Taco Bell Introduces Six New Drinks, Including The Mountain Dew Sangrita Blast
Taco Bell is ready to put your bladder to the ultimate test.
The fast food chain is in the process of rolling out what it calls the largest expansion of its beverage menu in history. Taco Bell is giving its customers six new drinks to choose from, including the so-called Mountain Dew Sangrita Blast. Unfortunately for those looking for a buzz, this drink doesn’t come with a healthy dose of alcohol.
In addition to the Mountain Dew Sangrita Blast, USA Today reports that Taco Bell is unveiling the “Manzanita Sol (an apple-flavored, carbonated drink); Diet Mountain Dew Baja Blast; SoBe Lifewater Yumberry Pomegranate; Brisk Mango iced tea, and Brisk Half and Half (half tea, half lemonade).” Three of these beverages are reportedly carbonated.
So why is Taco Bell rolling out six new beverages? According to Boston University teacher Christopher Muller, it all comes down to revenue. Since fast food companies make serious cash from beverages, the chain clearly wants people to spend more money on drinks.
Taco Bell's Drink Expansion includes an apple soda called Manzanita Sol http://t.co/iztpP2C5eG pic.twitter.com/yYAdaqX76n
— Grub Grade (@GrubGrade) January 17, 2014
“Beverages are a significant portion of profits. You’re basically serving water with ice,” Muller explained. He added that drinks often account for 30 to 40 percent of profits.
Taco Bell Chief Marketing Officer Chris Brandt said in a statement:
“We hear how fanatic our customers are about Mountain Dew Baja Blast, and this inspires us to continue introducing exciting and exclusive beverages to Taco Bell fans. Beverages — like many of our food items — can be enjoyed on-the-go, which fits our fans’ lifestyle to get more out of every day. We really want to develop beverages that are as unique, tasty and portable as our food.”
Although Taco Bell seems to think highly of their new drinks, how do customers feel about the new offerings? Take a look at a handful of Twitter reactions to the beverages below. Not surprisingly, responses to the drinks are a decidedly mixed bag.
Taco Bell introduced 6 new drinks today. If you're keeping score, that's now 14 different ways the one in Dora can ruin your order.
— Daily Mountain Eagle (@DailyMtnEagle) January 17, 2014
The new Taco Bell exclusive drinks are:
Mountain Dew Diabetes Frost
Wild Diarrhea Pepsi
and
Diet Dr Gluttony
— Rollie Chalou (@rollie) January 17, 2014
The new Taco Bell exclusive Mountain Dew Sangrita Blast is a good substitute to Baja Blast. They now have Diet Baja Blast as well.
— Joe Eafrati (@sakanakami) January 17, 2014
This Mtn Dew Sangrita Blast at @TacoBell is the truth.
— Dylan DuBay (@TheDylanDuBay) January 10, 2014
What do you think about the new beverages on-tap at Taco Bell? Are you planning to give the Mountain Dew Sangrita Blast a fair shot?
