REVIEW: Dunkin’ Sabrina’s Mixed Berry Daydream Refreshers

Earlier this summer, I not so boldly predicted that Sabrina Carpenter’s Strawberry Daydream Refresher – her first flirtation with Dunkin’s Refreshers line – was only the beginning.

The Fall menu at Dunkin’ features two new Daydream Refreshers that don’t scream “Fall” in terms of what we’ve grown accustomed to in the pumpkin spice age, but the flavors aren’t totally out of place for September, and they definitely look the part. Mixed Berry and Mango Daydream Refreshers are here in all of their purple and orange glory, attempting to bridge the gap from fruity summer fantasies to convincing yourself it isn’t too early to buy Halloween candy.

Banking on my enjoyment of the Strawberry Daydream, I opted to try the Mixed Berry version. This Refresher blends the strawberry dragonfruit concentrate and blueberry breeze concentrate with oat milk and is served iced, topped with sweet cold foam. Was I just talking about Halloween?

As soon as I was handed my drink, a very different holiday scene came to mind. I couldn’t help but think of the movie Elf, where Buddy goes to work with his father and greets a coworker with “That’s a nice purple dress. Very purply.” This mixed berry drink is decidedly purply, and somehow just holding it and looking at it is enjoyable. Is this why Grimace is always smiling?

Getting beyond looks and into taste, I always enjoy the cold foam at Dunkin’, and this was no different, a thick and sweet layer on top that initially hides anything underneath but quickly dissipates into the drink. I couldn’t detect any strong berry notes until I got past the foam, and I was pleased to find the underlying bulk of the drink to be not too artificially blueberry-ish.

Not surprisingly, the flavor of this Refresher reminded me a lot of a mixed berry yogurt, and the creaminess of the oat milk only made it more reminiscent. You know it’s berry flavored, but no one berry really stands out. We can probably attribute this to the fact that the strawberry flavoring also includes dragonfruit and the blueberry includes juniper, making this a bit of a monster mash of berries. I’ve heard some people found the taste of this and the original Strawberry Daydream to be medicinal, but it never hit my taste buds in that way.

It’s sweet without being overly so, and the berry flavor is inoffensive but also about as exciting as mixed berry yogurt, which is to say, not very.

In addition to not being particularly exciting, I also don’t find this necessarily refreshing. It’s pleasant enough, but when I open the refrigerator searching for refreshment, I’m never going to reach for the mixed berry yogurt first. They say you eat (drink?) with your eyes first, and if you subscribe to that, you might be pleased with this purple concoction, but I don’t think it will warrant a repeat purchase.

Purchased Price: $5.49
Size: Medium
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 290 calories, 5 grams of total fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 115 milligrams of sodium, 57 grams of total carbs, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 42 grams of total sugar, and 3 grams of protein

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Cereal N’ Milk Latte

Even though there is a Dunkin’ Donuts (or “Dunks” as the chain is affectionately known here in Mass) literally in my backyard, I don’t go there very often. I’m more of a Red Bull kind of girl. When I go to DD, I tend to get cold brew with foam rather than a latte… but a Cereal Milk latte? That had me curious.

It’s genius, honestly. The milk left over after you’ve enjoyed a bowl of cereal is almost as good as the cereal itself! Why have I never considered adding it to my tea or coffee before? Good thing Dunks had my back!

It was hot outside, so I opted to get my drink iced. I was hoping for something refreshing, but it was too thick and rich for that. I was THIRSTY when handed my drink, and as I gulped it, I was left feeling a bit like Ron Burgundy from Anchorman when he chugs the milk in that one scene. I have to say, though, that despite that description, it did have a nice mouth feel, somewhere between Half & Half and melted ice cream. Smooth and velvety and very creamy.

You’re probably wondering, much like I was, what \*kind\* of cereal Dunkin’ is referring to. The term is just too generic, given the various fruity, chocolatey, sweetened, and otherwise varieties out there, and, well… that remains a mystery, sadly. Your guess is as good as mine. The taste is decidedly NOT fruity, as I’d kind of been expecting, nor is it chocolatey or really distinctly anything. Still, it really DOES manage to convey a distinct CEREAL taste that lingers on the tongue after each sip before fading away into a vaguely grain-like aftertaste.

If I HAD to guess? Somewhere between generic Lucky Charms and Frosted Flakes. Both are in the ballpark, but neither feels quite right.

That kinda bitter, slightly burnt taste you can expect with a Dunkin’ espresso product is present, but it does get drowned out by the sweetness and flavor of the cereal milk, which works in the drink’s favor. All in all, I’d get this again. It’s sweet and tasty, and it hits a nice breakfast-y note for me.

