McDonald's Tests Premium Beverages in 500 Stores After CosMc's

McDonald’s is set to test a new lineup of premium drinks at 500 locations across the country starting in September 2025. This move follows the discontinuation of its CosMc’s beverage-focused spinoff and aims to bring select CosMc’s-inspired drinks to a broader customer base. The test menu will include a mix of cold brews, frappes, soda-based drinks and colorful refreshers, aligning with consumer demand — particularly from Gen Z — for sweet, cold and visually appealing beverages.

The company is using this test not only to gauge customer interest but also to gather operational feedback from employees and franchisees. McDonald’s emphasizes that frontline input will be critical in optimizing beverage preparation, equipment use and in-store execution. Other QSR brands like Taco Bell and Caribou Coffee are also in the process of expanding their own beverage offerings to appeal to the demand for drink-focused menus.

For McDonald’s, this beverage test is part of a larger effort to reignite traffic amid recent sales stagnation. The brand has already ramped up menu innovation in 2025, with the addition of Crispy Chicken Strips, the Daily Double and the return of the beloved Snack Wraps. With dedicated internal teams now focusing on chicken, beef and beverages/desserts, McDonald’s is clearly signaling that new products — especially in high-margin categories like drinks — are key to future growth.