REVIEW: Dunkin’ Apple Cranberry Coconut Refresher

Dunkin Apple Cranberry Coconut Refresher Tall

While pumpkin is the unmatched king of fall food, this year we’re seeing a push to bring an old favorite fall flavor back in the spotlight: apple. Dunkin’s Apple Cranberry Refresher is a very unique offering for those who seek a fall themed beverage, but don’t necessarily want coffee or pumpkin flavor.

The Dunkin’ Refreshers all start off with a green tea base mixed with a fruit concentrate and served over ice. While it has experimented with different Refresher flavors, this is the first seasonal/holiday version we’ve gotten.

When ordering the Apple Cranberry Refresher, you are given the option to add coconut milk. Normally, I aim to try everything “plain” first, but I had a suspicion the flavors would be strong and need the coconut milk to mellow them a bit. I am very glad I did this as I think the drink would have been nearly undrinkable for me without it. As the name would suggest, the predominant flavors should be apple (Honeycrisp according to Dunkin’) and cranberry with “notes of fall spices.”

Dunkin Apple Cranberry Coconut Refresher Top

The drink comes with a purple-ish tone when you opt for the coconut milk, but mine wasn’t nearly as purple as the advertised products. I noticed the bottom of the cup had almost a pulp-like look, and I guessed it was just the concentrate settling from its journey home. After a good stir, I took the first sip. The layers of flavors that I tasted were a little overwhelming at first. The apple and cranberry were very present but quickly overshadowed by the “fall spices.”

I am not sure if the recipe has those fall spices (cinnamon, nutmeg were the flavors I mostly tasted) as a separate part from the apple cranberry concentrate, but they were borderline overpowering. Especially so towards the end of the drink where the bottom seemed to be almost entirely made of those dang spices. Despite my best attempts to keep swirling, the cinnamon flavor took over about halfway through and wouldn’t relent.

The coconut milk added no perceivable flavor but helped to dull the very sharp spices. The green tea was undetectable. What was frustrating was that every few sips the drink would be palatable and then I’d hit this pocket of cinnamon that tasted what those horrible cinnamon brooms smell like. I also got a large (remember: I bought a 12pk of a mystery flavor soda, so I am kind of a risk-taker), and I almost tossed the last 1/4th. As the ice melted, however, it mellowed the drink to a point where I could finish it.

Dunkin Apple Cranberry Coconut Refresher Napkin

While it was a noble effort to try and offer a fall item not pumpkin-centric, the unevenly strong cinnamon flavor made it hard to love from beginning to end. If the fall spices are a separate thing, I would absolutely order it again with WAY less of whatever the recipe asks for. Otherwise, this drink treads too close to tasting like what an apple cinnamon candle smells like.

Purchased Price: $3.59
Size: Large
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 230 calories, 6 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 90 milligrams of sodium, 44 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 40 grams of sugar, and 1 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Smoked Vanilla Cold Brew

Dunkin Smoked Vanilla Cold Brew Grab

What is the Dunkin’ Smoked Vanilla Cold Brew?

Sweet and spicy? Been there, done that. Sweet and salty? Played out! Sweet and smoky? Hmm, is Dunkin’ on to something here?

How is it?

Dunkin’ is, in fact, NOT on to something here.

Let’s just clear the air first – this is a weird flavor choice. I guess I see why Dunkin’ would do it. It does look cool on paper, but it’s always had a vanilla representation on the menu, and the “smoke” element really didn’t set it apart at all. It’s not all that “smokey.” All I can really say is, the vanilla flavor seemed to have a unique lingering effect to it, so maybe I’ll just credit that to the smoke…?

I always get one swirl just to sweeten my cold brews up a bit, and my choice varies by the day. I’ve had em all, and there really hasn’t been one that I dislike. Smoked Vanilla reminded me of a combination of two of ’em – Vanilla and Caramel.

Dunkin Smoked Vanilla Cold Brew Cup

The flavor was vaguely Werther’s Original, which sounds great as I type it, but “vaguely” is the keyword there. It was like those Werther’s soft caramels with a vanilla filling or those “Cow Tail” candies that I think only me and 43 other people eat. I love those, so even a hint of that flavor was welcome.

