The Wendy's Frosty might technically be 55 years old, but the fast food menu staple has not strayed far from its original recipe in the decades since its first debut. In fact, up until 2024, the chain had only introduced four new flavors in the U.S. However, that's all changing.
Wendy's officially announced two new Frosty innovations coming to drive-thrus nationwide: The Frosty Swirl (which is available in three flavors) and Frosty Mix-Ins (which will come in three iterations). And while the latter isn't hitting stores until May, we got our hands on the Strawberry Frosty Swirl, Caramel Frosty Swirl, and Brownie Batter Frosty Swirl to see if they're worth the hype.
Before I dive in, let's discuss what these flavors actually entail. The Frosty Swirls, which landed on menus April 15, include the chain's classic Vanilla and Chocolate Frosty base (if it ain't broke, why fix it?) swirled with new syrups.
The Strawberry Frosty Swirl was my first taste of the new releases. And while I often find that berry-flavored sweets can taste a bit artificial, this one wasn't so at all. The sweet and tangy twist blends perfectly with the creamy vanilla base. My only complaint is that you really had to dig to the bottom for the syrup. I got the Frosty delivered, so it may have sunk in transport. But it's something to keep in mind before placing that late-night Uber Eats order for your sweet treat.
The Caramel Swirl, meanwhile, was a more obvious upgrade from the classic Frosty. It was packed with rich, buttery caramel notes that paired well with the base. The added syrup didn't overpower the creamy vanilla but enhanced the overall flavor profile.
The final Frosty, the Brownie Batter Swirl, was decadent and tasted exactly how it sounds: like brownie batter. It was fudgey and indulgent and went so well with the original chocolate soft-serve.
What made the desserts so special is that Wendy's didn't entirely alter its longstanding and beloved recipe—they just enhanced it a little. And if you're wondering whether the new flavors pair well with Wendy's crisp, salty fries, the answer is a resounding yes. I'd argue the syrup swirls only enhance that sweet-savory contrast fans look for when fry-dunking.
"We know consumers are always on the lookout for new flavors and ways to customize their order with sauces and mix-ins. We can't wait for everyone to experience even more ways to enjoy our iconic Frosty!" Wendy's chief marketing officer Lindsay Radkoski says of the new flavors.
While we still have a few weeks left before we can get our hands on the next launch, the Frosty Mix-Ins, we're already penciling the date in our calendar. The Pop-Tarts Strawberry Frosty Fusion features a blend of classic vanilla and strawberry sauce (like what we already tried!) with chunks of strawberry-flavored Pop-Tarts Crunch Poppers. The Oreo Brownie Frosty Fusion is swirled with the same chocolatey brownie batter sauce and chocolate Frosty base, with the addition of crunchy Oreo cookie pieces. Finally, the Caramel Crunch combines the vanilla Frosty and caramel syrup with crunchy toffee pieces. All three will be available on menus beginning May 12.
2025-04-17T22:13:45Z