Taco Bell Announces Major Change to Menu
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A mixologist at Mexican fast food chain Taco Bell must have had their creative juices flowing; bosses have announced that six new mocktails are set to feature on menus this summer.
The fruit-flavored soft drinks will be available at Taco Bell restaurants nationwide, with three of the "refrescas" already slated to become permanent additions to the brand's beverage offerings.
Newsweek has reached out to Taco Bell seeking further information and comment.
A Taco Bell restaurant on February 06, 2025 in Richmond, California.
A Taco Bell restaurant on February 06, 2025 in Richmond, California.)
Why It Matters
Taco Bell serves 2 billion customers each year worldwide, and boasts 8,121 locations in the U.S, according to the company's website. California has the most branches, with some 415 venues dotted throughout the golden state.
The drinks launch is part of the brand's "long-term beverage strategy as it aims to reach $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030," according to a press release issued by the company late last month.
The chain previously ran limited-time offers and taste test trials and is now introducing six refrescas across the country. Three of the drinks will become permanent additions to the menu after being successfully trialled in Southern California last year.
The new drinks being served at Taco Bell this summer.
The new drinks being served at Taco Bell this summer.
Taco Bell
What To Know
The six new drinks available in stores are:
Agua Refrescas ($3.99; 20oz)
Described by the brand as a "Taco Bell twist on the beloved Mexican beverage, mixed with real freeze-dried fruit pieces and green tea to provide a subtle boost of caffeine." The drinks contain artificial colors, the release added, and contain less than 1 percent juice. They are available in three flavors:
Strawberry Passionfruit
Dragonfruit Berry
Mango Peach
These three drinks will join menus permanently, Taco Bell has confirmed, saying a previous trial in California in 2024 showed a "positive response proving fan cravings for premium beverages that pair perfectly with Taco Bell favorites."
Rockstar Energy Refrescas ($4.49; 20oz)
These energy drinks "curated exclusively for Taco Bell" contain 200mg of caffeine. They do not contain any juice, despite the fruity-sounding flavors, and consist of a mix of natural and artificial flavors and colors. The restaurant chain said the energy refrescas are for "adult use only" and are not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, or anyone sensitive to caffeine. Flavors include:
Pineapple Lime
Tropical Punch
Refresca Freeze ($3.79/$3.99; 16oz/20oz)
This beverage is a frozen take on the refresca lineup, featuring real freeze-dried fruit pieces. It doesn't contain any juice, and contains natural and artificial flavors and colors. It comes in the following flavor:
Strawberry Lime
The restaurant chain's press release said the drinks are available at "participating locations for a limited time only, while supplies last." Prices may vary.
In addition to the new drinks, which are being rolled out at Taco Bells nationwide, the brand is also expanding its beverage-focused pop-up, known as Live Más Café. Some 30 more cafés are expected to open this year, some of which will be launched in partnership with franchise organization operators Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG). The baristas working at those venues are known in the company as "Bellristas."
"Building on the success of its Live Más Café test location in Chula Vista, California, Taco Bell is scaling the specialty beverage-focused concept by 30 more restaurants across Southern California and Texas by this fall," last month's press release said.
Fortune Magazine reported on the move, suggesting that Taco Bell believes there's still potential for growth in the specialty drinks space, and has apparently been despite McDonald's pulling the plug on its similar attempt to corner the market with CosMc's.
Taco Bell is not the only restaurant chain tweaking its menu this summer. Pizza Hut has also updated its dishes, while Red Lobster also unveiled some new options as part of its annual "Crabfest" event.
What People Are Saying
Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's Global Chief Food Innovation Officer said: "We're seeing today that people, especially younger consumers, are reaching for refreshing drinks as part of their lifestyle, whether it's for energy or a sweet treat throughout the day. So, we're making big investments to become the ultimate beverage stop where our fans can expect to see the same bold, unexpected creativity in their cups as they do on their plates."
What Happens Next
The drinks will be rolled out nationwide, with the chain's bosses hoping they're a hit with customers, so it can reach its target of hitting $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030.
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