I don’t know if it’s universal or not, but my local Dunkin’ (yes, the one I can see from my window as I type this) offers Coolattas and Matcha in addition to the Lattes, so if espresso isn’t your thing but you still want to try this flavor, there you go.

Purchased Price: $5.02
Size: Small
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 220 calories, 7 grams of total fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 220 milligrams of sodium, 31 grams of total carbs, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 29 grams of total sugar, and 7 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Blueberry Breeze Refresher

Over the course of this weekend, I noticed Blueberry Pie Oreos at Target, a Blueberry & Crème Pie at McDonald’s, and a whole menu of blueberry ice cream specials at Häagen-Dazs. After all, the vibrantly colored fruit makes the perfect summer snack—it’s in season, it’s light and lively, and it’s refreshing. That last keyword is why I only had eyes for one cerulean sweet, Dunkin’s new summer star, the Blueberry Breeze Refresher.

The press release for this drink emphasizes its customizability, and there is an array of options for bases that almost overwhelmed even my choice-loving brain. Perhaps you’re feeling simple (you can stick with water), fizzy (go for sparkling water), classic green tea (how about black tea?), or sweet ‘n sour (hello, lemonade). But I must have been swayed by the dessert-y blueberry foods I passed by, because I eschewed all those and even my usual go-to, the perky green tea, in favor of something more indulgent. Sure, it was hot out and I was excited for a drink to quench my thirst, but I also wanted something that would feel like a special treat, and so I opted for the oat milk base.

About three seconds after I’d placed my order, an extremely efficient employee handed it to me, and right away I could spot the differences from my typical Refresher base. The oat milk made my drink opaque and lent it a noticeably thick texture that looked closer to a smoothie than a tea. The first sip stood apart as well; it was creamy and full-bodied, with the oat milk bringing out the blueberry’s sweetness rather than its tartness. I can’t say that this drink didn’t taste like blueberry, but the blueberry was more of an aftertaste that made itself apparent once the initial onslaught of the oatmilk’s nutty sweetness had faded. Said another way: this Refresher didn’t evoke eating a handful of fresh fruit so much as it did eating a blueberry-filled baked good. In that way, it reminded me of 2022’s Blueberry Muffin Kit Kat; I recall some initial confusion about why that flavor had specifically been based on a muffin instead of just the berries themselves, but our reviewer for that product noted a cakey note that gave additional depth, and I noticed that same complexity here. That all being said, I didn’t feel like I was chugging straight sugar—despite its richness, the drink still felt light and zippy enough to allow me to fantasize that I was basking in an ocean breeze alongside my Blueberry Breeze. That worked for me!

I suspect the flavor would have been tangier and juicier with a different base, and I appreciate that flexibility. Whether I want to perk myself up before a day in the office, hydrate on a long walk, or relive the nostalgia of my childhood lemonade stand, there will be a Blueberry Breeze Refresher for any occasion. I’m usually one-and-done when it comes to limited-time seasonal variants, but this drink accommodates my desire for novelty and adaptability so well that I can see myself reaching for another whenever I’m feeling blue this summer.

Purchased Price: $4.56
Size: Medium
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (w/Green Tea) 130 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 28 grams of sugar (including 28 grams of added sugar), and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Chipotle Hash Brown Wake-Up Wrap

I love fast food wraps. I’m basically the anti-Sir Mix-a-Lot anaconda, because I actually want some if you ain’t got buns, Hun.

It’s a great time for me because it’s basically the summer of the wrap, with more and more fast food joints jumping into the wrap trap. Popeyes has some solid new tortilla’d strips, “Taco Bell is a chicken place is a taco place is a chicken place,” burritos are really good despite the annoying commercials, and hey, who could forget the much-ballyhooed return of McDonald’s Snack Wraps? I know I didn’t. They’re not the same, but I’ll still throw ’em down.

Here’s the thing, amongst all that hype, I almost completely ignored the best new wrap of them all. While those chicken retreads soak up the spotlight, allow me to ballyhoo Dunkin’s new Chipotle Hash Brown Wake-up Wrap. Ballyhoo, I say!

… I don’t actually know what “ballyhoo” means, but I do know that Dunkin’s Wake-up Wraps are criminally underrated, and it’s about time you people, well, woke up.

Wake-up Wraps are a great little economical breakfast in a pinch. Sure, the eggs are rubber, the bacon is borderline inedible sometimes, the cheese might as well be made by Elmer’s, and the wraps usually have hard edges, but I still kinda love ’em for some reason. Adding hash browns and chipotle sauce brings them to a whole new level.

