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Taco Bell Just Launched New Fruity Refrescas

Summer is in full swing, which means it’s the perfect time to sit down with a cool pint of ice cream or a refreshing beverage, and Taco Bell is ready to quench our thirst. Taco Bell is known for its Mexican-inspired fast food menu items like the Crunchwrap Supreme and chalupas, but the chain also has many fans of its creative drink offerings. The Baja Blast has been a hit amongst diners since its launch 21 years ago, resulting in countless spin-off products. Now, the chain is seeking their newest fan favorite with a brand new menu of refrescas to ring in the summer season. 

What are refrescas?

Refrescas are Taco Bell’s line of fruit-infused beverages with a green tea base that are designed to boost energy. The fast food company first began testing the drinks at a few select locations last year with a limited run of strawberry passionfruit, peach mango, and dragonfruit berry flavors, all of which quickly became a hit amongst those that tasted them.

Fast forward a year later, and Taco Bell has thankfully realized that all of us are eager to try their refrescas. This summer’s limited time launch of refrescas at locations nationwide features returning hits from last year, refrescas packed with Rockstar Energy with a caffeine kick, and a refresca freeze for extra hot days. 

What flavors of refrescas are available?

All three of the initial agua refresca flavors have returned to Taco Bell’s menu. The strawberry passionfruit agua refresca is appropriately crafted with strawberry and passionfruit flavors and features freeze-dried strawberry pieces. Having undergone a slight rename, the mango peach agua refresca is a tropical blend of peach and mango flavors enhanced by freeze-dried mango bits. Finishing out the original trio, the dragonfruit berry features dragonfruit and mixed berry flavors and is filled with freeze-dried dragonfruit chunks. 

Taco Bell’s newest refrescas menu also features two beverages that are infused with Rockstar Energy and packed with 200 milligrams of caffeine each — a significant energy boost from the agua refrescas’ 51 milligrams of caffeine for anyone looking for an extra kick. While the Rockstar Energy refrescas don’t feature the freeze-dried fruits of the agua refrescas, they maintain the vibrant flavors. Grab a tropical punch Rockstar Energy refresca for that nostalgic, fruity flavor or opt for a tangy taste with the pineapple lime Rockstar Energy refresca. 

Rounding out the refresca menu is the strawberry lime refresca freeze, a blend between the fruit-infused flavors of the chain’s new refrescas and their classic frozen drinks. The frozen slushy beverage features a tart, citrus flavor with freeze-dried strawberry pieces added in. 

Where can you get Taco Bell’s refrescas?

Refrescas are now available at Taco Bell stores across the U.S. But run, don’t walk, to grab one, since they will only be offered for a limited time. Although Taco Bell hasn’t officially announced when the refrescas will leave the menu, there’s no reason to wait to grab these refreshing beverages.

Taylor Motley is a member of the Spoon University National Writers Program, reporting on food news and trends.

Beyond Spoon University, Taylor is a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Media & Journalism and English & Comparative Literature, with a concentration in Film Studies. She is the City & State Editor at The Daily Tar Heel, UNC-Chapel Hill's student-run newspaper, where she oversees coverage of local news and politics in Orange County, North Carolina. She has also written for Chapel Hill Magazine, reporting on local events and restaurants, as well as Coulture Magazine, where she covers film, music and culture.

In her free time, Taylor loves to watch all genres of movies, read new books and spend time with her friends and family. She is an avid cultural critic and enjoys reviewing films, theatre productions and restaurants.