Those of us raised in small towns, especially in the South, know that no matter how small our town may be, one specific fast-food drive-in chain can always be found nearby.
This chain saw us grow up and witnessed all stages of our childhood, from being the it-spot for a snack break with teammates before any after-school activity to becoming the hangout spot for all the cool high-schoolers with a driver’s license during lunch break.
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Some may say this fast-food chain became a small-town staple due to the lack of options available nearby. However, its uniqueness and nostalgia make it stand out from competitors.
Related: Popular Southern fast-food chain returns to Texas after a decade
Sonic Drive-In, owned by Inspire Brands, is an American fast-food chain founded in 1953 with around 3,500 restaurants across the U.S. It rose to fame for preserving the 1950s drive-in experience and having carhops who wear roller skates bring customers’ orders straight to their cars.
This beloved chain is known for its classic American burgers, hot dogs, fries, and iconic beverages, especially its vast range of slushes.
Sonic Drive-In adds a new limited-time slush to its menu.
Image source: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Popular fast-food chains follow the ‘cool beverage’ trend
Starbucks (SBUX) made a name for itself thanks to its highly customizable menu with a plethora of different milks, syrups, sauces, and toppings to choose from. Drinks can be made in almost any style, including hot or iced, and in any form, such as latte, cappuccino, Frappuccino, and more.
However, one limited-time drink made Starbucks go more viral than ever before.
Starbucks introduced the Unicorn Frappuccino nationwide in 2017. This was a crème Frappuccino-based beverage made with milk, pink and sour blue powder, mango syrup, and blue drizzle.
This drink was so colorful and crazy that it went viral on social media before being released for the public to taste. It gained even more fame afterward, which is why it is still remembered today.
Related: Popular breakfast restaurant chain menu adds deal amid closures
Although Starbucks may be known as the cool handcrafted drink king, Sonic pioneered this beverage trend nearly 18 years before Starbucks was founded.
Sonic has been developing unique drinks for over seven decades. These creations include its iconic Slushes and Cream Slushes, milkshakes, Lemonades and Limeades, Red Bull Rechargers, and the new Flavorita Favorites, which are crazy, yet delicious, one-of-a-kind beverages that mix multiple flavors in a single drink.
Sonic unveils the newest ‘unicorn’ drink on its menu
Sonic Drive-In is introducing the new Unicorn Dreams Slush to its summer menu in a medium size only. This new, colorful drink is a vibrant pink slush with magical flavor bubbles, topped with whipped cream and finished with shimmering sugar crystals.
If the drink itself didn’t sound cool enough to try, customers will also get the new Legendary Wish-Awakening Unicorn Horn Straw for free when they purchase the new beverage. This unique straw comes in four colors that change shades while sipping the new beverage: white-to-pink, green-to-blue, neon green glow in the dark, and frost blue glitter.
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“We developed the Unicorn Dreams Slush to be more than just a drink – it’s an entire culinary experience that’s bursting with fantastical fun and flavor in each sip,” said Sonic Vice President of Culinary & Menu Innovation Mackenzie Gibson.
The Unicorn Dreams Slush will be available nationwide for a limited time starting May 5 and can be ordered in-person at the Sonic drive-thru or via its app. However, true Sonic fans can get early access to this new drink and try it right now by downloading the Sonic app and using it at checkout.
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