McDonald's menu adds an unexpected tropical treat

Since their introduction in 2010, McDonald's (MCD) smoothies have come in a variety of flavors.

The initial Banana Strawberry and Wild Berry flavors were meant to test the market and, as the dessert-drink made with a base of fruit puree and blended with milk and ice proved popular, McDonald's has rolled out a number of seasonal versions — Blueberry Pomegranate, Mango Pineapple and Strawberry Mango Orange have all graced the Golden Arches menus at different points over the last decade.

The latest new smoothie flavor is a combination of fruits that many associate with the tropics. The new McDonald's Passionfruit Orange Guava Real Fruit Smoothie will be available at select restaurant locations in Canada during the summer. As first reported by fast-food site Chewboom, the new smoothie flavor comes in a small, medium and large size and is available in both a yogurt and ice-only versions.

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Despite the name implying that everything in the drink is "real fruit," the smoothie is made only with blended guava purée and added tastes of passionfruit and orange. The smallest size has 310 calories while the largest clocks in at 470 calories.

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"Made with real guava purée, with the fresh taste of passionfruit and orange," McDonald's Canada writes on its website. "Blended together with yogurt and ice. Try yours with or without yogurt."

Some food bloggers and reviewers have already reported buying it and, in general, said it tasted similar to other McDonald's smoothies and generally desserts made with passionfruit (as those who eat the fruit know, it is a very distinctive taste.)

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"It's a sugary drink so it tastes good sugar-wise but it's definitely something I've tasted before," Jesse of the YouTube channel JustFoodReview described. "Any passionfruit drink you've had before, it's not new."

Known for a classic and rarely-changing dessert menu, McDonald's has in the last year been veering from that stability somewhat as it experimented with new seasonal offerings. In November 2023, the chain expanded its partnership with donut giant Krispy Kreme (DNUT) to make the Original Glazed Donut, Chocolate Iced With Sprinkles Donut and Chocolate Iced Glazed Donut available at more McDonald's locations.

In May 2024 it brought back the McCafé Oreo Frappé. Described as a "sweet treat made with rich chocolate flavor, a hint of coffee and Oreo Cookie Pieces," the frozen dessert-drink was launched in 2015 and was available briefly again in the summer of 2023.

Other big changes for the Golden Arches include the announcement of the new CosMc concept; the first location of the small-format fast food restaurant inspired by a classic but often forgotten McDonaldland character opened in Illinois at the end of 2023.

"CosMc's menu is rooted in beverage exploration, with bold and unexpected flavor combinations, vibrant colors and functional boosts," the company said in a news release in the fall of 2023. "You'll see a range of specialty lemonades and teas, indulgent blended beverages and cold coffee – think Sour Cherry Energy Slush, Tropical Spiceade and S’mores Cold Brew."

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