What Exactly Is McDonald's Secret Menu Cotton Candy Sprite?
Fans of McDonald's have discovered yet another secret menu hack centered around one of the chain's popular fountain drinks. By asking for 2 to 3 pumps of French vanilla syrup — which is typically used for coffee or tea — in your McDonald's Sprite, the drink becomes what the internet has dubbed the Cotton Candy Sprite. This name comes from many customers believing the hack gives your Sprite a unique, cotton candy-like flavor that amplifies the drink's sweetness.
The Cotton Candy Sprite has been going viral online recently, with both customers and employees becoming fans of the upgraded version of the drink. The reason for the favorability among employees, beyond its sweet taste, likely comes as a result of how simple the hack is; Unlike some secret menu items that include time-sensitive ingredients, such as the McBrunch Burger, the cotton candy Sprite consists of two all-day items that are located in the same station, making it a quick and easy upgrade for everyone involved.
How the internet ranks McDonald's Cotton Candy Sprite
Rumblings of this secret menu item aren't new. Posts about the Cotton Candy Sprite can be found online as early as December 2024, and some commenters say they've been adding French vanilla to their Sprite for years. However, the hack has become much more popular this spring, taking over the internet and receiving both praise and criticism in the process.
While lovers of the drink think it tastes tremendous and have been quick to recommend it to others, the trick has also garnered some naysayers who believe the combo has way too much sugar, an unappetizing flavor, or doesn't resemble the taste of cotton candy whatsoever. Among these negative takes, those who say the drink is too sweet are likely the most validated, seeing as soda fountain machines already use flavored syrup — which can sometimes make the drink taste sweeter than in a can or bottle. This means that adding even more syrup could be overwhelming to those who don't have a high sugar tolerance. So, while the drink certainly won't be for everyone, it could be perfect for the McDonald's fan looking for a new twist on the classic lemon-lime soda.