Latest news with #Refrescas
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Taco Bell's new concept, Live Más Café, expanding to more locations
When is a Taco Bell location not a Taco Bell? When it's a Live Más Café. The popular fast-food chain is branching out with a new type of restaurant, the Live Más Café, which will offer a wide variety of customizable beverages including specialty coffees and the newly launched Refrescas – some of which are caffeinated – along with Taco Bell food dishes. The first new Live Más Café is scheduled to open early next month in Orange, California, the company said in a recent news release. It comes after the success of the first test location, which opened in Chula Vista, California, in November 2024 under the operation of franchise partner Diversified Restaurant Group, which owns about 300 Taco Bells and 28 Arby's locations across the U.S. By the end of the year, Taco Bell is planning to add 30 more Live Más Cafés, all part of the chain's attempt to respond to Generation Z's thirst for beverages – and grow its drink revenue to $5 billion by 2030. '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,' said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's global chief food innovation officer. '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.' Eating out? These menu items will cost you more. What is a Live Más Café? The Live Más Café is an "innovative beverage concept," an extension of existing restaurants giving customers the option of a "craveable lineup of signature drinks as well as Taco Bell favorites" on the food menu, the company said in a statement to USA TODAY. Customers can expect "an elevated in-restaurant experience, featuring modern interiors and standout hospitality" from the cafe's specialty drink mixers, called "Bellristas." Where is Taco Bell opening Live Más Cafés? Taco Bell plans to open 30 new Live Más Cafés within existing Taco Bell restaurants by the end of 2025. Beyond that, not all 8,000-plus Taco Bells will add Live Más Café addition to opening a Live Más Café early in August in Orange, California (468 S Main St.), Taco Bell has said these other areas will soon be getting them, too (no addresses or opening dates released): What type of drinks can I get at Taco Bell's Live Más Cafés? The menu will boast more than 30 signature beverages, including frozen blended Churro Chillers (limited availability), Dirty Mountain Dew Baja Blast Dream Sodas, specialty coffees and the newly-launched Refrescas include the Agua Refrescas (caffeinated and available in strawberry passionfruit, dragonfruit berry, and mango peach flavors), Rockstar Energy Refrescas (caffeinated, pineapple lime or tropical punch flavors), and the Refresca Freeze, a frozen strawberry lime flavor drink with real freeze-dried fruit pieces. Contributing: Gabe Hauari. Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY's Trending team. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @ & @mikesnider & msnider@ What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
Time Out
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Taco Bell ups its beverage game with a new 'mocktails' menu
This summer, Taco Bell is rolling out a new beverage lineup that's as bold as its tacos: Say hello to Refrescas, a six-drink menu crafted to quench every craving, from your midday slump to your late afternoon sweet tooth. The new Refrescas menu is split into three categories: Agua Refrescas, Rockstar Energy Refrescas and the icy cold Refresca Freeze. Agua Refrescas come in Strawberry-Passionfruit, Dragonfruit-Berry and Mango-Peach—each shaken with real freeze-dried fruit pieces and a gentle kick of green tea caffeine. They're the perfect sip for breezy afternoons. For a bigger jolt, Taco Bell teamed up with Rockstar to deliver two energy-charged drinks: pineapple lime and tropical punch, each packing 200mg of caffeine. And for those chasing the chill, there's the Refresca Freeze. This frozen strawberry-lime treat is loaded with freeze-dried fruit bits and is sure to tame those hot summer days. "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," said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's Global Chief Food Innovation Officer in a statement. Following successful limited-time tests, Refrescas are now on menus nationwide, though officially for 'a limited time only, while supplies last.' Prices might vary depending on location. But Taco Bell's drink strategy goes beyond new flavors. By the end of the year, the chain plans to add 30 more Live Más Cafés inside existing restaurants across Southern California and Texas. These cafés focus on specialty drinks—colorful, Instagram-ready options—served by specially trained "Bellristas." It's all part of Taco Bell's push to make its beverages as iconic as its Crunchwraps. From tropical punch pleasers that double as energy boosters to frozen strawberry lime blends that taste like summer, Refrescas aim to be more than just drinks—they're an experience.
Indianapolis Star
15-07-2025
- Health
- Indianapolis Star
Taco Bell has 6 new beverages. What are Refrescas?
If you've gone to a Taco Bell recently, you may have noticed more beverage options to choose from on the menu. The company announced on June 26 it was introducing new beverages called Refrescas to menus nationwide. According to the chain, the drinks are crafted to "quench every kind of craving – whether you're seeking a refreshing sip, an energizing boost or a frozen escape." The six drinks include three refreshers, two energy drinks and a cooling freeze. According to Taco Bell, the three Agua Refrescas join menus permanently after initially being tested in Southern California in 2024, with a positive response. Here's what to know about the new Taco Bell beverages. Taco Bell's full lineup of Refrescas includes: The Agua Refrescas cost $3.99 for a 20-ounce drink while the Rockstar Energy Refrescas cost $4.49 for a 20-ounce beverage. The Refrescas Freezes are available in a 16-ounce or 20-ounce option and cost $3.79 and $3.99, respectively. Taco Bell is seemingly going after younger consumers searching for fresh beverage options. '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,' said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's Global Chief Food Innovation Officer, in the June 26 news release. '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.' Taco Bell Refrescas do contain caffeine ranging from 52 mg to 200 mg. Healthy adults can generally consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day without negative affects, according to the FDA. However, the FDA warns about heavy consumption of caffeine among children. "Too much caffeine in children and teens can cause increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, and lead to sleep problems, digestive problems and dehydration," the FDA says. In addition to the new beverages, Taco Bell also announced last month that Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos will be available at locations nationwide for a limited time. Both items feature a Crispy Chicken Strip inside and are available with new Spicy Ranchero and Avocado Ranch sauces. For $2.79, the Crispy Chicken Tacos layers its new crispy strip with purple cabbage, lettuce, pico de gallo and shredded cheddar cheese. Meanwhile, the Crispy Chicken Burrito includes two strips, purple cabbage, crisp lettuce, pico de gallo and cheddar cheese for $5.49. The chain is also offering two Crispy Chicken Strips for the price of $3.99, not to be confused with its Crispy Chicken Nuggets, which debuted last December and returned in April. Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Taco Bell has 6 new beverages. What are Refrescas?
