Smoothie King adds 'tangy' pickle smoothie to menu. See our reaction

Pickle is having a moment, and Smoothie King is not one to be left behind.

Smoothie King is rolling out a new limited-edition pickle smoothie in collaboration with Massachusetts-based Grillo's Pickles, "as temperatures rise and hydration takes center stage."

"Pickles have officially emerged as one of the hottest ingredients in today’s food culture and beyond their bold, craveable flavor, pickles also offer nutritional benefits," Smoothie King said in a news release, adding this "one-of-a-kind" drink blends real Grillo’s Pickles with Smoothie King’s "delicious and nutritious ingredients" delivering a "refreshingly tangy taste and packed with electrolytes to help support hydration all summer long."

In a statement, Lori Primavera, vice president of R&D and product marketing at Smoothie King, said "delicious nutrition" is the core of every Smoothie King product.

"Pickles are not only delicious and having a cultural moment, they also offer real nutritional benefits, (and are) especially known for their enhanced hydration," Primavera said. "That combination gave us an opportunity to explore them in a new format and push our innovation into new territory, reimagining how a beloved flavor can deliver both function and taste."

Grillo's Chief Commercial Officer Mark Luker, in a statement, said the brand loves to do "unhinged collabs," and those willing to try the product will be "pleasantly surprised (and hydrated)," given the "functional benefits of pickles."

What's in Smoothie King's new pickle smoothie?

Smoothie King said the smoothie is made with "simple, garden-fresh ingredients and no artificial anything." Ingredients include:

• Grillo’s pickle spears.
• Bananas.
• Organic kale.
• Apple juice blend.
• Kiwi apple juice blend.
• Electrolyte blend.
• Coconut water (Contains coconut tree nuts).

How to get Smoothie King's pickle smoothie

Smoothie King's Grillo's Pickles Smoothie will be available nationwide for a limited time starting Tuesday, May 12, for $5.99 for a 20-ounce smoothie.

On International Pickle Day on May 16, customers can also enjoy a free 4-ounce Pickle Smoothie, available in stores while supplies last.

Pickles are popular among Gen Z and younger millennials

Pickle-flavored snacks are becoming increasingly popular online, with snacks such as Chex Mix Spicy Dill Snack Mix and Slim Jim Vlasic Dill Pickle Snack Size Meat Sticks hitting shelves nationwide.

Smoothie King is not the only brand Grillo's is partnering with. In mid-April, the brand teased a limited-edition Pickle Beer with Pabst Blue Ribbon.

The beer will be available at select retailers nationwide beginning on May 4 while supplies last, including stores such as Walmart, Albertsons, Safeway, Publix, Food Lion, Total Wine & More, GoPuff, and KwikTrip, Eddie Andre, Grillo’s Pickles' vice president of branding, told USA TODAY on April 29.

In the beauty realm, meanwhile, e.l.f. released a limited-edition dill lip gloss, which sold out in minutes in February, while Burt's Bees, in April, launched a limited-edition Fresh Cucumber Dill lip balm flavor.

Watermelon returns to Smoothie King

Smoothie King is also "doubling down on hydration" and bringing back watermelon to its menus nationwide starting Tuesday, May 12.

"Sip your summer with five new watermelon smoothies, thoughtfully crafted and packed with electrolytes to keep you refreshed," Smoothie King said.

The brand's watermelon lineup includes fan-favorite Watermelon Hydration, Watermelon X-Treme, and Gut Health, among other options.

This story was updated with a new video.

Contributing: Saleen Martin / USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.