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RetailMcDonald's

Social media campaign prompts McDonald’s to bring back its Hi-C orange drink

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
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By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 10, 2021, 12:44 PM ET
McDonald's Hi-C
McDonald’s Hi-C Orange Lavaburst, also known as “orange drink,” is coming back to the fast-food chain this summer after an outpouring of customer pleas on social media. Courtesy of McDonald's

McDonald’s is bringing back one of its most popular drinks, following a growing outcry on social media by customers looking for a bit of nostalgic comfort food and drink.

The company’s orange-flavored Hi-C drink—technically called “Hi-C Orange Lavaburst” but colloquially known as “orange drink”—will return nationwide in June after a four-year absence.

“Your tweets, DMs, and petitions asking for its return gave our social media community manager a LOT of content to choose from for an important menu team meeting this morning,” the company said in a press release.

my kingdom for the resurrection of mcdonalds orange drink or tim hortons fountain peach juice

— anne t donahue (@annetdonahue) February 4, 2021

I Really wish @McDonalds would bring back the Hi-C orange drink

— Sharon Street (@sharonsmusic) February 5, 2021

@McDonalds bring back the Hi-C orange or I swear I’m gonna order food at the drive thru then drive off before it’s time to pay…

— Blacksaw Jim Thuggin. 🃏 (@InTro_Levert) February 2, 2021

Last week, McDonald’s hinted the outcry had been heard.

We know how much the Hi-C Orange Drink is missed. Our menu is always evolving, so stay tuned!

— McDonald's (@McDonalds) February 3, 2021

The orange drink made its menu debut at the fast-food chain in 1955—and many stores often donated it to schools and social gatherings, which made it a part of many people’s treasured memories.

While the nationwide rollout is still a few months away, some stores will begin receiving the beverage as early as this month. McDonald’s has set up a website, which will go live next week, to let fans track if it’s available near them.

Fast-food restaurants often shake up their menu—and McDonald’s has made a science of the practice, making some popular items available for just a brief period each year. That scarcity has made things like the Shamrock Shake, the Filet-O-Fish, and the McRib even more popular with customers.

The callback to the past with the orange drink comes as the company also looks to the future, recently announcing plans to add three new chicken sandwiches to its menu as it tries to keep up with Chick-fil-A’s rapid growth and the overwhelming 2019 popularity of Popeyes chicken sandwich.

About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

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