That’s all good and well, but it wasn’t what I was being sold. Where’s the smoke? I’m struggling to even hypothesize what “Smoked Vanilla” was supposed to taste like. Maybe it really was just a slightly caramelized vanilla flavor, and they absolutely nailed it.

Anything else you need to know?

Dunkin Smoked Vanilla Cold Brew Bottom

I use oat milk as my dairy, so that may have counteracted the smoke. Who knows? I’m just trying to think of any reason why I didn’t get any. I wasn’t expecting it to taste like brisket, but I expected some sort of intriguing smokiness.

This brew also had sweet cold foam, and it didn’t even last the walk from the Dunkin’ lobby to my car. I apologize, but I can’t even really tell you if it added any flavor to the drink whatsoever. Foam doesn’t really last in a cold iced drink, so I’m not even sure what I was expecting. From what I recall from the last time I had it, it was just a generic sugary sweetener.

Conclusion:

Hey, we’ve got another option to sweeten our drinks. Ya really can’t be too mad about that. If you’re expecting this to taste like a flambeed dessert or something, you’re probably gonna be let down.

Will Smoked Vanilla last as a flavor? I doubt it, but you may think it delivers a lot more than I did, so give it a shot. It’s like the “smoke-heads” love to say, “Smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em.”

Purchased Price: $4.29
Size: Medium
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 190 calories, 3 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 10 mg of cholesterol, 55 milligrams of sodium, 39 grams of total carbohydrates, 36 grams of total sugars, 0 grams of fiber, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Coconutmilk Iced Latte

Dunkin Coconutmilk Iced Latte Cup

What is Dunkin’s Coconutmilk Iced Latte?

Summer’s just about here, so why not try brightening up your morning latte with a hint of the tropics?

How is it?

Well, I certainly didn’t feel like I was on a tropical vacation because this might be the worst possible coffee order at Dunkin.

That might seem hyperbolic with the endless amounts of combinations on their extensive menu, but I don’t think I’ve ever had such a… let’s say, “incomplete” iced coffee drink.

I didn’t get any sweetener or flavor add-ons because I wanted to review the Coconutmilk Iced Latte in its true form, and I’m here to warn you against making the same mistake.

I’ve gone this long in life without ever using coconutmilk as a coffee creamer, and I was excited at the prospect. I guess I just expected so much more.

Coconutmilk doesn’t work as a latte milk; it’s just way too thin. I’m not looking for a milkshake here, but I still expect a latte to be creamier than my usual cold brew. I’d say the only thing worse would be an unsweetened skim milk latte, but the coconut finish actually detracted from the coffee flavor too.

Dunkin Coconutmilk Iced Latte Top

Honestly, this tasted like coffee-flavored coconut milk more than a coconutmilk based coffee – if that makes sense? It was just water with a distant taste of coconut, and an even more distant hint of coffee.

Anything else you need to know?

Here’s the weird thing, I’m a big coconut fan.

I frequently order a cold brew with oat milk and a shot of coconut. Those flavor shots (not to be confused with flavor swirls) add just a tiny hint of additional flavor and very little sweetness, but I like that order so much more than this. I guess I can chalk it up to being mostly coffee with a thicker milk. Oddly, I think I like the fake coconut flavor better than the authentic too.

With all this said, this latte is probably salvageable. I never get sugar in my coffee, but it definitely would have pepped this up. I can see a flavor swirl of mocha improving it a ton as well. I bet the chocolate would pair nicely with the nuttiness of the coconut and possibly wake the coffee flavor up a little bit too. I loved Dunkin’s Samoa iced coffee in the past, so why not add a swirl of mocha AND caramel? Go (coco)nuts. It’s only 100 more calories. I might actually do this.

Conclusion:

Despite pretty much hating this latte, I do like that Dunkin’ has added the option of using coconutmilk, and I intend to give it another try in a cold brew or iced coffee.

If you feel so inclined to order this specific latte, just heed my advice and sweeten it up. I want your morning to be as bright as possible!

Purchased Price: $4.59
Size: Medium
Purchased at: Dunkin
Rating: 3 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 50 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 70 milligrams of sodium, 3 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of total sugars, 0 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Avocado Toast

Dunkin Avocado Toast Full

What is Dunkin’s Avocado Toast?

