Tag: Dunkin Donuts

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Merry Mocha Mint Signature Latte

Dustin 4 Comments

Dunkin Merry Mocha Mint Signature Latte 1

Peppermint and chocolate make a magical team. Their combination is my most treasured flavor of the holiday season and one of my favorites year-round. Nothing makes me feel like everything is as right with the world as peppermint and chocolate when they’re doing their thing.

After taking a year off, Dunkin’ has brought back their peppermint mocha with a new name: The Merry Mocha Mint Signature Latte. It’s a peppermint mocha topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, dusted with hot cocoa powder. It’s available hot or iced, and since it was nearly 90 degrees when I ordered it, I opted for the iced version.

Dunkin Merry Mocha Mint Signature Latte 2

Being that it’s been a couple of years since I’ve had Dunkin’s peppermint mocha, I couldn’t remember if it always came with a sprinkle of hot cocoa powder on the whipped cream. This sounded really promising to me, but, unfortunately, the one I received had such little powder that it didn’t impact the taste of the whipped cream in any noticeable way.

Dunkin Merry Mocha Mint Signature Latte Top

The chocolate in the latte was decadent, with a sweetness level was on par with semi-sweet chocolate. The syrup on top tasted exactly as I hoped it would. It was just as rich as the what’s in the drink and didn’t have that typical synthetic chocolate syrup flavor.

The peppermint level was perfectly balanced. It danced around with the chocolate and delicately enhanced the drink. It was strong enough to be prominent, but it didn’t feel like I had ravenously sucked down an entire tin of Altoids.

All this positivity aside, I was disappointed for one very important reason: I could not taste any form of coffee in the latte at all. The drink tasted like a delicious minty chocolate milk on ice, but not any type of legitimate mocha or latte.

I can’t be certain if the Merry Mocha Mint Signature Latte was supposed to taste like this or if I got a dud. Judging by the simple discrepancy between the cocoa powder on my drink and the promo photographs, I’m leaning towards the latter.

This time around, Dunkin’ failed to give me the full “warm and fuzzy” experience that I was craving. Taking a year off from the peppermint mocha has clearly made them a little rusty.

Purchased Price: $4.29
Size: Medium
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 340 calories, 5 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 62 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 56 grams of sugar, and 11 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Holiday Eggnog Signature Latte

Vin 1 Comment

Dunkin Holiday Eggnog Signature Latte

What is Dunkin’s Holiday Eggnog Signature Latte?

From my experience, eggnog is a pretty divisive beverage. You either love it, or you think it’s Krampus saliva. I happen to think it’s absolutely delicious, so you better believe I’m all about Dunkin’s new twist on the holiday favorite.

How is it?

I apologize for getting your hopes up with the word “twist,” because this is just straight eggnog.

Dunkin’ claims their signature lattes are “steamed milk poured over espresso,” which one would assume, but I’m pretty sure I drank a glass of iced eggnog.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing? On the one hand, I love it, on the other, why go to Dunkin’ for a normal glass of eggnog?

This “latte” looks like eggnog, smells like eggnog, and tastes like watered down eggnog. Mission accomplished?

Is there anything else you need to know?

Clearly, there’s no hint of espresso here. The milk I understand, it’s definitely thinner than the usual gloppy stuff you’d get in a carton, but there’s no coffee taste or buzz.

Dunkin Holiday Eggnog Signature Latte Whipped Topping

While the flavor is almost dead on, there was slightly less of that nutmeg/cinnamon spiced flavor. I chalk that up to the barista forgetting to sprinkle the whipped topping with cinnamon sugar. I didn’t get the caramel drizzle either, but I don’t care even a little bit about that.

In all honesty, I’m pretty sick of whipped topping. It melted immediately, and I don’t think it enhances anything.

Conclusion:

This probably should have been a Coolatta to set it apart, but I can’t complain too much.

Dunkin Holiday Eggnog Signature Latte Closeup

Despite being bummed about the lack of coffee flavor, I love eggnog, and this was my first of the season. The stupid non-festive Yankees cap tried to ruin it, but I was in my holiday glory while sipping this. It almost felt like I was…sing it with me, folks:

Nog, nog, noggin on heaven’s doo-oo-rrr…

You’re not singing, are ya?

