Overview
- McDonald's, which will start selling the Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer on Monday, Aug. 17, is adding its first energy-drink item to U.S. restaurants nationwide.
- The Dragonberry Energizer mixes Red Bull with blue raspberry syrup and freeze-dried dragonfruit and contains about 80 mg of caffeine; customers can swap in Red Bull Zero or buy an 8.4-ounce can at participating locations.
- The rollout also introduces new crafted sodas such as a Vanilla Swirl and Orange Dream plus reduced-sugar soda options, with availability varying by restaurant.
- Federal and pediatric guidance factors into the launch because the FDA cites about 400 mg of caffeine a day as a typical adult limit and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no caffeine for children.
- The nationwide launch follows tests in select U.S. markets and Australia and signals McDonald's strategy to refresh its menu, attract younger customers, and try to boost traffic and sales.