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Taco Bell is testing frozen coffee and shakesTaco Bell is testing frozen coffee and shakes

Taco Bell’s Coffee Chillers are in test in Mission Viejo, Calif., while its Churro Chillers are in test in Irvine, Calif.

Alicia Kelso, Executive Editor

December 12, 2023

2 Min Read
Taco Bell-Coffee Churro Chillers
Taco Bell is testing its first-ever frozen coffee and shakes.Photo courtesy of Taco Bell

Taco Bell is exploring the growing category of frozen coffee for the first time, as well as shakes. The company announced today that it is testing Coffee Chillers and Churros Chillers at two Southern California locations while supplies last. Starting Dec. 15, the Coffee Chillers will be available all day at a Mission Viejo, Calif., restaurant, while the Churro Chillers will be available all day at an Irvine, Calif., restaurant. The offerings are both available for $4.19

The Coffee Chillers are served in a 16-ounce cup filled with blended iced coffee and topped with a layer of cold foam. They’re available in Mexican Chocolate, Caramel Churro and Spiced Vanilla flavors. The Churro Chillers are served in a 16-ounce cup filled with a blended sweet shake and topped with a layer of cold foam and churro crumbles. They’re available in Mexican Chocolate, Dulce de Leche Coffee, Wild Strawberry and Sweet Vanilla flavors, the latter of which features a purple tint.  

“We’re always pushing the boundaries to deliver bold and craveable Mexican-inspired flavors our fans have come to expect from us and these frozen drinks showcase how far our innovation goes,” CMO Taylor Montgomery said in a statement. “We are constantly listening to what our fans are craving next, and we are thrilled to offer them a frozen creation that’s just as delicious and desirable as their favorite menu item.”

Related:The story behind 6 of Taco Bell’s recent menu tests

Taco Bell’s test comes as the conversation surrounding specialty beverages picks up significantly, thanks in large part to McDonald’s launch of its new CosMc’s concept, as well as the staggering growth of concepts such as Dutch Bros, 7 Brew, Biggby’s, Scooter’s, and more. Last year, Gen Z consumers ordered cold coffees more than hot coffee, according to Mintel data, and chains like Starbucks and Tim Hortons now generate most of their sales through cold coffee options. According to Technomic Ignite data, the overall sales growth of cold beverages outpaced hot beverage growth in 2022, with cold beverage sales growing at a rate of nearly 15%.

Taco Bell has been on a tear with tests recently, experimenting with everything from a grilled cheese dipping taco to a Baja Blast Gelato. Check out more about some of these recent tests here.

Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]

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About the Author

Alicia Kelso

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News

Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. She began covering the restaurant industry in 2010 for QSRweb.com, FastCasual.com and PizzaMarketplace.com. When her son was born, she left the industry to pursue a role in higher education, but swiftly returned after realizing how much she missed the space. In filling that void, Alicia added a contributor role at Restaurant Dive and a senior contributor role at Forbes.
Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including Forbes Asia, NPR, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, Crain's Chicago, Good Morning America and Franchise Asia Magazine.
Alicia holds a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, where she competed on the women's swim team. In addition to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her wife and son.

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