It’s all good, like eggnog, my horrific musical puns are an acquired taste.

Purchased Price: $3.69
Size: Small
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 320 calories, 11 grams of fat, 7 grams of sat fat, 0 grams of trans fat,90 mg of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 41 grams of sugar, and 7 grams of protein.

Wondering about Dunkin’s other holiday Signature Lattes? Click the following links for our reviews for the Toasted Gingerbread and Merry Mocha Mint Signature Lattes.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Beyond Sausage Sandwich

Vin 2 Comments

Dunkin Beyond Sausage Sandwich

It seems like only yesterday when I first heard rumblings that mad scientists were attempting to create “meat-less” meats, and here I am, getting it at Dunkin’.

That’s right, Dunkin’ has jumped into the plant-based protein fray with the new Beyond Sausage Sandwich.

According to the official press release, this sausage from Beyond Meat is “made with 100% plant-based proteins and a mix of spices crafted especially for Dunkin.” So far, I’ve only tried plant-based burgers, so I was pretty pumped to see what breakfast had to offer.

Dunkin Beyond Sausage Sandwich Closeup

Well, right out of the gate, the Beyond sausage patty looked pretty gross, evoking memories of the “hamburgers” I used to get in my school lunches.

It smelled familiar, but it took me a few bites before I nailed the scent down.

The aforementioned press release mentioned the following are used to construct the patty, “peas, mung beans, rice and sunflower to provide the protein and coconut oil to ensure juiciness.” Now you know how the “sausage” is made. Who doesn’t love a good mung bean?!

Along with the sausage, the sandwich had that typical plasticky egg, a piece of cheese, and a super floppy English muffin that has a flavor like an Egg McMuffin. When I bit in, nothing tasted amiss.

The “meat” itself was pretty chewy, but the texture wasn’t that far off from what I expected from prior Dunkin’ breakfast sausage. I snipped a piece off to try solo, and it tasted like slightly over spiced, low-grade meat, but that’s honestly how I’d describe all Dunkin’s meats.

Now getting back to the smell, because it finally dawned on me what the meat seasoning smelled and tasted a bit like – stuffing.

Dunkin Beyond Sausage Sandwich Split

What’s the main spice in stuffing? I could easily Google it, but I’d rather ramble on until it pops in my brain. I remember when I reviewed the Lay’s Biscuits and Gravy chips, the main takeaway was that it tasted like Stove Top. This sandwich brought back memories of those which brought back memories of that!

Is it sage? I think it’s sage and some onion powder. That’s the best I can do, with Dunkin’ being all Colonel Sanders secretive on its spices. For all I know, it could also have parsley, rosemary, and thyme, and the recipe could have been concocted while listening to Simon and Garfunkel.

If I had any sage advice, it would be to ease up a bit on the spices.

Beyond that, they succeeded. For what this is, it’s pretty remarkable, most definitely edible, and enjoyable. I’m not a big cheese on breakfast sandwich’ guy, but that slice helped here. The generic egg and the slightly weird protein would have made for a worse sandwich without it.

In the breakfast pantheon, it’s middle of the road at best. I’m not sure I’ll be a repeat customer. While I appreciate the nutritional improvements, it doesn’t taste quite as good as real meat to a heathen such as myself. For a vegetarian, though? This is an excellent option.

Purchased Price: $4.49
Size: N/A
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 470 calories, 24 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 910 milligrams of sodium, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 24 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Kit Kat Coolatta

Vin 2 Comments

Dunkin Kit Kat Coolatta

Dunkin’ Donuts Coolattas have had a big impact on my life.

I realize that’s a ridiculous sentence to write, but it’s true. They started me down a lifelong path of coffee addiction. I consider them my caffeine gateway drug because I hated the taste of coffee before I tried a Coolatta as a kid.

Before I officially acquired the taste for less sugary “adult” coffee drinks, I was hooked on Coolattas and Frappuccinos in my teens.

It wasn’t just coffee either, every time a new Coolatta flavor came out, whether it be some kind of mocha, vanilla, or fruit concoction, I had to try ’em.

So, naturally, when I heard Dunkin’ Donuts was making a Coolatta based on one of my all-time favorite candy bars – Kit Kat – I got nostalgic and knew I had to try it ASAP.

