McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) plans to refresh its U.S. cold drink menu later this year with new options, including energy drinks and flavored refreshers. This move comes as the company explores ways to draw in more customers through beverages. The changes reflect a careful strategy to boost sales in a competitive market.
McDonald’s has tested specialty drinks before, often with mixed results. Back in 2015, the chain tried selling Monster Energy drinks in select U.S. locations to tap into the growing energy drink market. Those tests generated buzz but did not lead to a nationwide rollout, suggesting limited long-term success. More recently, in 2024 and 2025, McDonald’s launched CosMc’s, a beverage-focused concept with fruity lemonades and iced teas, but closed all five test sites by mid-2025 after customer interest waned.
The upcoming lineup, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, includes a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer, which mixes Red Bull’s Dragonberry flavor with the restaurant’s frozen drinks. Other additions feature a Dirty Dr Pepper, blending Dr Pepper with vanilla and cream for a creamy twist, and a Mango Pineapple Refresher, a non-carbonated fruit drink. These roll out in phases: crafted sodas and refreshers in May 2026, followed by energy drinks in August.
For investors, this menu evolution signals McDonald’s focus on beverages, which account for about 6% of U.S. sales but offer higher margins than food. The company aims to compete with Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX), which dominates with iced energy drinks and refreshers generating over $1 billion annually. Past tests like CosMc’s showed beverages can attract younger crowds, but execution matters to avoid flops.
McDonald’s builds on lessons from past drink trials to sharpen this latest effort. Energy drinks and refreshers could boost foot traffic and sales if they resonate beyond initial tests, especially by drawing in Gen Z and busy adults with quick caffeine hits or fruity alternatives to soda. With pricing likely below Starbucks’ premium refreshers, these additions encourage meal pairings and help the chain compete in a crowded beverage space.
