Taco Bell is launching a line of Agua Refrescas in three flavors—Strawberry Passionfruit, Peach Mango and Dragonfruit Berry—available in test for a limited time at one location only near the company’s headquarters in Irvine, California.
The fast-food chain’s take on the classic Mexican agua fresca features a base of green tea for an energy boost, sweet and tangy fruit flavors and pieces of real fruit in freeze-dried form.
“We want to make our beverages just as iconic as our food," said CMO Taylor Montgomery in a statement. “Our new Agua Refrescas are a perfect, vibrant pairing with everything our fans crave from Taco Bell and will help us on our journey to make Taco Bell a beverage destination.”
It seems like every quick-service brand is competing to become a beverage destination these days. McDonald’s is doing it in a grand way with its new and expanding CosMc’s, a standalone beverage concept. A big reason—the specialty beverage business generates $100 billion a year worldwide, as RB editor-in-chief Jonathan Maze reported.
Other QSRs are not exactly standing still. Chick-fil-A is now rotating in seasonal beverages at a faster clip and Sonic continues to innovate on the drinks side to retain its title as “The Ultimate Drink Stop.” The coffee chains are doing their part to keep up, too, especially with the emergence of creative beverage players like Swig stealing share.
Agua Refrescas are Taco Bell’s latest beverage test, following the recent LTO of Coffee Chillers and Churro Chillers tested in Southern California. The new drinks are available in a 16-ounce cup for $3.99 each while supplies last.
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