Hi-C Orange Lavaburst was missing from the McDonald’s menu for years, but the non-carbonated fruit drink was eventually brought back due to popular demand.
“We know fans of Hi-C Orange Lavaburst, AKA Hi-C Orange, have been craving the iconic beverage since it rolled off national menus in 2017,” a company press release said in February 2021. “To those who have passionately asked for us to bring it back over the years, we’re excited to say we ‘C’ you.”
They go on to say that the fruity beverage dates back to 1955, when it first debuted on McDonald’s menus, but Hi-C is just one tasty drink that has stood the test of time.
McDonald’s restaurants have served Coke — and had a win-win partnership with the Coca-Cola Company — ever since the “Golden Arches” fast food chain first opened for business in the 1950s. Back then, a cup of the name-brand cola could be had for just a dime.
The corporate kinship has continued through the years, with Coke even showing up in some of the fast food chain’s advertising, including this vintage magazine ad from 1972:
McDonald’s even has a page in their FAQ dedicated to explaining the benefits of their relationship with Coke — “Why does Coca-Cola taste so good at McDonald’s?” — which offers the following insights:
The water and Coca-Cola® syrup are pre-chilled before entering our fountain dispensers with the ratio of syrup set to allow for ice to melt. We also keep our fountain beverage system cold so your drink is always refreshing. In order to ensure our drinks are always meeting a gold standard, we filter all the water before it enters fountain dispensers.
There’s also our straw — it’s slightly wider than a typical straw so all that Coke® taste can hit your taste buds.
PS: Want to see more about OG Mickey Ds? Check out Vintage McDonald’s: See 5 decades of the famous fast food chain’s retro restaurants, menus & history from Click Americana.
