McDonald’s Is Launching a New Menu Designed Entirely Around Dirty Sodas
McDonald’s spent the past few years experimenting behind the scenes, including a beverage-focused concept called CosMc’s that launched in late 2023 and shut down in 2025. It wasn’t a failure so much as a test round. Drinks like Sour Cherry Energy Burst and Blackberry Mint Green Tea helped the company understand what customers actually ordered.
By 2025, testing had expanded to around 500 locations in the United States. Starting in May 2026, McDonald’s will roll out a new lineup of refreshers and crafted sodas across the country, marking what it has called a “new era of beverages.” Energy drinks are expected later in the year, with some reports saying select items will debut in August.
The Menu That’s Built Around Dirty Sodas
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At the center of this launch is a trendy drink in the United States: dirty sodas. It takes a classic soft drink and mixes in extras like cream, flavored syrups, or citrus. A notable example heading to menus is a Dirty Dr. Pepper, a style that gained popularity in Utah by combining soda with coconut cream and lime.
McDonald’s is pairing that with options designed to hit different moods during the day. Early reports confirm a Mango Pineapple Refresher and a Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, along with a Sprite Berry Blast. Later in the year, a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer is expected to join the lineup.
Internal insights suggest customers embrace beverages that feel like treats. That explains why bold, sweet combinations are taking the lead, rather than ingredients like matcha or turmeric.
Competing On Price And Scale
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McDonald’s plans to price these drinks lower than competitors like Starbucks, Dutch Bros, and Sonic Drive-In. With more than 45,000 locations worldwide, McDonald’s can produce and serve these drinks faster and more cheaply than most specialty chains. Franchisees have already invested thousands of dollars per store in new equipment to efficiently handle mixing.
Why This Is An Important Move Right Now
The timing lines up with a booming global beverage market, estimated at around $100 billion. It also reflects a change in how people approach fast food. Drinks are becoming a reason to visit in themselves. That opens the door to new daily habits, especially during slower hours, such as mid-afternoon.