The allure of a Frozen Sour Cherry Energy Burst takes on a new dimension when the temperature feels like minus-14 degrees. Despite the freezing Midwest weather, I embarked on a mission to explore McDonald's latest venture, CosMc's, located about 30 miles southwest of its global headquarters in Chicago. Positioned as a beverage-centric concept reminiscent of Starbucks, CosMc's is the fast-food giant's response to evolving consumer preferences. The drive-through-only restaurant, equipped with intercoms and card readers, caters to the on-the-go lifestyle.
CosMc's boasts a diverse menu featuring 41 original beverages, including frappés, sour-ades, and lattes, along with a selection of small bites—distinctively excluding burgers and fries. Intrigued by the galactic-themed offerings, I set out to sample some of the more unconventional items, relying on my unique talent for never finishing a beverage.
1 Sour Cherry Energy Burst: The Signature Galactic Boost caught my attention, featuring an energy shot paired with cherry-flavored juice. The partially frozen drink, accompanied by fruity popping boba, delivered a burst of gelatinous, cold mango flavor. The experience fell short of the fully slushed delight depicted on the menu, resembling more of a 7-Eleven Slurpee.
2 Berry Hibiscus Sour-ade: Another Galactic menu standout, this supercharged beverage with kombucha powder offered a comforting yet concentrated flavor reminiscent of strawberry lemonade from a mall pretzel shop. Despite a considerable sugar content, the addition of kombucha promised a happy gut.
3 Island Pick-Me-Up Punch: The punch, featuring real floating strawberries, delivered a refreshing and natural fruit-like taste. Ideal for a tropical setting, it hinted at the potential for a delightful poolside companion, especially with the included "pre workout shot."
4 Blueberry Ginger Burst: This menu item, seemingly out of place in the Galactic lineup, erred on the side of subtlety. Despite the fresh blueberries and green tea, the lack of sweetness left it tasting more like water with a hint of ginger, veering too far in the opposite direction.
5 Churro Cold Brew Frappé: Blurring the lines between coffee and milkshake, this churro-infused creation proved enjoyable—until an unexpected encounter with boba disrupted the experience. Despite the absence of advertised boba, the cinnamon-y shake presented a guilt-inducing pre-lunch treat.
6 S’mores Cold Brew: As an all-seasons iced coffee enthusiast, I anticipated this toasted marshmallow-flavored cold brew. While the coffee retained a decent quality, the overly sweetened profile hinted at the need for moderation in flavoring.
7 Chai Latte (Hot): Expecting the warmth and spice of chai, I was met with disappointment as the cup revealed a mere half-filled cup of hot milk. An oversight in adding the chai left this offering sorely lacking.
8 Turmeric Spiced Latte (Hot): Questioning the authenticity of turmeric's taste, this latte left a chemically off-putting impression. While the key component was not forgotten, the overall experience fell short.
9 Spicy Queso Sandwich: Among the menu's dressed-up McMuffins, the Spicy Queso Sandwich featured a flavorful combination of scrambled egg, sausage, cheese, fried jalapeños, and a "spicy queso sauce." The downfall, however, lay in the brioche, which succumbed to sogginess.
10 Hash Brown Bites: With McDonald's hash browns hailed as stars, the mini, herbier Hash Brown Bites failed to match expectations. Potentially affected by the weather, these lacked the signature hot and crispy appeal.
11 McPops: Concluding this culinary journey, the bag of mini mixed doughnuts—cinnamon apple, cookie butter, and chocolate hazelnut—served as a delightful dessert companion to the churro coffee.
Takeaway: For avid McDonald's enthusiasts, the classics—burgers, fries, McMuffins—remain the true essence of the brand. CosMc's attempt to redefine itself with an elaborate menu seemed like an effort to be something it's not. Despite the sugar overload and sticky aftermath, the experience didn't deter me from seeking a familiar french fry palate cleanser at the neighboring McDonald's
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