McDonald’s is doing something unusual this weekend: bottling pickle brine for marathon runners who want to avoid cramps. The fast-food giant is calling the drink “Pickle Boost,” and it will be available across Chicago from Friday through race day on Sunday.
The plan is simple. Runners and spectators will find Pickle Boost at several locations around the city, including the Lakefront Trail, where the company will hand out bottles from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT on Friday. Select McDonald’s restaurants will also give away two bottles each to runners and spectators from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with five locations listed in full.
The locations include:
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| 2635 N. Clark St. | Chicago |
| 1563 N. Wells St. | Chicago |
| 600 N. Clark St. | Chicago |
| 203 N. LaSalle St. | Chicago |
| 207 E. 35th St. | Chicago |
The bottles will be handed out “while supplies last.” McDonald’s says the drink is for “runners, spectators, and pickle lovers.”
The Cramp Claim
The idea behind Pickle Boost is that pickle juice might help with muscle cramps. At least one study suggests drinking a small amount of pickle juice can relieve cramps better than water. Another study, however, found “no evidence” to suggest pickle juice helps with cramping.
That second result is worth noting. It is not a debunking, exactly — it is a finding that there is no evidence. The absence of evidence is not the same as proof that it does not work.
It is important to note that neither study proves anything conclusively about Pickle Boost itself. The first study looked at pickle juice generally; the second found no evidence for pickle juice generally. Neither study tested the specific drink McDonald’s is offering. The science here is described in terms of two studies. One finds pickle juice works better than water for cramps. The other finds no evidence it helps. McDonald’s is playing to a trend: consumer interest in pickles and pickle-flavored products has driven plenty of product development. Pickle Boost fits that pattern.
McDonald’s is not claiming the drink cures anything. The company is simply offering a branded bottle of brine to people who might want it during a long run.
Why Pickle Juice?
The science here is described in terms of two studies. One finds pickle juice works better than water for cramps. The other finds no evidence it helps. McDonald’s is playing to a trend: consumer interest in pickles and pickle-flavored products has driven plenty of product development. Pickle Boost fits that pattern.
The drink is made from pickle brine. It is available in limited quantities. The company is making sure people know it is there.
What Runners Get
For runners, the practical benefit is a bottle of brine that some studies say might help with cramps. For spectators, it is a drink that is also a novelty. For McDonald’s, it is a branded presence at one of the biggest sporting events in the city.
The locations are spread across Chicago, which means runners can grab a bottle before the race starts or along the route. The company is also bringing the drink to the Lakefront Trail on Friday morning, which gives early risers a chance to try it before the main event.
The Branding Question
The drink has a name, a label and a clear target audience. It is a small move, but it is a branded one. McDonald’s is using a product that would otherwise be poured down the drain and turning it into something people can hold while they watch the race.
The drink is there, and the company is making sure people know it is there.
The Timing
Friday is the big day for Pickle Boost. The company will bring the drink to the Lakefront Trail from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT. Select McDonald’s restaurants will give out two bottles each to runners and spectators from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The drink is available Friday through Sunday, while supplies last. Anyone in Chicago who wants a bottle of pickle brine has a few hours to grab one.
What We Know So Far
The drink is made from pickle brine. It is available in limited quantities. And it is being offered to runners, spectators and anyone who loves pickles.
The science is described in terms of two studies. One finds pickle juice works better than water for cramps. The other finds no evidence it helps. The marketing is clear.
The drink is available Friday through Sunday, while supplies last. Anyone in Chicago who wants a bottle of pickle brine has a few hours to grab one.
The company is not promising a cure. It is promising a drink. That is a fair deal.
Source material: “McDonald’s has something special for Chicago marathon runners: pickle juice,” Nation's Restaurant News.
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