McDonald’s just introduced 6 new drinks with cold foam, real fruit, and a whole new feel

Split between crafted sodas and caffeinated refreshers, the drinks introduce mix-ins like blue raspberry syrup, dragon fruit, and strawberry popping boba.

Key Points

• McDonald’s is introducing six new permanent McCafé beverages on May 6, including three “crafted sodas” and three lemonade-based refreshers with layered flavors and toppings.
• The drinks feature ingredients like real fruit purées, popping boba, freeze-dried fruit, and a marshmallow-textured cold foam, served through a straw-free lid designed so the foam is tasted first.
• The lineup reflects the growing popularity of “dirty sodas,” positioning McDonald’s to compete with specialty beverage chains while delivering speed, convenience, and accessibility.

McDonald's has always had a way with drinks: Its “spicy” Sprite has a cult following, Diet Coke is widely considered the best in fast food, and Hi-C Orange made enough of an impression that fans campaigned to bring it back.

But starting May 6, the chain is adding six new permanent beverages to its McCafé lineup, and these aren't just new fountain flavors: they're layered drinks featuring real fruit, cold foam, and toppings that go well beyond the usual drive-thru order.

The crafted soda lineup includes a Dirty Dr Pepper that layers the classic Dr Pepper flavor with vanilla syrup; an Orange Dream that twists McDonald's own Hi-C Orange Lavaburst with a hint of vanilla for a sip that drinks like a creamsicle; and a returning Sprite Berry Blast that infuses Sprite with sweet blue raspberry syrup. All three are topped with a cold foam that has a light, marshmallowy texture and are served through a new straw-free sip lid called the "siplet," so the foam hits first with every sip rather than getting bypassed by a straw.

Orange DreamCredit: Courtesy of McDonald's Orange Dream Credit: Courtesy of McDonald's

Sprite Berry BlastCredit: Courtesy of McDonald's Sprite Berry Blast Credit: Courtesy of McDonald's

Dirty Dr PepperCredit: Courtesy of McDonald's Dirty Dr Pepper Credit: Courtesy of McDonald's

The caffeinated refreshers go in a different direction, with 45 to 75 milligrams of caffeine depending on the size, as all three are lemonade-based with real fruit purees and a textural hook that makes each one feel like its own experience. The Strawberry Watermelon blends sweet strawberry and watermelon flavors with freeze-dried strawberries, adding a burst of flavor and a pop of color. The Mango Pineapple mixes tropical mango and pineapple with strawberry popping boba, the brand's first permanent menu item to feature it. The Blackberry Passion Fruit pairs bold berry and passion fruit flavors with freeze-dried dragon fruit for a touch of sweetness and color against the tart lemonade base.

Dirty sodas, the customized fountain drinks topped with flavored syrups and cream that have been all over TikTok in the past year, are projected to grow 244% over the next four years, according to Datassential MenuTrends 2025. Innova Market Insights observes that Gen Z and Millennials are driving the trend, drawn to the ability to personalize their drinks and to bold, layered flavors that look as good on camera as they taste. McDonald's is branding its versions as "crafted sodas," but the approach tracks with the same movement: a familiar base drink built up with premium syrups and a topping.

Blackberry Passion Fruit RefresherCredit: Courtesy of McDonald's Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher Credit: Courtesy of McDonald's

Mango Pineapple RefresherCredit: Courtesy of McDonald's Mango Pineapple Refresher Credit: Courtesy of McDonald's

Strawberry Watermelon RefresherCredit: Courtesy of McDonald's Strawberry Watermelon Refresher Credit: Courtesy of McDonald's

Jennifer Del Vecchio, who leads McDonald's US beverage strategy, says the chain sees these drinks competing well beyond the typical quick-service lineup. "From a quality perspective, we're competing with those beverage specialists, but delivering at scale, at speed, at convenience, with the accessibility that is unmatched beyond McDonald's," Del Vecchio says.

All six drinks are permanent menu additions, available in-store starting May 6 — just in time for warm-weather afternoons and for something cold worth sipping slowly.

Crafted sodas

• Sprite Berry Blast
• Orange Dream
• Dirty Dr Pepper

Caffeinated refreshers

• Strawberry Watermelon Refresher
• Mango Pineapple Refresher
• Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher