27
Jun
2025
Summer beverage innovation is heating up.
Chick-fil-A has introduced peach frosted lemonade. The drink features the company’s lemonade and Icedream dessert mixed with peaches.
In addition to the lemonade, Chick-fil-A is rereleasing its peach milkshake.
Taco Bell, a Yum! Brands subsidiary, is embracing the “swicy” flavor trend through a partnership with Mike’s Hot Honey. The collaboration blends Taco Bell’s existing diablo sauce with the sweet heat of Mike’s Hot Honey condiment.
“Teaming up with Taco Bell let us explore the power of sweet heat in a way that has never been done before with a partner that values culinary creativity as much as we do,” said Mike Kurtz, founder of Mike’s Hot Honey. “Together, we’ve reimagined what hot honey can be, blending it with diablo sauce to create something totally new and unforgettable.”
Dunkin’ has expanded its Refreshers line with the Pink Spritz Refresher. The beverage is made with a blend of guava, orange and passion fruit flavors and sparkling water.
Baskin-Robbins has partnered with Ferrera Candy Co. brand Trolli to craft a limited-time lineup. Inspired by Trolli candy flavors, varieties include: Trolli sour blast, with Trolli lime-flavored ice cream, orange-flavored sherbet and lime-flavored swirls; Trolli sour blast fizz, a beverage that blends the sour blast dessert with Starry soda; and Trolli Dirt ‘N Worms sundae, chocolate ice cream topped with Oreo cookie pieces, Trolli sour bite crawlers minis and hot fudge.
“Our new lineup is a tribute to the bold, playful spirit of summer,” said Nicole Boutwell, vice president of brand marketing and culinary for Baskin-Robbins. “We all remember those carefree moments — from grabbing candy at the corner store to hanging out with friends until the streetlights came on. The new limited-edition Trolli treats are a sweet way to reconnect with that energy and make new memories along the way.”
Smoothie King has unveiled a collection of hydrating smoothies. The hydration line is formulated with an electrolytes and coconut water to deliver natural hydration benefits, according to the company, with flavors such as watermelon, pineapple mango and berry.
Restaurant Brands International subsidiary Burger King has unveiled a limited-time line of menu items in collaboration with Universal Pictures to promote the release of the upcoming “How to Train Your Dragon” movie. The lineup features the dragon flame-grilled whopper, a quarter lb patty on a red-and-orange marbled bun with American cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles, bacon, ketchup and mayo.
Also included in the line are fiery dragon mozzarella fries, with mozzarella cheese, peppers and Calabrian chili pepper-breading, strawberry lemonade and a Viking’s chocolate sundae.
Bojangles has launched watermelon sweet tea. The limited-time beverage merges Bojangles’ iced tea with watermelon juice.
“Our legendary iced tea pairs beautifully with the unique flavors of our food, so we decided to add a juicy twist to an already iconic Southern beverage,” said Marshall Scarborough, vice president of menu and culinary innovation at Bojangles.
Sonic Drive-In has debuted sweet topped lemonades, a line of lemonades topped with cold foam. The line includes flavors such as classic lemonade, strawberry lemonade and blueberry lavender lemonade.
Sonic also has expanded its snack lineup with cheesy garlic pepperoni bites. The offerings combine mozzarella and provolone cheese with pepperoni and pizza sauce.
Nearly 2,500 companies exhibited at the annual event hosted by the Specialty Food Association.
Product innovations emphasized factors such as convenience.