Taco Bell testing new items: Caliente Cantina Chicken Burrito, Aguas Refrescas drink

Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
Updated ·3-min read

Taco Bell is never tired of experimenting with new creations.

The Mexican-inspired fast food chain will start testing out new items Thursday, including a Caliente Cantina Chicken Burrito in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Strawberry Passionfruit Aguas Refrescas in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Straight off the newly launched Cantina Chicken Menu, the $5.99 burrito comes with a new Caliente Sauce, a spicy condiment that combines red pepper, red jalapeno pepper and ghost chile pepper, according to the chain. The new menu debuted nationwide in March as the chain seeks out ways to appeal to Americans' love for chicken with items that included burritos, tacos quesadillas and a Cantina Chicken Bowl.

Taco Bell is bringing a Caliente Cantina Chicken Burrito to its Cincinnati locations. The burrito is made with slow-roasted Cantina chicken in an all-new Caliente Sauce, which is a creamy, citrus mix of red jalapeno peppers, ghost chile peppers and red peppers.
Taco Bell is bringing a Caliente Cantina Chicken Burrito to its Cincinnati locations. The burrito is made with slow-roasted Cantina chicken in an all-new Caliente Sauce, which is a creamy, citrus mix of red jalapeno peppers, ghost chile peppers and red peppers.

For $3.99, Charlotte residents can try the Strawberry Passionfruit Aguas Refrescas, a green tea drink that combines strawberry passionfruit and dehydrated strawberry pieces in a 20-ounce cup. In April, the company began testing fruit-infused Agua Refrescas at a Southern California location with two other flavors: Peach Mango, and Dragonfruit Berry.

Taco Bell is testing Strawberry Passionfruit Aguas Refrescas in the Charlotte market. ItÕs a green tea drink that combines strawberry passionfruit and dehydrated strawberry pieces in a 20-ounce cup.
Taco Bell is testing Strawberry Passionfruit Aguas Refrescas in the Charlotte market. ItÕs a green tea drink that combines strawberry passionfruit and dehydrated strawberry pieces in a 20-ounce cup.

At its “Live Más Live” event in April, the chain teased other items it's testing like Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Cheesy Street Chalupas, a Cheesy Enchilada Dipping Taco and a Baja Blast pie.

Taco bell brings back Cheez-It Crunchwrap with a twist

After a temporary launch in June, Taco Bell will bring back its Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme this time with an additional large Cheez-It cracker for an even crunchier taste.

Born from the failed idea of a Cheez-it taco, menu creators told USA TODAY Tuesday that the Cheez-It Crunchwrap came from a desire to combine the chain's fan-favorite item with the iconic cheesy cracker.

Taco Bell's innovation kitchen at their corporate headquarters in Irvine, Calif., is where thousands of potential new dishes are tested and perfected before they hit menus nationwide. Mandatory Credit: Sandy Hooper-USA TODAY
Taco Bell's innovation kitchen at their corporate headquarters in Irvine, Calif., is where thousands of potential new dishes are tested and perfected before they hit menus nationwide. Mandatory Credit: Sandy Hooper-USA TODAY

The company will also offer an a la carte Big Cheez-it, 16 times the size of a typical Cheez-It, and bring back its Big Cheez-It Tostada, topped with beef, diced tomatoes, lettuce, shredded cheese and reduced-fat sour cream.

It will also add a Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Combo that comes with a Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme, a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Nacho Fries and a medium fountain drink.

The Cheez-It menu items are priced below:

  • Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme ($5.49)

  • A la carte Big Cheez-it ($1.00)

  • Big Cheez-It Tostada ($2.99)

  • The Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Combo ($9.99)

Taco Bell debuts new Omar Apollo hot sauce

The company has also partnered with Mexican-American musician Omar Apollo to distribute its new Disha Hot hot sauce.

Based off the "Ivory" singer's family recipe, the sauce features toasted tomatillos, white vinegar, tomatoes, onions, peppers, lime juice and a "family-secret spice blend." Each sauce packet is priced at 20 cents.

Taco Bell is partnering with Mexican-American musician Omar Apollo and bringing his family's Disha Hot Hot Sauce to the menu for a limited time. The sauce has a smoky, bold flavor and includes ingredients such as roasted tomatillos and a family-secret spice blend.
Taco Bell is partnering with Mexican-American musician Omar Apollo and bringing his family's Disha Hot Hot Sauce to the menu for a limited time. The sauce has a smoky, bold flavor and includes ingredients such as roasted tomatillos and a family-secret spice blend.

"Inspired by his heritage and family traditions, Disha Hot Hot sauce combines brand-new flavors and spices straight from Omar Apollo's roots," the chain wrote. "Disha Hot Hot Sauce features a rich blend of smoky, bold flavors perfected by Omar’s mother."

For $8.99, customers can order the Disha Hot Discovery Box that comes with three sauce packets, a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, a Crunchy Taco, a Doritos Locos Taco, chips and nacho cheese and a medium fountain drink.

This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.

Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taco Bell testing Caliente Cartina burrito and Aguas Refrescas drink

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