REVIEW: Dunkin’ Donuts Frozen Coffee

Dunkin Donuts Frozen Coffee

I just downed 196 milligrams of caffeine and I am fuh-lying, baby!

Sick of pink Frappuccinos named after mythical beasts? Well, Dunkin’ has a new Frozen Coffee ready to speed up your hearts.

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, but when it comes to popular frozen coffee drinks, imitation is the highest form of fattery.

That’s a little corny wordplay to kickstart your morning, folks. I apologize. Blame it on the caffeine.

I’m not normally a frozen coffee guy, but every now and then I switch it up. That must have been Dunkin’ Donuts’ thought process when they decided to revamp the Coffee Coolatta into their new Frozen Coffee.

Their new coffee is blended with 100 percent Arabica extract, your choice of dairy, and ice. I’m no expert, but that certainly sounds like the recipe for frozen coffee.

I won’t pretend “Arabica” coffee extract moves my needle. I don’t know the difference. I actually thought it said “abra cadabra” extract at first and was pumped. I thought there was gonna be some Jack and the Beanstalk magic in my future.

But alas, as I made my order, the girl at the counter seemed overwhelmed. She had yet to make a Frozen Coffee. I was her trial run. Thankfully a nice manager came over and fired her on the spot! Nah, she showed her the ropes.

I hadn’t ordered a Coolatta in a while, but I seem to recall them having ice that was never chopped fine enough for my liking. The ice was always gritty, along the lines of a Slush Puppy, not fine like a normal Slurpee.

Dunkin Donuts Frozen Coffee 2

Frozen Coffee definitely improved on the Coolatta in that area. After a few sips that were straight liquid, the coffee got to the right temperature and I got slushy sips that were on par with a Frappuccino.

The taste was kinda bitter, not gonna lie. It took a few sips to adjust, and for the strong coffee flavor to really kick in. Keep in mind, I didn’t order an additional flavor shot. I wanted to review the standard Frozen Coffee before mixing in one of Dunkin’s ever growing flavor swirl options.

Dunkin Donuts Frozen Coffee 3

As I sipped on, it tasted like those bottled Starbucks Frappuccino drinks but with blended ice. I guess that’s technically a plain Frappuccino? It’s been a while. This didn’t sway far from a slushier version of regular coffee with a few tablespoons of sugar.

I wasn’t offered a milk option, but rest assured I would have gone with boring skim. It’s the Diet Coke to my Triple Cheeseburger and large fry combo. I just assume they used whole milk.

The whipped cream sunk to the bottom, and while I’ve been on the record in the past about my love/hate for whipped “topping,” it was a pretty good sugar fix to end on.

All in all, it’s not bad, but I seem to remember regular Coolattas being better. Again, remember, you can customize the flavor. I have little doubt Dunkin’s Frozen Coffee would be significantly better with mocha, hazelnut, French vanilla or, well, basically any flavor. Order a flavor swirl.

I don’t see this replacing my usual iced coffee order, and it’s probably not gonna compete with a Frappuccino if I want a super sugary coffee slush, but I’ll probably mix a few in over the summer.

The Dunkin’ Frozen Coffee feels like a drink that will grow on me if I have it more, but for now, it was just okay. I’ll be curious to see what Coolatta loyalists have to say about it.

(Nutrition Facts – small – 420 calories, 18 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 60 milligrams of cholesterol, 65 milligrams of sodium, 64 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 61 grams of sugar, 3 grams of protein, and 196 mg of caffeine.)

Purchased Price: $3.29
Size: Small
Rating: 5 out of 10
Pros: Tastes like it’s supposed to – like a blended, sugary regular coffee. Customizable. Whipped cream paired well. Big caffeine boost.
Cons: Bitter at first. Not really breaking any molds. “Coffee Coolatta” was a considerably better name. Pretty big for a small, “Fattery” not being a real word. No magic beans.