Dunkin’s hash browns remain arguably my favorite in fast food. I’ve actually been adding the zesty, crispy coins to my Dunkin’ sandwiches and wraps for years, so it’s nice to see the restaurant finally catching up.

I wrote a diatribe about how I don’t love “sauce” in my recent Goldfish review, little did I know that just a few weeks later I’d be adding Dunkin’s Chipotle Aioli to the A-tier on my Sauce Tier list that ABSOLUTELY took the internet by storm.

The chipotle aioli works so well on a breakfast wrap. It’s very similar to the sauce Taco Bell uses in their Breakfast Crunchwrap, which, as we all know, is the breakfast G.O.A.T.

Another thing I like about this wrap is that you can customize both the protein and the cheese, and every combo works. I enjoyed sausage, but I think bacon pairs better with the aioli and hash browns. As long as the bacon is actually cooked, I’d recommend that with American cheese, but white cheddar is no slouch.

There’s no wrong way to eat a Dunkin’ Chipotle Hash Brown Wake-up Wrap. I came up with that slogan. It’s an original.

How can it get any better, you ask?! They’re included in the current $5 Meal Deal! It might not seem like anything amazing, but two of these and an iced coffee for five bucks might be the best deal Dunkin’ has had since its questionable app update.

I think these are a perfect breakfast for anyone on the go. Even if you order two, they won’t bog you down, and they should leave you satisfied. Take advantage of the $5 Meal Deal before the summer wraps up.

Purchased Price: $3.99 each
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 340 calories, 24 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 110 milligrams of cholesterol, 910 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of total carbohydrates, 2 grams of total sugars, 1 gram of fiber, and 10 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffee

Today was the perfect day for me to review Dunkin’s new limited edition (it’s only around this summer) Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffee: I had to wake up at 5 am, I had free time in the afternoon right as my energy was starting to fade, and it was hot as heck outside. Motivated by these conditions that basically begged for a mixture of caffeine and frozen dessert, I perused the three flavor options—Cookie Dough, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Butter Pecan—and opted for Butter Pecan.

I sometimes get nervous when purchasing new items that employees might not be familiar with yet, but the ordering process went smoothly… at least until I was handed a bald Frozen Coffee, missing the luxurious whipped cream, syrup swirl, and crunchy crushed waffle cone topping that solidify this drink as “Ice-Cream Inspired.” Being someone who dreads even mild confrontations, I immediately broke out in a sweat so cold I no longer required a frosty beverage to cool down, but I knew I would have to speak up.

The things I do for you, dear Impulsive Buy readers! Fortunately, after I sheepishly showed a picture on my phone (and apologized for the inconvenience about a dozen times), I was rewarded a few minutes later with a new Frozen Coffee looking as glamorous as the one in the marketing materials.

It tasted pretty glamorous, too! It approached the border of “overly sweet” without quite crossing it, which is just how I prefer my coffee. There was a toasty, generally nutty flavor that I might have identified as almond or hazelnut, but a buttery undertone sealed the deal as living up to its Butter Pecan name. The waffle cone topping lived up to its name as well—as with most ice cream cones I can recall, it was more textural than tasty, a bit bland when sampled on its own, but it provided a welcome crunch as part of a larger experience. (Note that it was best in small doses: when I chomped down on a large, slightly soggy cluster that had sunken to the bottom of the cup after finishing my drink, it was a tad overwhelming.) Luckily though, the butter pecan-flavored swirl perked up the neutral-tasting crunchies right up, providing a perfect pop of sweetness without being laid on too thick. And the whipped cream was light and airy, practically melting in my mouth, which added to the summery feeling.

Another thing I appreciated was how well-blended the drink was. While it clearly was frozen, the sips weren’t gritty, going down as smoothly as regular iced coffee. Though there was a substantial chunk of ice left at the end, I didn’t mind; mixed with the melty remnants of the whipped cream, syrup, and waffle cone pieces, the treat took on a snow cone texture in the final mouthfuls, which may not have been intentional but was still pretty fun.

Truthfully, the Butter Pecan Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffee wasn’t that different than any of the other frozen and/or sugar-bomb drinks Dunkin’ already has on offer. But between its playful seasonal vibe, thematically appropriate toppings, and perfect balance of being both sweet-but-not-cloying and frozen-but-still-drinkable, I’d suggest it for anyone looking to power through a heatwave, an unpleasantly early wakeup time, or just a good old-fashioned sugar craving.

Purchased Price: $5.11
Size: Small
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 590 calories, 22 grams of fat, 13 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 70 milligrams of cholesterol, 250 milligrams of sodium, 92 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 84 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.

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