Macca's just dropped 10 new items, but most of Australia is missing out

Australia's love of elaborate 'refresher' drinks has just gone mainstream, with McDonald's Australia announcing a trial of 10 hand-crafted drinks across Queensland and Victoria.

The new range will be available via McDonald's McCafe at select locations from February 25.

Included in the range are fruity refreshers, crafted sodas and vibrant energisers as well as a new mix of iced and cold coffees.

The eye-catching range of drinks includes fun features such as fluffy cold foam, freeze-dried strawberries and green apple popping pearls.

McDonald's has described the trial as more than a menu update, labelling it a "total glow-up of the McCafe drink experience".

More than 500 McDonald's restaurants in Victoria and Queensland will participate in the trial, with the hope the new range will be made available nationwide later this year.

This new release follow's McDonald's limited-edition matcha range earlier this year.

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These included an Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte, an Iced Matcha Latte and a regular Matcha Latte available for sale.

This latest range of drinks goes even further and includes Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso with Oat Milk, Iced Golden Caramel Latte, Iced Velvet Mocha with Cold Foam, and a Choc Coconut Frappe.

The refreshers range includes Strawberry Watermelon, and Popping Mango.

The crafted sodas are Berry Blast & Sprite, and Popping Green Apple & Sprite.

The Energisers range includes Red Bull Peach Boost, Red Bull Dragonberry and Classic Red Bull Energy Drink.

"Macca's is seriously stepping up the drink game and helping shape what's next for McCafé drinks worldwide," Annabel Fribence, Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald's Australia, said.

"McCafé started in Australia as a homegrown coffee brand and is now evolving into a true beverage destination – unlocking more choice, more occasions and more reasons for customers to visit Macca's throughout the day.

"The new lineup is cold, bold and expressive - designed for what our customers actually want to drink right now.

"Try everything, mix it up and find the one that gets you. This is just the beginning."

KFC Australia launched a similar trial of new drinks in 2025 called KWENCH by KFC. This includes 10 beverages across four delicious categories.

KFC's refreshment line features Lemonades, Boba Refreshers, Krunch Shakes and Iced Koffee Krunch.

Krunch Shakes are also part of the range and are reminiscent of the beloved and discontinued Krusher Shakes.

Shoppers can pick from caramel or chocolate Krunch Shakes, topped with biscuit crumb, or the tropical mango coconut Krunch Shake with shredded coconut.

Customers can also choose from Raspberry Lemonade, and Green Tea with Hibiscus Pearls as well as Spicy Mango Lemonade made with Hot Honey.

Coffee lovers are taken care of, too, with the release of the iced latte. There is also the iced caramel or iced mocha Koffee Krunch.

Sally Spriggs, Group Marketing Director at KFC Australia, commented: "We're always looking to push the boundaries of flavour, and KWENCH by KFC is our most exciting beverage innovation yet.

"This range has everything from refreshing lemonades to indulgent shakes that are prepared fresh in-restaurant."

Hitting Wollongong menus from Tuesday, March 25, at four select restaurants, the drinks will debut at KFC locations Fairy Meadow, Unanderra, Warrawong and Dapto.

It isn't known if and when KFC's KWENCH range will be rolled out nationwide following the trial which has spanned almost a year, although it has also landed in Cairns.

A KFC Australia spokesperson told nine.com.au: "The KWENCH by KFC range, first enjoyed in Wollongong, is now also quenching thirsts in Cairns, bringing 10 delicious flavours across four categories: Frozen Floats, Lemonades, Boba Refreshers and Krunch Shakes.

"Adding to the excitement, from 24^th February, we're also dropping the brand-new Fairy Bread Krunch Shake and Lychee Boba Refresher!

"We're constantly innovating, so keep an eye out for even more exciting KWENCH by KFC flavour additions and for the range to potentially land at a location near you."

Australia's love of 'refresher' drinks exploded with the launch of boba tea outlets and Starbuck's popular range of mixers and lemonades.

The Starbucks range was available in the US for years before arriving in Australia in 2022, attracting younger customers to the coffee franchise.

Boost Juice and Soul Origin quickly followed suit with similar refreshers and "fruit crushers" alongside boutique bubble tea shops which featured flavours such as lychee, yuzu, and dragon fruit.

Social media became filled with videos of influencers enjoying the visually-appealing drinks, adding to their popularity.

Starbucks' most famous refresher drink became the Pink Drink, a blend of strawberry acai with coconut milk.

This drink gained legendary status in the US before finally arriving in Australia, and the Barbie movie release in 2023 added to its popularlity.

McDonald's has chosen the perfect time of the year to launch the new drinks range, with heatwaves reported across the country, including in Queensland and Victoria.

It is hoped following a successful trial the new range will roll out across the country.

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