Goofy drinks go into overdrive for summer at fast-food spots

Theres one thing more common to summer than sunburns and mosquitoes: goofy drinks. This season, everyone from McDonalds to 7-Eleven to Sonic has em.

The USAs biggest fast-food makers have a trayload on tap as they gear up for their most crucial selling season. Beverages are the industrys most profitable menu item. But their calorie counts  especially in the ice-cream-based drinks  can be mind-boggling.

Think before you drink, says Hope Warshaw, registered dietitian and author of Eat Out, Eat Right: The Guide to Healthier Restaurant Eating. She suggests water, iced tea or water with orange juice.

But thats not what most thirsty folks want on a hot day. Weve been programmed to be hydration maniacs, says Christopher Muller, dean at Boston Universitys School of Hospitality Administration. But were also prone to want something more exciting than water.

Brewing for spring and summer:

•Weird Slurpees. In June, 7-Eleven will be slapping Slurpees into cups with dual chambers, a special valve and two straws that let folks drink one or two Slurpee flavors at a time. One in three customers at 7-Eleven buys a drink, says Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, SVP of marketing.

7-Eleven A two-flavor Slurpee, complete with valve thingy.

•Lemonade twists. McDonalds in May is rolling out McCafé Frozen Strawberry Lemonade. Dairy Queen has launched Lemonade Chillers in regular and strawberry.

•Mind-boggling shakes. Sonic has plans in May for a shake dubbed Double Stuf Oreo Blast, whose ice cream is made with Oreo cream filling. Its flavored like the middle of an Oreo cookie, says Danielle Vona, Sonics CMO.

Arbys rolls out a Jamocha Oreo Shake in May. And later this month, Jack in the Box will bring back its blackberry shake.

•Frozen Dew. Dunkin Donuts in May is rolling out the first Mountain Dew Coolatta, a frozen slush drink.

•Tropical Frap.Starbucks is bringing back its Mocha Coconut Frappuccino on May 3 for a limited time.

•Cake shakes. Cold Stone Creamery in mid-June will promote its Cake n Shake, made with cake batter ice cream, milk and yellow cake pieces.

•Diet delights. In May, KFC will become the first fast-food chain to sell no-calorie Pepsi Max. Subway is rolling out Fuze fresh-brewed raspberry iced tea.