Do Dunkin Refreshers Have Caffeine? (Menu Levels Compared)

Do Dunkin Refreshers Contain Caffeine? (Surprising Facts!)

Dunkin Refreshers have caffeine. How much caffeine varies based on which Dunkin Refresher size and flavor you get.

When I looked, I found Refreshers have caffeine in proportion to the Dunkin cup sizes. This definitely ISN’T a surprising fact - but the specifics aren’t what you might expect!

I've compared all the flavors I knew about in the different cup sizes that Dunkin Donuts Refreshers come in. Peach Passion Fruit, Strawberry Dragon Fruit… You name it; I looked at it.

I didn’t notice any excess jitters or spikes in my energy, and the caffeine is similar for all the flavors.

Still, it’s worth noting that Dunkin Donuts says, “...Caffeine values can vary greatly based on the variety of coffee/tea and the brewing equipment/steeping method used.”[1]

Here's a breakdown of the caffeine amounts so you can jump to the caffeinated and fruit-flavored Refresher that appeals to you the most.

Then you'll know how much caffeine is in each as I've organized them by milligrams of caffeine.

Dunkin Refreshers Ingredients & Nutrition

Dunkin Refreshers are lightly caffeinated beverages with a range of delicious flavors.

They’re the PERFECT way to chill out on a summer afternoon, and I have spent many a day with my favorite delicious energy drink.

Their main ingredients are flavored fruit concentrate coupled with brewed green tea.

This green tea extract means I can get a healthy caffeine intake without feeling the jitters I’d get from a big cup of Dunkin Donuts iced coffee!

Even iced green tea alone can't compare. The taste is so flat compared to the soft sweetness of a Dunkin Refresher like the Strawberry Dragon Fruit Refresher or Peach Passionfruit Refresher.

The fruit concentrate really makes all the difference when you need a sweet drink.

Nutrition

According to the Dunkin Donuts nutrition guide, they divide their Refreshers into three categories.[2] These are Dunkin Refreshers, Dunkin Lemonade Refreshers, and Dunkin Coconut Refreshers.

I've shared the key figures for each range of these iced drinks in the table below.

Ingredients

Dunkin Refreshers energy drinks also have a specific combination of ingredients. Dunkin has an Allergen and Ingredients Guide with all the details.[3]

I’ll share a few examples for each Refresher category, as I did for the nutrition section. You’ll see the ingredients all vary slightly and feature natural fruit flavors.

Mango Pineapple Dunkin Lemonade Refresher

Raspberry Watermelon Dunkin Refresher

Strawberry Dragonfruit Dunkin Coconut Refresher

Caffeine In Dunkin Refreshers Vs Other Dunkin Drinks

Dunkin Refreshers have caffeine, but coffee has MUCH more! The average caffeine in an 8-ounce cup of coffee (small!) is already 80-100mg.

The medium Dunkin's Refreshers get you 99mg on average, and that's in 24 ounces! The large ones get you 132mg, but they're 32 ounces.

Green tea and brewed coffee drinks are the way to go when I don’t want a Dunkin Refresher. Their frozen coffee and iced green tea satisfy me when looking for a highly caffeinated beverage.

These drinks are a great alternative compared to Refreshers. They’re smooth and tasty without making me bounce off the walls while working.

Here are some other Dunkin drinks so you can see the actual amount of caffeine you’re getting at a glance.

Even when buying the large Dunkin Refreshers, I don't get as much of an energy boost. It makes sense when you notice that the smallest cup of coffee has almost 50mg more caffeine!

This shows how much caffeine still goes into Dunkin Refreshers. I definitely notice that refreshers have caffeine, and I drink coffee EVERY day of the week!

When there's too much caffeine, I know about it. And I'm pleased to say that Refreshers strike the right balance, even for an afternoon treat.

Caffeine In Dunkin Vs Starbucks Refreshers

Energy drinks like Dunkin Refreshers have a decent caffeine level. I got a lift from drinking all the cup sizes, no matter the flavor.

I knew Starbucks had a popular range of Refreshers, too, so I thought I'd check them out and compare. Starbucks has Tall, Grande, Venti, and Trenta size drinks.

I've represented these as S-XL as the caffeine ranges were similar for all products.

You’ll usually get the biggest energy boost from Dunkin Refreshers.

Only when you order the 24-ounce Venti size or 32-ounce Trenta size will you get more caffeine than a small-sized cup from Dunkin Donuts.

Healthy Alternatives To Dunkin Refreshers

Sometimes other Dunkin Refreshers and their fruit concentrates don’t give me what I want. I occasionally go for all-natural alternatives with less sugar and less caffeine.

This way, I don't worry about having too many calories or additives that day. If you're the same, here are two other refreshing Dunkin options I like.

Unsweetened Iced Tea

Dunkin Donuts Refreshers are known for their cool freshness.

I always want to preserve that sensation in other beverages I try. Especially on a hot summer day when I need a refreshment after more than about half-hour outside!

The unsweetened iced tea is ideal for me. It’s made with green tea when I want something herbal. It has barely ANY sugar and caffeine compared to other drinks.

Even the black tea version is much the same - apart from the taste, of course.

Cold Brew Coffee

Because Refreshers have caffeine, my preference for the next best alternative is a cold brew coffee. This preserves the caffeine and freshness but keeps out the sugar.

The average small beverage from Dunkin Donuts is always refreshing, but if you're counting calories, it's best to stick to coffee as it lacks additives like sugar.

Cold brew coffee is a fantastic way for me to achieve that without sacrificing the nice cooling sensation I enjoy so much.

Related Dunkin Refreshers FAQs

What do Dunkin Refreshers taste like?

The taste of Dunkin Refreshers is sweet and fruity to me. Some verge on tartness, like the lemonade Refreshers. Others like the coconut Refreshers I find much plainer.

Are Dunkin Refreshers vegan-friendly?

Yes, Dunkin Refreshers are vegan-friendly. I've not come across any combinations that aren't suitable for vegans. As always, though, double-check with staff if you're unsure.

Does Dunkin Refresher contain any preservatives or additives?

No, there are no preservatives, according to the official ingredients list. Additives are used but mostly in the Coconut Refreshers.

How long do Dunkin Refreshers stay fresh?

Dunkin Refreshers will keep fresh for around a week, so long as you store them in the fridge. If not, my experience tells me you won't want to consume it any later than a few hours!

Conclusion

Do Dunkin Refreshers have caffeine? I've found they all do, yes. They contain green tea naturally, even in their coconut milk version.

The caffeine amount isn't excessive for non-coffee-based drinks but still enough to help my energy levels.

If you’re unsure about the sugar content or caffeine in your favorite Refresher beverages from Dunkin, check out the guides in the reference section below and search for the flavor that appeals to you the most!

References:

1. https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en/menu/teas-and-more/product-dunkin-refreshers-id400129
2. https://www.dunkindonuts.com/content/dam/dd/pdf/nutrition.pdf
3. https://www.dunkindonuts.com/content/dam/dd/pdf/allergy_ingredient_guide.pdf