If you've gone to a Taco Bell recently, you may have noticed more beverage options to choose from on the menu. The company announced on June 26 it was introducing new beverages called Refrescas to menus nationwide. According to the chain, the drinks are crafted to "quench every kind of craving – whether you're seeking a refreshing sip, an energizing boost or a frozen escape." The six drinks include three refreshers, two energy drinks and a cooling freeze. According to Taco Bell, the three Agua Refrescas join menus permanently after initially being tested in Southern California in 2024, with a positive response. Here's what to know about the new Taco Bell beverages. What are Taco Bell's Refrescas? List of new beverages Taco Bell's full lineup of Refrescas includes: How much are Taco Bell Refrescas? The Agua Refrescas cost $3.99 for a 20-ounce drink while the Rockstar Energy Refrescas cost $4.49 for a 20-ounce beverage. The Refrescas Freezes are available in a 16-ounce or 20-ounce option and cost $3.79 and $3.99, respectively. Why is Taco Bell adding Refrescas to the menu? Taco Bell is seemingly going after younger consumers searching for fresh beverage options. '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,' said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's Global Chief Food Innovation Officer, in the June 26 news release. '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.' Taco Bell Refrescas do contain caffeine ranging from 52 mg to 200 mg. Healthy adults can generally consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day without negative affects, according to the FDA. However, the FDA warns about heavy consumption of caffeine among children. "Too much caffeine in children and teens can cause increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, and lead to sleep problems, digestive problems and dehydration," the FDA says. Taco Bell also debuts Crispy Chicken Tacos, Burritos and Strips In addition to the new beverages, Taco Bell also announced last month that Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos will be available at locations nationwide for a limited time. Both items feature a Crispy Chicken Strip inside and are available with new Spicy Ranchero and Avocado Ranch sauces. For $2.79, the Crispy Chicken Tacos layers its new crispy strip with purple cabbage, lettuce, pico de gallo and shredded cheddar cheese. Meanwhile, the Crispy Chicken Burrito includes two strips, purple cabbage, crisp lettuce, pico de gallo and cheddar cheese for $5.49. The chain is also offering two Crispy Chicken Strips for the price of $3.99, not to be confused with its Crispy Chicken Nuggets, which debuted last December and returned in April. Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
15-07-2025
- Business
Taco Bell expands beverage menu with 6 new sips for summer
Taco Bell is leaning into liquids that go beyond Mountain Dew Baja Blast with the addition of new Refrescas to its beverage menu that the fast food chain hopes will quench every kind of craving. The Irvine, California-based quick service restaurant, owned by Yum! Brands, announced new permanent menu items last month in an attempt to make its drinks as iconic as its food offerings. The company said its goal is to reach $5 billion in beverage sales by 2030. "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," Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's global chief food innovation officer, said in a statement. "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." Taco Bell launches Refrescas as new premium beverage option "Taco Bell's all-new Refrescas lineup features six drinks crafted to deliver a variety of flavors and functions matching any mood, meal, or moment: three thirst-quenching refreshers, two electrifying energy drinks, and a cooling Freeze," the company said in a press release. "The three Agua Refrescas join menus permanently after initially being tested in Southern California in 2024, with positive response proving fan cravings for premium beverages that pair perfectly with Taco Bell favorites." The newly launched six-drink lineup features the following options: Agua Refrescas Taco Bell's twist on the Mexican beverage agua fresca gets mixed with real freeze-dried fruit pieces and green tea to provide a subtle boost of caffeine -- 52 mg per beverage. The drinks are available in Strawberry Passionfruit, Dragonfruit Berry, and Mango Peach flavors and cost $3.99 for a 20-ounce size. Rockstar Energy Refrescas Fans can get a boost of caffeine in a Pineapple Lime or Tropical Punch Rockstar Energy Refresca, flavors the company said "were curated exclusively for Taco Bell." The drinks contain 200 mg of caffeine and cost $4.49 for a 20-ounce size. Refresca Freeze The Refresca Freeze is a frozen take on the Refresca lineup. It features freeze-dried fruit and transforms the Strawberry Lime flavor "for maximum cool down," the company said. It comes in two sizes, 16-ounce and 20-ounce, for $3.79 and $3.99, respectively. What to know about new Taco Bell Live Más Café locations Taco Bell also confirmed to "Good Morning America" the expansion of the brand's innovative beverage concept, Live Más Café, with 30 new locations set to open across Southern California and Texas by fall 2025. "Inspired by Gen Z's love for curated, customizable drinks, the [Live Más Café] concept offers over 30 signature beverages, from Churro Chillers and specialty coffees to Refrescas and Dirty Mountain Dew Baja Blast Dream Sodas," the company stated. "Live Más Café is reinventing the Taco Bell experience with expertly trained 'Bellristas' who handcraft the specialty drinks on the spot as part of the elevated in-restaurant atmosphere." "This is just the beginning of a multi-year beverage transformation, and Taco Bell is making one thing clear: bold refreshment is officially on the menu," it added.
