With the weather heating up and summer long weekends on the horizon, some QSRs are adding items to the menu that focus on beach days, road trips, and all things summer. Guests can beat the heat with seasonal flavours, fun on-the-go options, and some of their favourite throwbacks that offer a trendy summer feel with a side of nostalgia.
Dunkin’ has recently brought back Iced Beverage Buckets, a seasonal menu favourite, as part of their summer menu. The 48 oz. buckets can be filled with iced coffee or any of the summer Refresher flavours, including the Cherry Lime Rickey, Raspberry Limeade, Coconut Limeade, Matcha Limeade and the Strawberry Dragonfruit Limeade Refreshers.
Starbucks’ summer menu is now available, and it includes a colourful and flavourful collection of beverages. The new Tropical Butterfly Refresher features guava and passionfruit flavours, mango-pineapple flavored pearls, and a butterfly pea flower infusion, while the (returning) Iced Horchata Shaken Espresso and Frappuccino offer the flavour profile of traditional Mexican-style horchata.
McDonald’s has added a new drink lineup, including Refreshers, available in Mango Pineapple, Strawberry Watermelon, and Blackberry Passionfruit flavours, along with Dirty Sodas that come in Orange Dream, Sprite Berry Bliss, and Creamy Strawberry Coke varieties. In addition, McCafé Cloud Iced Coffees have been added to the menu, offering iced coffees topped with silky, sweet cold foam in Salted Caramel and French Vanilla flavours.
Shake Shack recently added some new summer flavours to their beverage menu, including Chocolate Toasted Marshmallow S’mores Shake, Key Lime Pie Shake, and Tropical Mango Shake with Passionfruit Popping Boba. A new Tropical Mango Lemonade, Sparkling Cucumber Basil and Strawberry Lemonade are all part of the summer beverage lineup.
Tim Hortons’ Sparkling Quenchers are not new to the menu, but the Raspberry Mojito Zero Sugar Sparkling Quencher has recently been added to the menu, alongside Blackberry Yuze and Orange Tangerine. These beverages are part of the fruity, refreshing trend making its way to most spring and summer menus this year.
Along with embracing summer with vibrant colours and fresh flavours, many of these options also allow for customization, providing guests with menu options they can make their own.