Right out of the gate I was surprised at how many bits of Kit Kat were floating in my cup. The color of the drink itself was actually a welcomed surprise too because I could tell they didn’t bog it down with chocolate syrup. That was my worry. I didn’t want this to just be a generic chocolate drink. I wanted to taste that distinct flavor of the chocolate mixed with the wafers.

I have good news. If you’ve ever wanted a liquid Kit Kat, you can now drink frozen Kit Kats. This Coolatta is legit delicious.

Dunkin Kit Kat Coolatta Bits

It essentially tastes like milk and about 2-3 full Kit Kat sticks tossed in a blender with some ice. You get plenty of little chocolate pieces and soggy wafers (which are better than that sounds) in every slushy sip. Dunkin’ didn’t skimp at all here.

The consistency is something I’ve always liked about Coolattas. They’re not milkshakes or ice cream, and they’re not Slurpees, but they somehow tap into all three. I actually prefer this to say a DQ Blizzard or a McFlurry. I’m also a weirdo who heats ice cream in the microwave for 12 seconds (always 12 for some reason) so take from that what you want.

Dunkin Kit Kat Coolatta Explosion

I loved this. I’m docking it a single point because the last few sips almost choked me to death as it was 75% wet candy bits. Seriously, even when I was done it looked like someone blew up a Kit Kat. There was Kit Kat shrapnel lacing the entire cup.

Dunkin Kit Kat Coolatta Yankees

Actually, my only real complaint was the Yankees logo on the cup.

All that said, this isn’t something I’d recommend starting your day with. It’s definitely not a threat to my typical two morning cups of “just a little half and half” joe, or a cold brew, but I’ll probably go back and try the other new Hershey’s-flavored Coolattas at some point.

Oh, and FYI, a large has over 200 grams of sugar, which is insane, but if you’re in the mood for ice cream or a milkshake, this makes for a pretty damn good alternative.

Purchased Price: $3.39
Size: 14 fl. oz.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 570 calories, 12 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 108 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 101 grams of sugar, and 7 grams of protein.

Click here for our previous reviews

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Peeps Marshmallow Flavored Coffee

Vin 1 Comment

Dunkin Peeps Marshmallow Flavored Coffee

What is the Dunkin’ Peeps Marshmallow Flavored Coffee?

Well folks, it appears the Easter season is upon us.

I mean, why else would Dunkin’ be selling Marshmallow Peeps flavored coffees?

How is it?

I fully expected the sweetness to be out of control, but I’m happy to report my worries were overstated. I guess I figured a syrup created to mimic a sugar dusted marshmallow would be overwhelming, but I really enjoyed the flavor.

Dunkin Peeps Marshmallow Flavored Coffee Top

Sure the “drop” of milk I requested (which was more like a cup) probably diluted the sweetness a bit, but if that’s the case, props to the Barista for the happy accident. (Are they called Baristas at Dunkin’?)

I picked up a pack of Peeps to compare the flavor, and I’ll say they got it about 75% there.

I wouldn’t necessarily say the coffee screamed “PEEPS,” but it definitely tasted like marshmallow and vanilla. I might even say I liked it a bit more in drink form than the sand and memory foam, I mean, sugar and marshmallow form of a standard Peep.

Is there anything else you need to know?

Dunkin Peeps Marshmallow Flavored Coffee Topped with a Peeps Chick

I floated a Peeps chick in the coffee just for the hell of it, and it added a whole lot of nothing to the experience.

The aforementioned Barista (?!) made me take a sip of the coffee in front of her and report if I liked it. I toyed with spitting it out in disgust, but just simply said, “it’s good” and pretended it wasn’t an odd request.

I skipped the Peeps donut because it just looked like standard sprinkled fare with a Peeps chick on top.

Conclusion:

This is a winner, and I’ll probably get it at least one more time this month.

It wouldn’t shock me if Dunkin’ just rebranded the flavor syrup as generic “marshmallow” and snuck it on their full-time menu once Spring has come and gone. It would definitely be a worthy addition to its flavor swirl lineup.

Purchased Price: $2.65
Size: Small
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Small without dairy) 120 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 45 milligrams of sodium, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 25 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, and 178 milligrams of caffeine.