Taco Bell is testing Coffee Chillers and Churro Chillers starting Friday at two locations in Southern California. These are the first frozen drinks in the coffee and shake categories for the Irvine, Calif.-based chain.
The LTOs, which will be available all day, are inspired by Mexican flavors. The Coffee Chiller is served in a 16-ounce cup that’s swirled with a choice of Mexican Chocolate, Caramel Churro or Spiced Vanilla, then filled with blended iced coffee and topped with a layer of cold foam.
The Churro Chillers are swirled with the option of four flavors: Mexican Chocolate, Dulce de Leche Coffee, Wild Strawberry or Sweet Vanilla; each 16-ounce cup is then filled with a blended sweet shake and topped with cold foam and churro crumbles. Taco Bell colors the Sweet Vanilla version with a purple tint for a surprise twist.
“We’re always pushing the boundaries to deliver bold and craveable Mexican-inspired flavors our fans have come to expect from us, and these frozen drinks showcase how far our innovation goes,” said Taco Bell U.S. CMO Taylor Montgomery, in a statement. “We are constantly listening to what our fans are craving next and we are thrilled to offer them a frozen creation that’s just as delicious and desirable as their favorite menu item.”
Even before McDonald’s launch last week of its standalone beverage-centric concept CosMc’s, the major fast-food players have been revving up activity on the drinks side of the menu. Taco Bell itself debuted a new energy beverage in September, teaming up with Mountain Dew for the Baja Blast Charged Berry. It features the menu’s original Baja Blast tropical lime flavor swirled with sour strawberry. And brands including Sonic, Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s are leading beverage innovators, regularly introducing seasonal shakes, coffees and soft drinks.
Taco Bell is selling the Churro Chillers and Coffee Chillers for $4.19 at the two locations, available for a limited time while supplies last. The variations were developed to complement any “cheesy, spicy, crunchy craving” on Taco Bell’s menu, according to the chain.
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