Sonic’s Festive Menu Items Are Bringing Holiday Cheer (And An Unexpected Cheese)

When it comes to seasonal releases, Sonic usually does something a little different. A few months ago, it dropped its Hotumn drinks lineup, a move that both pre-empted and dodged a classic fall menu – and which featured some comforting flavors with a couple of cool twists here and there. Now, as we inch ever closer to the holidays (let’s be honest, we’re basically in ‘em now – at least that’s what I’m telling myself!), the restaurant chain has again made a slightly left-field move.

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This time, though, that comes not in the form of a menu sitting somewhere in the middle of two seasons, but in the form of flavors. It’s got a new sandwich, and it’s not your typical sage and stuffing vibe. 

Ho Ho Ho, Sonic!

This week, Sonic has announced its new festive menu items, and unlike other holiday menus, which can inflate to massive proportions, it’s keeping things trim. There are two new options here: the new Smoked Gouda and Bacon Sonic Smasher, and the new Santa Slush Float. One drink, one sandwich. That’s enough for us. 

First, let’s talk about the Smoked Gouda and Bacon Sonic Smasher. By using smoked gouda over cheddar or American cheese, this new burger takes the road less traveled and delivers a more developed, deeper flavor than you might expect in a sandwich. Smoked gouda does also have a festive feel to it (inasmuch as it’s the kind of cheese you’d find on a charcuterie plate being picked at by your family and friends, at the end of a long holiday meal), so we get what it’s going for here. Sonic also completes the sandwich by throwing in crispy bacon, black pepper aioli, and hand-smashed Angus patties, and you can get it in a double or a triple. 

Then, to the Santa Slush Float! This new drink is decidedly more festive, mixing cherry and sweet vanilla with a creamy vanilla soft serve, topped with a cherry and piled into a Santa-themed cup. Much holiday cheer to be had with this one, and while it’s not as different as the burger, it’s definitely going to be a crowd-pleaser. 

Big Meal Deal

As well as this new duo of items, Sonic’s still running its $7 Big Meal Deal – which we talked about a couple of months ago, but which is still worth talking about, given that you get a lot out of it. To recap: Seven bucks will deliver a Sonic Cheeseburger, a Medium Tots or Fries, a Small Premium Chicken Bites, and a Medium soft drink or iced tea.

Sonic’s keeping things relatively modest with its announcements here, but you know what? This time of year, when everyone’s vying for attention, it can be a smart move not to promise the world — and both of these new options sound pretty good to us. Any excuse to eat smoked gouda is a winner in my book.