McDonald's testing CosMc's-inspired drinks at restaurants

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FILE - A customer holds a Blueberry Ginger Boost at the now-closed CosMc's drive-thru. Getty Images

McDonald’s will soon begin testing select CosMc’s drinks in hundreds of locations spanning multiple states. 

CosMc’s closed

The backstory:

Earlier this summer, McDonald’s pulled the plug on its experimental beverage-forward concept, CosMc’s, which was launched in 2023.

Designed to capture the elusive afternoon snack crowd with colorful drinks that weren’t able to be integrated into McDonald’s existing kitchen systems, CosMc’s quickly made waves online but failed to stick around long-term. 

The small-format stores were optimized for afternoon traffic, offering drinks with names and ingredients more likely to be found at Starbucks or Dutch Bros than the Golden Arches.

READ MORE: McDonald’s is closing experimental CosMc’s restaurants

McDonald’s CosMc’s drinks

Big picture view:

McDonald’s is testing which drinks resonate best with its broader customer base and whether simplified versions can be folded into its permanent menu. 

What they're saying:

"We’re seeing real momentum in beverages, with more people – especially our Gen Z fans – turning to cold, flavorful drinks as a go-to treat," said Alyssa Buetikofer, Chief Customer Experience and Marketing Officer, McDonald’s USA. "It’s a great opportunity for us to meet our US customers’ evolving tastes and show up in new moments, like afternoon refreshment or snack breaks."

What we know:

McDonald’s listed the five drinks: 

• Toasted vanilla frappé 
• Strawberry watermelon refresher
• Sprite lunar splash
• Popping tropic refresher
• Creamy vanilla cold brew 

Image: McDonald’s corporate

McDonald’s said more than 500 select restaurants will have the drinks added to their menu later this summer, Sept. 2. 

What we don't know:

McDonald’s didn’t list which specific restaurants or states that will offer the lineup, except to say the drinks would be offered "across Wisconsin, Colorado and the surrounding areas." 

Descriptions and ingredient lists weren’t given, but the drinks were described as "cold coffees, fruity refreshers, crafted sodas, and energizing sips." 

Sizes and prices aren’t known yet. 

RELATED: Taco Bell has new ‘mocktails’ this summer

Taco Bell ‘mocktails’

Meanwhile:

McDonald’s isn’t the only fast food chain that’s doubling down on the booming specialty beverage industry. 

Taco Bell is also betting on beverage sales, and has a much larger strategy, including opening dozens more Live Más Cafés, a beverage-only concept similar to CosMc’s. 

Big picture view:

Taco Bell is also offering a taste of its specialty drink menu nationwide this summer. It’s offering six new Refrescas, which include two energy drinks and a frozen drink.