20 thoughts to “REVIEW: Dunkin’ Donuts Frozen Coffee”

  1. I had one yesterday and I thought it was actually pretty good. I too disliked the Coolattas – like you said, the ice was never fine enough and the flavors always seemed fake and diluted. I didn’t get any bitterness in mine, just a slightly sweet coffee flavor. I found it to be less icy than a Frappuccino and more milky – it tasted surprisingly like a coffee milkshake actually. I would order it again, maybe trying it with a flavor added.

  2. My mom’s a manager at a Dunkin so I’ve had every version of Coolatta that has existed over the past 15 years. I was skeptical of the frozen coffee. When I tried it a few days ago, it reminded me more a frozen cold coffee than a coffee coolatta. I too tried the default frozen coffee order. I want to try it again with my usual order (skim, with caramel swirl) to see if I like it more. Its not a bad drink. I think it will do well.

    1. Yup. Blows chunks mine was a medium. $4.63!! REALLY!!?? it was a bunch of chunky ice that kept clogging the straw. worst drink I have ever had and very expensive for some sugar and water basically. I will never buy it again.

  3. Just tasted off. I threw the first one out I ordered because I thought the milk was bad. Ordered another one at a different DD and it was the same slightly off ,funny taste. The kind of taste where you have to a ask someone with you “Ew, taste this. Is this bad?” Which is exactly what happened to make my first purchase hit the trash. Loved the Coolata!! This new imposter is just a cup of frozen disappointment and sadness.

    1. This is exactly what I thought. It had almost a tart taste to it like something was bad in it but the DD lady said they always tasted that way and nobody really liked them. I definitely won’t be ordering this again.

      I already emailed Dunkin telling them my opinion.

  4. The frozen coffee is terrible. I have had it a few times thinking it would get better and more coolatta like but no. It’s bitter. My mom is a huge coffee lover, I had her try it and her reponse was, “What’s wrong with it? It tastes like something is bad.” I got it with hazelnut shot and it tasted like hazulnut trying to mask the nasty flavor. So I got it with the hazelnut swirl and it was too sweet and still that nasty flavor. The ice part is the same as the coolatta, no issue with either there.

  5. absolutely hate it. it tasted better when they were trying it out last year, it was more sugary and to my liking but it shouldn’t have replace the coffee coolata!! I crave those during the summer I don’t want this bitter coffee mess it’s disgusting and way too strong. bring back the coffee coolata and if you’re gonna keep the frozen coffee, keep it as a different item!

  6. DD has to get their S**t in order. Depending on which DD you go to, I’ve had delicious Frozen coffees and I’ve had terrible Frozen coffees. Some are bursting with flavor while others are tasteless ! The DD with the tasteless ones I’ve even brought back and they were apologetic and said they would make another for me , but 2nd one was just as bad. Can’t imagine what they’re doing that the other DD do.

  7. Only one DD in comfy driving distance, that frozen coffee was yummo. Prob shouldn’t have ordered with turbo shot though. Didn’t realize it was already higher caff.

  8. I loved the coffee coolattas. I tried a frozen coffee today and thought it was terrible! I thought it would be a lot like the coffee coolatta but it was more like an iced coffee slightly frozen. I, too, emailed Dunkin Donuts with my negative comments. I may try it at another Dunkin Donuts near me but if it is the same I will never order it again.

  9. Actually, I think I preferred the coffee coolatta, but I do buy the new frozen coffee with caramel and topping now, when I am in the mood for it. It is much stronger flavored than the coolatta was, but once the flavors all melt together it is very smooth. I try not to get one later than 1:00 p.m, because there is a LOT of caffeine in it!!

  10. I too am addicted to your frozen coffee…but, if i ordered it with skim milk instead of what the usual is, would it taste as good? Hate to waste the $$$ if it tastes much different…thank you..

    1. I love mine with skim milk! I don’t taste much difference and actually prefer the skim. Guess it may depend what mood your in.

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