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McDonald’s is expanding its drinks menu with new refreshers, ‘dirty sodas’, and energy-style beverages as it looks to attract younger customers and boost sales beyond food across its global outlets.
McDonald’s prepares for a low-key drinks menu overhaul.McDonald's is expanding its drinks menu with a range of new speciality beverages, including refreshers, crafted sodas and energy-style drinks, as the company looks to grow its beverage business and attract more customers.
McDonald’s broadens beverage line-up
The move is part of a wider strategy by the fast-food chain to increase sales beyond its traditional food items. The company has begun introducing these drinks across select locations, with plans to expand availability more widely in the coming months.
The expansion includes a variety of new options such as "crafted sodas," "refreshers," and even energy drinks. One of the most notable additions is the "dirty soda"—a trend that gained massive popularity on social media platforms like TikTok.
These drinks typically consist of a carbonated soft drink mixed with cream, flavoured syrups, and lime juice. By adding these to the menu, McDonald’s is directly challenging smaller, regional chains that have built entire business models around customisable fizzy drinks.
Why this sudden change
This strategy is part of a broader effort to boost sales during the "afternoon slump," the period between lunch and dinner when restaurant foot traffic typically slows down. Company executives have identified beverages as a high-margin category with significant growth potential. During a recent investor meeting, leadership emphasised that the brand needs to evolve to meet changing consumer tastes, particularly among younger diners who prioritse customisation and variety.
According to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Fox Business, the company is looking to replicate the success of its "CosMc’s" pilot programme. CosMc’s is a small-format, beverage-led concept that McDonald’s began testing last year. The pilot focused on complex drinks like "Sour Cherry Energy Slushies" and "S’mores Cold Brews." The success of these tests has given the company the confidence to bring similar items to its primary golden-arched restaurants.
"We’re essentially looking at how we can win in the beverage space," a company spokesperson noted during the announcement. The brand is also introducing "refreshers," which are fruit-flavoured, caffeinated iced drinks that are expected to compete directly with similar offerings at Starbucks and Dunkin’. These drinks are often seen as a lighter alternative to milkshakes or heavy coffees.
The rollout of the expanded drinks menu is expected to vary by region, with some items being tested in select markets before a broader launch.
McDonald’s has not confirmed a single timeline for global availability but has indicated that more updates will follow as testing continues.
About the Author
Trisha Bhattacharya
Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. <br> She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis. <br> Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing. Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. <br> Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.
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