Dunkin’ is a beloved American institution with a loyal following and a vast network of locations serving coffee and other beverages. While the chain has many popular drinks, some miss the mark in flavor and quality.
Whether it’s an overly sweet concoction or a flavor combination that doesn’t quite work, here’s a list of 12 drinks you should avoid at Dunkin’.
Mango Pineapple Refresher
While tropical fruit flavors are refreshing, Dunkin’s Mango Pineapple Refresher misses the mark. The pineapple flavor dominates the drink, overwhelming the mango’s subtle sweetness. The pineapple tastes artificial, and the drink lacks the necessary balance of acidity and sweetness to make it enjoyable.
Cappuccino
A cappuccino showcases a perfect balance of espresso, milk, and foam. Dunkin’s cappuccino, however, needs better-structured foam that dissipates too quickly, leaving you with a milky espresso that’s not very satisfying. If you’re craving a similar drink, opt for a latte instead.
Caramel Swirl Frozen Chocolate
This frozen drink might sound indulgent, but the caramel is barely detectable amidst the overwhelming chocolate flavor. Instead of a rich, buttery caramel-chocolate blend, you end up with a too-sweet, watered-down chocolate milk experience.
Hazelnut Coffee
Hazelnut is a polarizing flavor, and Dunkin’s version doesn’t do it justice. The artificial hazelnut flavor is bitter and chemical-tasting, failing to capture the smooth, nutty richness that actual hazelnut should offer. If you love hazelnut coffee, look elsewhere for a more authentic flavor.
Blue Raspberry Coolatta
Dunkin’s Blue Raspberry Coolatta is excessively sweet with a syrupy, artificial taste. The drink also leaves a strange, medicinal aftertaste that makes it hard to finish. If you’re in the mood for something fruity, the menu has better options.
Shamrock Macchiato
Dunkin’s attempt at a St. Patrick’s Day treat falls flat. The Irish cream syrup tastes more like chemicals than whiskey, and the combination of the espresso and milk creates an unappealing flavor. The drink’s unappetizing color doesn’t help either.
Raspberry Iced Coffee
While raspberry might be a delicious flavor in iced tea, it doesn’t work well in coffee. The tartness of the raspberry syrup accentuates the bitterness of the coffee, and the addition of milk creates an unpleasant, sour taste. This drink is best avoided in any form.
Cool Mint Tea
Dunkin’s Cool Mint Tea is overwhelmingly peppermint-flavored, making it taste more like a dentist’s office than a soothing herbal tea. A better balance of mint and other flavors could have made it more enjoyable, but as it stands, it’s just too much.
Matcha Latte
Dunkin’s Matcha Latte is overly sweet and inauthentic, lacking the earthy, rich flavor that good matcha should have. The excessive sugar masks the unique taste of matcha, making it more of a sugary milk drink than an authentic green tea experience.
Almond Joy Iced Coffee
Combining almond and toasted coconut flavors, Dunkin’s Almond Joy Iced Coffee is a confusing mix of overpowering tastes. The coconut flavor dominates, and the almond adds a synthetic taste, making the drink less enjoyable over time. A more balanced flavor profile would be more appealing.
Iced Macchiato
While macchiatos are popular, Dunkin’s iced version can fall short. The drink’s espresso-to-milk ratio often feels off, and the layers that distinguish a macchiato need to be clarified. If you’re looking for something refreshing, it’s better to opt for a more straightforward iced coffee.
Cinnamon Spice Latte (Seasonal)
While the cinnamon spice flavor sounds tempting, Dunkin’s take on this seasonal latte often comes across as too sugary and artificial. The cinnamon flavor is overpowering, and the overall drink can feel heavy rather than warm, especially with the excessive sweetness.
FAQs
Why should I avoid the Mango Pineapple Refresher at Dunkin’?
The Mango Pineapple Refresher is overly dominated by pineapple, leaving the mango flavor nearly undetectable. The pineapple tastes artificial and needs more natural acidity to balance the sweetness, making the drink overly sugary and unbalanced.
What makes Dunkin’s cappuccino disappointing?
Dunkin’s cappuccino is let down by the foam, which dissipates quickly, leaving a cup lacking the creamy texture typically expected. The milk foam does not hold well, and the drink tastes like a milky espresso without the foam’s desired effect.
Why is Dunkin’s Hazelnut Coffee not recommended?
Dunkin’s Hazelnut Coffee uses an artificial hazelnut flavor that is far from the natural nuttiness and creaminess of real hazelnuts. The coffee tastes bitter with a chemical aftertaste, which is unpleasant when added to the chain’s already bitter classic coffee.
What’s wrong with the Blue Raspberry Coolatta?
The Blue Raspberry Coolatta is excessively sweet, with a syrupy texture and a solid artificial aftertaste. The blue raspberry flavor often tastes more like medicine than a refreshing treat, making it hard to finish the entire drink.
Why should I avoid the Matcha Latte at Dunkin’?
Dunkin’s Matcha Latte is overly sweet, with more sugar than actual matcha powder. This masks the earthy flavor of matcha, causing it to lose its natural taste and benefits, making it an overly sugary and inauthentic version of the drink.
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