As temperatures rise and summer approaches, we’re on the lookout for drinks that complement this lighthearted occasion. Want to welcome the first warm days of the season with some fun treats? We’re happy to help.
Sonic’s newest menu item, the Unicorn Dreams Slush, taps into its whimsical side. According to the brand, the tangy pink slush tastes like cotton candy and is full of “wonderful fun.” Sonic adds blueberry-flavored bubbles (the chain’s twist on boba pearls), then tops it with whipped cream and a dusting of sparkling sugar crystals.
“We all need a little more fun in the everyday, right? At Sonic, we’re always dreaming up new ways to bring that same fun to our customers,” Marion Campbell, vice president of integrated marketing and communications, told Food & Wine. “We’ve always been known for delivering innovative and mouthwatering beverages, but now we’re taking those LTO moments a step further with a unique beverage experience.”
A 20-ounce smoothie costs $4, but you’ll also get a free Legendary Wish Awakening Unicorn Horn Straw. Yes, you read that correctly. The straw is shaped like a twisted unicorn horn and comes in four colors.
Can’t wait to try it for yourself? We’ll let you in on a little secret: As the brand says, you can order it as early as today through the Sonic app. Otherwise, it’ll be available nationwide on May 5.
“All of this adds not only flavor to the drink, but also a unique touch that makes it a more shareable moment—not just in social settings, but also for drive-in movie patrons,” Campbell said. “It’s a multi-sensory experience that goes beyond the simple drink itself, and hopefully drives demand for more consumers to bring excitement, imagination—and a little sparkle—to everyday life.”
If this rainbow drink sounds familiar to you, you’ve got a keen eye on food trends. In 2017, Starbucks launched its wildly popular Unicorn Frappuccino—a rainbow-hued drink that blends mango syrup and blueberry flavors—at the height of the Starbucks “secret menu” era. Eight years ago, the color-changing drink, a purple and blue blend, dominated our social media headlines.
This return to a more minimalist era couldn’t be further from the cultural landscape. In fashion and beauty, we’re seeing a resurgence of the mid-2010s aesthetic. (Think boho babydoll dresses and grungy “indie grunge” outfits on Tumblr.) Just as Starbucks launched its infamous Frappuccino, people were embracing pastel rainbow hues and saturated dessert trends.
We may have long passed the era of rainbow bagels and unicorn cupcakes, but this latest smoothie is full of a hint of nostalgia.
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