McDonald's introduces new Red Bull drinks to menu
As this summer's refresher and soda drink wars heat up, McDonald's is upping the ante and teaming up with Red Bull to add new energy drinks to its menu.
The fast-food chain will now offer Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer drinks, which McDonald's says combines Red Bull's "signature" flavor with a blue raspberry syrup, ice and freeze-dried dragonfruit "infusions." The drink was first introduced in Australia earlier this year in February.
In a statement, McDonald's said customers have been excited about new drink offerings.
"We've seen growing enthusiasm for our crafted sodas and refreshers as fans look for more variety and options to fit every occasion," Alyssa Buetikofer, chief marketing and customer experience officer for McDonald's USA, said. "They loved the Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer when we first tested it in the U.S., so we're excited to give fans nationwide the energy they've been craving with Red Bull. And we're just getting started."
McDonald's notes that the Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer drink contains 80 mg of caffeine, "around the same as an instant coffee (1 teaspoon/cup)."
When it comes to caffeine, the Food and Drug Administration notes that about 400 mg of caffeine a day, or "about two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee for adults," could be a safe amount for adults to consume but warns people may have different sensitivity levels to caffeine. Despite the popularity of energy drinks among children, doctors and the American Academy of Pediatrics do not recommend any caffeine consumption in kids, including in beverages like energy drinks.
For those who want a low-sugar option, McDonald's is also introducing Red Bull Zero to its permanent drink lineup.
Joining its existing lineup, McDonald's will also offer a new Diet Coke Vanilla Swirl topped with cold foam and an Orange Dream with Fanta.
The new drinks at McDonald's will be available starting Aug. 17.
