McDonald's Gummy Shark Soda: New McCafe Drink

The Unlikely Fusion of Fast Food and Novelty Sweets

Somewhere along the line, a marketing department at McDonald's decided that American consumers were ready for a soda topped with a gummy shark. The drink, part of a broader initiative involving the McCafe menu, encapsulates the brand's latest foray into curious confectionery. This particular product showcases an incredibly layered design, and a bright, festive aesthetic. While it’s unclear how this sharksoda will impact McDonald’s sales in the long term, it’s clear the soda fits into the brand's broader strategy of injecting novelty into their offerings. The drink itself is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the novelty candy craze that has overtaken candy aisles. Red candies atop a layered drink, with a bright gummy shark swimming on top, is as playful a design as it is over-the-top. The creativity of this drink shows the brand is willing to gamble on childish and playful aesthetics. Some describe it as sickly-sweet on both the eyes and the taste buds.

McDonald's As Adventurous Innovator

McDonald's has toys, has had the annual Monopoly giveaway, and now has a sea creature adorning a soda. TASTEBUD, a notable figure in the food and beverage scene, commented on the innovative nature of this drink on the product's tag. The company appears comfortable in testing out new, quirky beverages. The drink likely came as a result of the firm’s focus on McCafe innovation. The drink's aesthetic signals the brand is the adventurous sort McDonald's is developing their image into: a considerate designer. The drink may be part of an attempt to draw in a younger crowd of nostalgic adults hoping to feel their childhood once more. Notably, the brand has branded McCafe as their adult menu. The soda is especially playful. But is it a suitable addition to this category? The goal of the drink may have been to connect with kids and those nostalgic for the goofy imagery of their youth.

The Tremendous Risk

Potentially, a drink like this represents a significant risk. Critics argue a handshake between soda and candy isn’t a good idea. Some food experts question whether the drink, which can be described as "disorienting on the tongue", can stand on its own merits. The drink may have missed the mark on creating a cohesive product experience. The slickness of the soda feels uninterested in what is on top, while the gummy shark and candies feel like an alien attachment. Ironically, the gum for the candy and the gum of the shark are the only actual part of the drink.

The Bottom Line

The shark soda may not be an outright success, but it is undoubtedly a statement of commitment from McDonald's. Giving a soda a shark is a bit of a risk. The brand may find that quirky products are the new way forward. Perhaps, although soda and candy do not make delicious bedfellows, they will be an appealing sight for the penchant of the bizarre. The drink may draw consumers who are looking for that slightly surreal experience.