14 Best New Fast Food Drinks Released In 2026 So Far

For too long, beverages have been the weak point on fast food menus. New burgers, revamped chicken nuggets, and new potato-delivery systems come and they go. But that same trusty, dusty soda fountain stays in place. And though innovations such as Coca-Cola's Freestyle machines have pushed drink personalization to the forefront, one can't help but think of drinks as a bit of an also-ran. But times, they are a-changin', and in 2026, there is no menu category hotter than flavorful soft drinks and novelty beverages. 

Perhaps this is in part due to the growing dirty soda trend, which has roots in Mormon culture, or maybe, just maybe, times are tough, and we're all craving a little treat. So it should be no surprise that 2026 has been quite the year for new and exciting fast food beverages. Of course, with so many choices, it can be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. And luckily, you don't have to, because we've gathered the tastiest brand new fast food drink offerings of 2026 so far. So get to scrolling, and maybe get to sipping too. 

To ring in the new year, Starbucks released a selection of pistachio options. Among these new offerings, there was a clear standout: the Pistachio Cortado. A cortado, not to be confused with a latte, is equal amounts espresso and steamed milk. This makes for a rich, espresso-focused flavor. For this drink, Starbucks added a subtly sweet pistachio flavoring along with concentrated ristretto shots of espresso and a salted brown butter flourish. This drink is the ultimate in comforting flavors, perfect for warming up cold January days. Let's see if this winter release will be back for 2027.

Everyone, it seems, is in search of the perfect matcha. And Dunkin' found it just in time for a Valentine's Day release. This drink was simple: a base of matcha and whole milk finished off with sweet cream cold foam. No, the matcha wasn't ceremonial grade or artisan, but this was a solid effort from Dunkin', and it was a solidly delicious matcha latte. This latte was only available through till February 17, 2026, but here's hoping it makes next year's lineup. 

In March 2026, Dunkin' introduced a line of banana-flavored beverages, a very fruity yet oddly coffee-compatible flavor. And the best out of Dunkin's many banana-tinged drinks was The Nutty Banana Cloud Dunkalatte. This drink was made from a base of espresso and coffee milk (a beloved Rhode Island staple) with hazelnut flavoring and a topping of banana-flavored cold foam. The warm nuttiness of hazelnut swirled perfectly with the sweetness of the banana to make a super-comforting and delicious drink.

Wingstop joined in on the store-exclusive soda game with one of its newest soft drink ventures this year. In partnership with Coca-Cola, Wingstop released Sprite Loco Lime. The flavor made its nationwide debut on April 7, 2026, alongside the Citrus Mojo wing flavor. However, this drink was available exclusively at locations that have Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines. It was also a limited-time release. As for the flavor, this drink combined Fanta Lime, Minute Maid Limeade, and Sprite for a uniquely citrus beverage. 

First released in late April 2026, Wendy's Watermelon Lemonade is just the thing to sip in spring, summer, or anytime you want a taste of warmer weather. This drink combined tangy lemonade with the cooling taste of watermelon for a delicious sipping experience. It's base was a lemonade made with no high fructose corn syrup and watermelon puree. Fans praised the drink's refreshing nature and the watermelon flavor which isn't overwhelming. So was just a kiss of melon flavor combined with the chain's fresh and tasty lemonade.

It's got Sprite, it's got berry, and it's a blast to drink. This beverage is one of McDonald's newest and boldest drink offerings. It's a part of the chain's (and the fast food industry's) renewed focus on novelty drinks. So what is a Sprite Berry Blast? This drink, first released in May 2026, consists of the chain's famously spicy Sprite combined with blue raspberry flavoring and topped with a creamy cold foam. It's reminiscent of the dirty sodas. This combination of citrus, berry flavoring, and cream is both refreshing and substantial, with the cold foam adding an unexpected richness.

Life could be a dream if you go to McDonald's for an Orange Dream. This drink is one of McDonald's newest drink offerings, featuring bright Orange Lavaburst Hi-C, vanilla, and a dollop of cold foam. All together, this tastes like an orange cream popsicle in drink form, blending rich vanilla with bright citrus in a delightful beverage. This drink first released in May 2026 and is still on the menu as of September. Not a fan of Hi-C? No worries. You can also order this with Fanta.

Another orange-and-cream selection, this time from Burger King. The chain's Orange Dreamsicle Freezee King was a part of wider menu changes in recent years (including a revamp of the chain's chicken nuggets, which even the Burger King president didn't care to eat) and offered a nostalgic take on the ice cream flavor — but in drink form. This drink debuted in June 2026 as a limited-time offering along with the chain's summer lineup of treats. It featured a Freezee base and a cold foam topper with sprinkles to boot. 

Initially released on June 16, 2026, Starbucks' limited-time Iced Blue Coconut Matcha was a part of the chain's partnership with Water.org's Get Blue initiative to help support the effort to expand clean water access. The Iced Blue Coconut Matcha featured a base of iced matcha with mango flavoring and a topper of coconut cold foam (colored blue with blue spirulina). It was lush, tropical, and super-refreshing. But sadly, according to reports on the r/Starbucks Reddit, it looks to have been discontinued, at least for now.

For Wendy's fall menu lineup, the staple fast food chain decided to go in a decidedly un-PSL direction. Instead, Wendy's is betting on red — apple that is. Wendy's new Apple Crumble Frosty Fusion combines vanilla frosty with oat crumbles and apple syrup. It's a fruity, creamy, and an ever-so-autumnal sip. This drink is a seasonal release, so it likely won't be available outside the fall season. This drink is fantastic for anyone who digs the thought of an apple crumble à la mode you can sip.

Now this one is a mouthful, both in flavor and name. First released in August 2026, this mashup of McDonald's deliciousness and Red Bull buzz is everything a daredevil sipper might want. This drink combines Red Bull with dried bits of dragon fruit and blue raspberry syrup for a fruity, slightly sour taste. You can also order it with Red Bull Zero for a lower-sugar beverage. This drink is both refreshing and an absolute treat.

Taco Bell is no stranger to a new or interesting drink. The chain's Baja Blast flavor of Mountain Dew, first released in 2004, has become a cult classic among soda aficionados (it's even been made into a pie, which is the pinnacle of fast food desserts). This is to say, expectations for new Taco Bell beverages are high. Luckily, the chain's new Pineapple Citrus Energy Refresher really delivers. This drink has a bright pineapple and citrus flavor with 120 milligrams of caffeine per 20-ounce serving. This drink was first released in August 2026 and is a limited time addition, so go ahead and grab a cup.

Want something a bit tropical with a lovely strawberry twist? Look no further than Taco Bell's new Strawberry Tropics Energy Refresher. This drink debuted alongside the Pineapple Citrus Energy Refresher. A 20-ounce serving has about 120 milligrams of caffeine. It is great for a pick-me-up, and its tropical flavor is perfectly in line with the vibes of the classic Baja Blast — but with a more nostalgic flavor profile.

Part of Taco Bell's trio of new caffeine-infused refreshers, the Pineapple Citrus Energy Freeze brings a slushy texture to the Pineapple Citrus Energy Refresher flavor. Fans love this drink enough to implore the chain to make is a permanent menu item. Here's hoping they do.