The new beverage blends Red Bull with blue raspberry syrup and freeze-dried dragonfruit, combining the energy drink with sweet and fruity flavors.
Customers can also opt for Red Bull Zero for a reduced-sugar version, while an 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull will be available for purchase separately.
The move comes as McDonald’s works to revive customer traffic following weaker-than-expected U.S. sales growth in the second quarter.
Comparable U.S. sales rose 0.8% during the quarter, falling short of the 1.06% increase analysts surveyed by LSEG had expected. The figure also marked a slowdown from the 2.5% growth recorded a year earlier.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski attributed part of the weaker performance to execution problems, including inconsistent promotion of value offerings and less use of digital deals.
“We don't have a strategy problem. We simply didn't execute at the level we needed to in the second quarter,” Kempczinski said.
The company plans to increase national digital offers and personalized promotions in an effort to bring back frequent customers.
McDonald’s CFO Ian Borden said the strategy would help “reenergize our high-frequency customers.”
The Red Bull launch follows the chain’s broader push to expand its drinks menu, including crafted sodas and Refreshers.
“We’ve seen growing enthusiasm for our crafted sodas and refreshers as fans look for more variety and options to fit every occasion,” Alyssa Buetikofer, chief marketing and customer experience officer for McDonald's USA, said.
Buetikofer said McDonald’s had already tested the Red Bull drink in the U.S., where it received a positive response.
“They loved the Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer when we first tested it in the U.S., so we're excited to give fans nationwide the energy they’ve been craving with Red Bull. And we're just getting started.”
The company is also adding a Vanilla Swirl crafted soda, combining vanilla flavor and cold foam with Coca-Cola, Diet Coke or Coke Zero Sugar.
Other drinks will vary by restaurant and include Orange Dream made with Fanta, as well as reduced-sugar crafted sodas featuring Diet Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper Zero Sugar and Sprite Zero Sugar.
McDonald’s said both its Refreshers and Red Bull Energizers contain caffeine, adding another energy-focused option to its growing beverage lineup.