McDonald’s is introducing five new holiday drinks for 2026, featuring cranberry, cookie butter, and a Red Bull energy drink.
The limited-time lineup launches at participating U.S. restaurants on November 3, 2026, giving customers several new seasonal options ahead of the holidays.
But what’s actually on the menu, how much will the drinks cost, and which one should you choose?
Here’s a breakdown of everything announced so far.
McDonald’s Holiday Menu 2026: Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Announcement date | October 27, 2026 |
| Launch date | November 3, 2026 |
| Market | United States |
| New drinks | 5 |
| Featured flavors | Cranberry and Cookie Butter |
| Availability | Limited time at participating restaurants |
| Nationwide prices | Not standardized in the announcement |
McDonald’s new lineup includes two cranberry beverages and three Cookie Butter coffee drinks.
All 5 New McDonald’s Holiday Drinks
1. Frosted Cranberry Splash with Sprite
This seasonal drink combines Sprite with orange and cranberry flavors.
It’s finished with cold foam and cranberry sprinkles.
What makes it different: It’s the soda-based option in the lineup, making it a natural starting point for customers who want a fruity holiday drink rather than coffee.
2. Red Bull Frosted Cranberry Energizer
McDonald’s is also introducing a cranberry-flavored energy drink made with Red Bull.
The drink features frosted cranberry flavor, cold foam, and seasonal sprinkles.
Customers can choose between:
- Classic Red Bull
- Red Bull Zero
What makes it different: Unlike the Sprite-based cranberry drink, this option uses an energy drink as its base.
Red Bull Zero is a sugar-free Red Bull option, but it is not caffeine-free. Customers looking to limit caffeine should check the nutritional information before ordering.
3. Cookie Butter Frappé
For customers who prefer frozen coffee beverages, McDonald’s is launching a Cookie Butter Frappé.
The drink features cookie butter flavor with sweet vanilla whipped cream and caramel cookie crumbs.
What makes it different: The Frappé is the blended, frozen option among the three new Cookie Butter beverages.
4. Cookie Butter Latte
The Cookie Butter Latte brings the seasonal flavor to a traditional espresso-based coffee drink.
Like the other Cookie Butter options, it features cookie butter flavor with whipped cream and cookie crumbs.
What makes it different: It’s designed for customers who prefer a latte rather than a blended frozen drink or iced coffee.
5. Cookie Butter Iced Coffee
The final addition is the Cookie Butter Iced Coffee.
It combines McDonald’s iced coffee format with seasonal cookie butter flavor and dessert-style toppings.
What makes it different: It’s another cold coffee choice, but without the frozen Frappé format.
Which New McDonald’s Holiday Drink Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick comparison based on the announced ingredients and drink formats.
| If You Prefer… | Consider This Drink |
|---|---|
| Fruity soda flavors | Frosted Cranberry Splash with Sprite |
| Energy drinks | Red Bull Frosted Cranberry Energizer |
| Frozen, blended coffee drinks | Cookie Butter Frappé |
| Espresso-based coffee | Cookie Butter Latte |
| Regular iced coffee | Cookie Butter Iced Coffee |
These are suggestions based on drink descriptions, not firsthand taste-test rankings.
If you want something different from McDonald’s traditional seasonal coffees, the Frosted Cranberry drinks offer two interesting alternatives.
If you already enjoy coffee, the three Cookie Butter options let you choose the format that best suits your preferences.
How Much Are McDonald’s New Holiday Drinks?
McDonald’s has not announced one nationwide price for all five drinks.
Prices can vary by restaurant, drink size, and ordering method.
However, one McDonald’s U.S. online ordering page checked on October 28, 2026, displayed the following example prices:
| Holiday Drink | Example Listed Price |
|---|---|
| Frosted Cranberry Splash with Sprite | $3.99 |
| Red Bull Frosted Cranberry Energizer | $6.19 |
| Cookie Butter Frappé | $6.29 |
| Cookie Butter Latte | $4.79 |
| Cookie Butter Iced Coffee | $3.19 |
Important: These are example online-menu prices from one location at 10701 Narcoossee Road, not national prices or guaranteed prices at your restaurant. They may change, and drink sizes or ordering options can affect the final amount.
To check your actual price:
- Open the McDonald’s app or website.
- Select your nearest participating restaurant.
- Browse the seasonal drinks section.
- Check the available sizes, customization options, and local prices.
Source: McDonald’s online ordering menu — example location.
When Will the New Holiday Drinks Be Available?
The nationwide promotional launch is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at participating U.S. restaurants.
Some restaurant menus may display seasonal items earlier, but availability depends on the location.
McDonald’s has described the drinks as limited-time offerings and has not announced a universal end date.
If you’re interested in trying one, check your local restaurant rather than assuming every location will have the same inventory.
Bonus: McDonald’s Is Also Introducing an $8 Meal Deal
The holiday drinks aren’t the only new offering.
Starting November 2, 2026, participating U.S. McDonald’s restaurants are scheduled to offer an $8 Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal for a limited time.
The advertised meal includes:
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese
- Medium fries
- A drink
Participation and prices may vary. The promotional offer is not valid for delivery, according to McDonald’s USA’s announcement.
This promotion is separate from the new holiday beverage lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does McDonald’s 2026 holiday menu start?
The five new seasonal drinks launch nationally at participating U.S. locations on November 3, 2026.
What are the five new McDonald’s holiday drinks?
They are Frosted Cranberry Splash with Sprite, Red Bull Frosted Cranberry Energizer, Cookie Butter Frappé, Cookie Butter Latte, and Cookie Butter Iced Coffee.
Is McDonald’s bringing back the McRib in 2026?
The McRib returned to select U.S. markets on October 27, 2026. Its availability is separate from the nationwide holiday drink promotion and varies by restaurant.
Are the new drinks available in Canada?
The announcement covered participating U.S. restaurants. It does not establish that the same lineup will be available across Canada. Check McDonald’s Canada for separate announcements.
Are the holiday drinks available permanently?
No. McDonald’s has announced them as limited-time items.
Where can I find the exact prices?
Check the McDonald’s app or online ordering menu after selecting your local participating restaurant.
Final Thoughts
McDonald’s 2026 holiday beverage lineup offers something different from the usual seasonal coffee selection.
The two Frosted Cranberry drinks introduce fruit-flavored soda and energy drink options, while the three Cookie Butter beverages give coffee drinkers a choice between frozen, latte, and iced formats.
The five drinks officially launch on November 3, with the separate $8 Quarter Pounder meal promotion beginning November 2.
Before heading out, check your local McDonald’s menu for availability and current pricing.
Last updated: October 28, 2026
Sources and fact-checking:
- McDonald’s USA announcement — October 27, 2026, reproduced by Indiana Daily Student
- Nation’s Restaurant News — McDonald’s holiday drink announcement
- McDonald’s online ordering menu — example location
- McDonald’s Canada — Menu Spotter
Shortcut Habit is an independent information website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by McDonald’s.
