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    McDonald’s adds refreshers and crafted sodas to its menu
    • April 28, 2026

    McDonald’s is refreshing its soft drink menu with refreshers and elevated soft drinks.

    They include such ingredients as boba balls, fruit pieces and cold foam, making the fast food giant more competitive with chains such as Starbucks and Taco Bell with its Live Más Cafés.

    The official launch date is May 6, but some franchises will be offering new beverages as early as Tuesday, April 28, according to representatives.

    There are three refreshers: Strawberry Watermelon, Mango Pineapple with strawberry popping pearls and Blackberry Passion Fruit with freeze-dried dragonfruit pieces.

    Refreshers have a lemonade base, but customers will be able to customize if they prefer a water base, according to representatives.

    Crafted sodas with cold foam include Sprite Berry Blast begins with spicy Sprite and blue raspberry syrup; Orange Dream with Hi-C Orange Lavaburst and vanilla flavor; and a Dirty Dr Pepper.

    The beverages are part of the permanent menu and they have their own lids with sippers instead of cross-cut straw slots.

    Employees were trained on how to make them, and each restaurant will have “beverage specialists” in purple aprons to ensure customers get a consistant beverage experience, according to representatives.

    The new beverages cost $3.99 or $4.39, according to menu kiosks and the McDonald’s app. Prices may vary by location.

    McDonald’s attempted a beverage concept called CosMc’s in 2023, but closed all its locations in 2025. None were in California.

    McDonald’s has a lot going on. Last week it updated its McValue Menu with a $5 Breakfast Meal Deal that includes either a Sausage McMuffin or a Sausage Biscuit. It has been advertised as a $4 deal in other parts of the country.

    Restaurants are still promoting “KPop Demon Hunter” meals and the popular Big Arch burger from February, but those limited time offers are likely running their course.

    Information: mcdonalds.com

    In other beverage news, Starbucks has launched a tie-in with “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which opens in movie theaters Friday, May 1. It has coffees named for Miranda, Amy, Emily and Nigel, played by  Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.

    Information: starbucks.com

    ​ Orange County Register 

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