks and coffee, McDonald’s now offers Refreshers, crafted sodas, cold-foam drinks, popping boba, fruit toppings, and an energy drink.

The three original Refreshers bring strawberry-watermelon, mango-pineapple, and blackberry-passion-fruit combinations to the menu. Crafted options such as Sprite Berry Blast, Dirty Dr Pepper, Orange Dream, and Vanilla Swirl with Coca-Cola add new textures and flavors. The Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer gives customers another option when they want a caffeinated beverage.

Because menus can vary by restaurant and products can change, it is best to check the current McDonald’s menu or app before visiting. The company’s official U.S. menu currently lists these specialty drinks along with its traditional soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade, smoothies, frozen beverages, and McCafé coffee drinks.