Better late than never, Dunkin’ tries to court millennials with the ever popular avocado toast. Dunkin’s version has a piece of toasted sourdough bread as the base, topped with avocado spread (made with four ingredients: avocado, sea salt, black pepper, and lemon juice), and finished with a hearty sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion, and garlic).

How is it?

Dunkin Avocado Toast Toasted

Avocado toast is a tricky thing to nail. Yes, it seems simple, but it can go bad very quickly. Dunkin’s iteration sits in that “firm middle of the road” category. It isn’t good, nor is it bad. It’s just okay. The sourdough provides a good base for the item. Thoroughly toasted, it holds up well to the spread and keeps its structural integrity.

Dunkin Avocado Toast Split

The avocado spread is certainly better than most spreads I’ve had, but the lemon flavor will come on strong every few bites. It’s not necessarily unpleasant, but it’s not a flavor I associate with avocado toast. Of course, I understand the necessity of lemon to help the avocado stay stable and not turn brown.

The everything bagel seasoning does most of the heavy lifting flavor-wise. The strong flavors of the garlic and onion bits make the lemon less pungent. I can say with pretty strong confidence that the item would be rated much lower without the seasoning.

Anything else you need to know?

Dunkin Avocado Toast Cut

The item was relatively light for a breakfast item on its own. After the fact, I cursed myself for not getting some of Dunkin’s snacking bacon. I think that might make it a little more substantial, and I’d be curious how the bacon worked with the spread.

You can also buy the spread separately to add to other Dunkin’ items if you so want.

Conclusion:

Dunkin’s Avocado Toast is a solid try at a popular item. It’s not going to wow you if you’re looking for the flavor of pure avocado, but works well as a very light breakfast/snack. It’s a nice change from the more traditional breakfast offerings at Dunkin’ that can sometimes be heavy on the stomach.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 piece) 240 calories, 11 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 530 milligrams of sodium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam

Dunkin Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam Full

What is Dunkin’s Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam?

Ever wanted your cold brew to taste more like a cold brewski? Well, Dunkin’s got you covered.

How is it?

I drink more stouts than I should admit.

Seriously, here’s a list of stouts I’ve had since Christmas – Coffee, Cacao, Russian Imperial, Chai, “Rainbow Cookie,” Peanut Butter, “Almond Joy,” S’mores, Coconut, Peppermint, Banana, Maple Cinnamon, Cookies n’ Cream, and one with hot peppers. Yup, I’m one of those annoying craft beer guys.

Does that make me an authority on stouts? Yes. It absolutely does. I felt it was my duty to review Dunkin’s new Chocolate Stout Cold Brew for you good folks.

Dunkin Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam Top

It actually started out looking like a nitro stout, with syrup streaks cascading down the side of the cup. I tried the cold foam before mixing it in, and it tasted like a very light typical cream topping with a hint of saltiness. Weird start.

The first full sip tasted like some prankster bartender put ice in a chocolate stout and let the cubes melt before serving. It was like a watered-down ghost of a chocolate stout.

The stout-flavored syrup insisted on clinging to the bottom, so it did get more and more stouty as I sipped on but never really came close to the flavor I was hoping for.

Dunkin Chocolate Stout Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam Bottle

I wasn’t expecting it to be spot on, as “stout” is an acquired taste, but it wasn’t malty or even very roasty, which caught me off-guard because it’s coffee, after all.

The chocolate flavor wasn’t bursting either. I kept tasting a Fudgesicle, but not even a good one, like one of those reduced-fat Fudgsicles.

Anything else you need to know?

The cold brew itself got lost. It definitely didn’t taste like a chocolate coffee stout to me. The coffee may have been the least discernible flavor. I love a sweet cold brew, but I still wanna taste the coffee. This was neither too sweet nor too coffee forward. It landed in a watery limbo.

Conclusion:

If you want chocolate, just get a pump of mocha. If you wanna pretend you’re drinking booze at Dunkin’, just get a shot of Irish crème flavor instead.

I can appreciate the effort, but this is not replacing my usual Dunkin order, or furthering my stout obsession.

Purchased Price: $3.00
Size: Medium
Purchased at: Dunkin
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (with cream) 270 calories, 11 grams of fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 35 mg of cholesterol, 85 milligrams of sodium, 39 grams of total carbohydrates, 37 grams of total sugars, 0 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein.