McCafé’s biggest drinks drop since 1993 is going nationwide

Source: Supplied

Macca’s is rolling out its biggest beverage launch since McCafé opened locally in 1993, with 10 new drinks landing across the country this month.

After first launching in Victoria and Queensland, the expanded McCafé range is now going national, bringing new iced coffees, fruity refreshers, crafted sodas and Red Bull-based energisers to Macca’s menus around Australia.


The launch introduces three new beverage categories: Refreshers, Energisers and Crafted Sodas, alongside a new collection of Iced and Cold Coffee. With new sweet twists, iced coffee builds, fruit-led drinks, popping pearls, cold foam and energy drinks, the range aims to give customers a few more ways to match their drink order to the mood of the day.

A drink for every mood

The expanded range also lands right in the middle of Australia’s “little treat” era as new research commissioned by the fast food brand finds that more than half of Aussies (56 per cent) choose beverages based on their mood, personality or energy levels, while the remainder see grabbing a drink as the perfect reward after a busy day.

So, for those questioning why a morning coffee suddenly has so much power over them, it’s because the drink order is doing a bit more emotional labour than it used to.

Since Victoria and Queensland have already had dibs on the new range, local creators were quick to share their thoughts. The Red Bull Dragonberry Energiser and Iced Golden Caramel Latte earned some of the strongest early thumbs ups.

Many of the early taste tests have also pointed to the drinks being on the sweeter side, which is worth noting for anyone who likes their iced drinks closer to dessert.

The new McCafé range is split across Iced and Cold Coffee, Refreshers, Crafted Sodas and Energisers, with 10 new beverages joining the menu nationally.

Iced and Cold Coffee:

Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso with Oat Milk – Smooth, creamy layers of espresso and rich brown sugar flavour, shaken over ice and finished with oat milk, available exclusively in Australia.

Iced Golden Caramel Latte – Combining vanilla and caramel flavours with espresso and milk, served on ice and finished with McDonald’s signature caramel sundae topping.

Iced Velvet Mocha with Cold Foam – A rich espresso base blended with chocolate and caramel flavours, topped with cold foam and an extra drizzle of chocolate and caramel.

Choc Coconut Frappé – Chocolate frappé base, served with sweet coconut syrup.

Refreshers:

Strawberry Watermelon Refresher – Sweet strawberry and watermelon blended with tangy lemonade over ice, with freeze-dried strawberries for an extra treat.

Popping Mango Refresher – Tropical mango and pineapple flavours with tangy lemonade served over ice, featuring strawberry popping pearls that burst on your tongue.

Crafted Sodas:

Berry Blast & Sprite – Blended with sweet blue raspberry flavour, topped with cold foam and served over ice.

Popping Green Apple & Sprite – Served over ice with tangy green apple popping pearls that burst on your tongue.

Energisers:

Red Bull Peach Boost Energiser – Red Bull with sweet peach flavour, served over ice.

Red Bull Dragonberry Energiser – Red Bull with blue raspberry flavour, topped with freeze-dried dragon fruit and served over ice.

Red Bull 250mL – Classic Red Bull Energy Drink.

Red Bull Zero 250mL – Original Taste. Zero Sugar. The new taste of Red Bull Zero, sweetened with monk fruit extract. Available in Queensland and Victoria only.

Annabel Fribence, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s Australia, said drinks had become much more than something to sip for customers.

“For our customers, drinks have become so much more than just something to sip – they’re a way to kick-start the day, recharge in the afternoon, connect with friends or simply treat yourself.

“To match the way Aussies are embracing beverages today, we’re rolling out our biggest beverage launch since McCafé opened in Australia over 30 years ago, featuring bold new flavours, quality ingredients and something for every mood and moment.

“McCafé has been part of Australia’s café culture for more than three decades, and this launch marks an exciting next chapter in that journey. The new range received a fantastic response during the trial, and now it’s time for Aussies across the country to pick their favourite. Mine’s the Berry Blast & Sprite!”

Sydney gets first pour

To celebrate the national launch, McDonald’s is also opening the McCafé Little Drinks Bar, a one-day-only pop-up in Sydney giving customers a chance to try the new range for free while drinks last.

The pop-up will be held at 11 Little Burton St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, on Saturday, July 11, from 2 pm to 5 pm. Entry is free.

The event ties back to the same “little treat” behaviour behind the launch, with 45 per cent of Aussies considering buying a beverage an everyday little treat. The McCafé Little Drinks Bar is designed as a place for customers to try the new drinks and find a go-to sip for different moods, moments and occasions.

For everyone outside Sydney, the expanded McCafé range will land nationwide from Wednesday, July 15.

Source: Omnicom

Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.

Pallavi Mathur

pallavim9893@gmail.com

Pallavi Mathur is the founder and editor of Crumb Wire. She cut her teeth in PR before turning her lifelong passion for food into a full time gig. Pallavi brings readers a daily digest of what's hot in food and drink, covering restaurants, retail and features rooted firmly in food culture.

https://crumbwire.com/

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