QUENCHING YOUR THIRST

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Get ready for unique drinks

Fast-food chains want to help you hydrate

 

   There’s one thing more common to summer than sunburns and mosquitoes: goofy drinks. This season, everyone from McDonald’s to 7-Eleven to Sonic has ’em.    The USA’s biggest fast-food makers have a trayload on tap as they gear up for their most crucial selling season. Beverages are the industry’s most profitable menu item. But their calorie counts — especially in the ice-cream-based drinks — can be mind-boggling. (more after the break)

   “Think before you drink,” says Hope Warshaw, registered dietitian and author of Eat Out, Eat Right: The Guide to Healthier Restaurant Eating. She suggests water, iced tea or water with orange juice.    But that’s not what most thirsty folks want on a hot day. “We’ve been programmed to be hydration maniacs,” says Christopher Muller, dean at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration. “But we’re also prone to want something more exciting than water.”    Brewing for spring and summer:     

•Weird Slurpees. In June, 7-Eleven will be slapping Slurpees into cups with dual chambers, a special valve and two straws that let folks drink one or two Slurpee flavors at a time. One in three customers at 7-Eleven buys a drink, says Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, SVP of marketing.    •Lemonade twists. McDonald’s in May is rolling out McCafé Frozen Strawberry Lemonade. Dairy Queen has launched Lemonade Chillers in regular and strawberry.   

  •Mind-boggling shakes.    Sonic has plans in May for a shake dubbed Double Stuf Oreo Blast, whose ice cream is made with Oreo cream filling. “It’s flavored like the middle of an Oreo cookie,” says Danielle Vona, Sonic’s CMO.     

Arby’s rolls out a Jamocha Oreo Shake in May. And later this month, Jack in the Box will bring back its blackberry shake.     

•Frozen Dew. Dunkin’ Donuts in May is rolling out the first Mountain Dew Coolatta, a frozen slush drink.    

•Tropical Frap. Starbucks is bringing back its Mocha Coconut Frappuccino on May 3 for a limited time.    

•Cake shakes. Cold Stone Creamery in mid-June will promote its Cake ’n Shake, made with cake batter ice cream, milk and yellow cake pieces.    

•Diet delights. In May, KFC will become the first fast-food chain to sell no-calorie Pepsi Max. Subway is rolling out Fuze fresh-brewed raspberry iced tea.