If you make a purchase using our provided links, we may receive a commission. Learn more here.
I’ll admit I’m a caffeine fiend, but there have been a couple of times when I needed to go caffeine-free.
If any chain was going to make decaf interesting enough for me to try, it was Dutch Bros.
Key takeaways
Can you get decaf coffee at Dutch Bros?
The short answer is yes, you can get decaf coffee at Dutch Bros . A few details matter once you start ordering.
First, Dutch Bros Coffee doesn’t have a dedicated decaf menu. In other words, I didn’t even see decaf coffee drinks on the menu.
For espresso-based drinks, I have to ask for the decaf version specifically.
What decaf coffee can you get at Dutch Bros?
The decaf coffee options break down a few different ways:
Does Dutch Bros have decaf tea?
Yes, Dutch Bros does have decaffeinated tea.
Regular tea drinks do not have decaf versions, but Dutch Bros does offer Decaf Ceylon Tea .
It is basically black tea with the caffeine removed.
I still use that in tea-based drinks like Double Rainbro (strawberry, peach, coconut flavor combination), Galaxy Fish (strawberry, passion fruit, lime flavors), Marmalade (strawberry, orange grapefruit flavors), and Hawaiian (orange, peach, strawberry, banana flavors).
Does Dutch Bros have decaf espresso shots?
Dutch Bros does have decaf espresso shots!
Some drinks, like the Dutch Bros Freeze , can’t be made decaf.
That’s because the caffeine is already built into the powder base mix.
I learned that after trying to order a Golden Eagle Freeze and ending up with the Golden Eagle blended drink instead.
The flavor is similar, but the way it’s made changes the result enough that I stopped treating them as the same order.
The Freeze uses a pre-mix, while the blended version uses espresso, which can be made decaf.
Does Dutch Bros have decaf iced coffee?
Yes, Dutch Bros has decaffeinated iced coffee. I just have to ask for the decaf version when I order it.
For even more interesting decaffeinated iced coffee, try adding flavored syrups!
Caramel syrup, white chocolate syrup, and almond Roca syrup are the flavors I tend to use with it.
Does Dutch Bros have decaf cold brew?
Unfortunately, Dutch Bros doesn’t have a decaffeinated cold brew.
If I want something closer to a decaf cold brew, I order a decaffeinated iced coffee or another cold espresso drink instead.
Caffeine free drinks vs decaf drinks
Before getting into the caffeine content, I want to separate Dutch Bros caffeine-free drinks from decaf.
I got mixed up on that at first, so here’s the simple version:
Short for decaffeinated coffee, decaf is used to describe coffee beans that have had at least 97% of their caffeine removed.
Decaf still has some caffeine in the beans, just not enough to taste like full-strength coffee.
Caffeine-free drinks, on the other hand, describe drinks that are free from caffeine. They’re not necessarily coffee-based drinks – rather, beverages that don’t contain any caffeine.
Caffeine-free drinks are a different category, which is why it helps to know the difference before ordering.
Dutch Bros decaf drinks caffeine content
The caffeine removal process happens before the beans are roasted and ground.
Outside of caffeine, decaffeinated coffee is pretty much the same nutritionally as caffeinated coffee.
As decaffeinated coffee is not completely caffeine free, the amount of caffeine in a decaf coffee depends on how the caffeine removal process is done.
The article cites 3 mg of caffeine for a cup of coffee.
It also cites 0 to 7 mg of caffeine for a 6-ounce cup of decaf.
By comparison, regular coffee is listed at around 70 to 140 mg, which is a big jump.
Apart from avoiding caffeine due to caffeine sensitivity and other conditions, decaf coffee offers numerous health benefits.
The article also notes lower acidity for decaf and cites research linking it to less acid reflux.
It also cites decaf as helping metabolism.
Ordering decaf coffee at Dutch Bros (“Broista” tips)
If I want a decaf version of my favorite Dutch Bros drink, I have to order ‘decaf’ outright.
Half-caf is another option, which is just a coffee made with 50% caffeinated and 50% decaffeinated beans.
I also customize the milk sometimes with a non-dairy option like Dutch Bros oat milk, and add cinnamon, birthday sprinkles, a soft top, or extra syrup and sauce.
I’ve also ordered Dutch Bros decaf coffee beans so I can brew at home when I can’t get to a shop.
The beans taste like dark chocolate to me, with a nutty, bold edge that makes the cup feel fuller than I expected.
Best non-caffeinated options at Dutch Bros
That’s part of why the non-caffeinated side of the menu matters just as much to me as the decaf coffee itself.
Several options include smoothies, lemonades, Italian sodas, hot chocolate, and more.
Smoothies
For smoothies, there are options like green apple, mango, strawberry, and peach.
I’m not usually a smoothie fan, but the Dutch Bros version is thick and creamy enough that I don’t mind ordering one.
The whipped cream pushes it a little further into dessert territory.
Dutch Frosts
The Dutch Frosts are one of my favorite dessert-style drinks, using vanilla ice cream as the base for their milkshake-like drinks.
When I’m there with my niece and nephew, this is usually what they want.
Some of my favorite Frost flavors include Cotton Candy Frost (blue raspberry and white chocolate), White Chocolate Frost (with white chocolate sauces), and Banana Cream Pie Frost (banana and white chocolate).
Lemonades
I’ll randomly crave Dutch Bros lemonades and stop for one.
They cool things down fast and make a nice change from smoothies and Frosts.
My favorite lemonade flavor is Laser Cat (raspberry and coconut flavors), but there are tons of lemonade flavors to choose from.
Dutch Sodas
Dutch Sodas are fruity, fizzy, and lighter than the creamier drinks.
A Dutch Soda is basically sparkling soda water infused with different flavors.
A good one to try is the OG Gummy Bear (pomegranate, grapefruit, watermelon, passion fruit flavors), and there always seems to be another flavor in rotation.
Cocoa
Last but not least is the Dutch Cocoa. Dutch Cocoa contains chocolate milk, so the base is still cow’s milk.
Barista HQ Tip: One final thing to note, Dutch Bros sells tea and energy drinks. These two options are both caffeinated, and only the tea has a decaf version.
FAQs
What are some decaf Dutch Bros drink alternatives?
If I want a decaf-style order, I think in terms of decaf espresso drinks, Frosts, smoothies, lemonades, or chocolate drinks instead of trying to force every menu item into the same category.
Is there caffeine in Dutch Bros lemonade?
There is no caffeine in Dutch Bros lemonades.
Does Dutch Bros have sugar-free coffee?
Dutch Bros does have sugar-free coffee. I usually just ask for a sugar-free version.
What drink has the most caffeine at Dutch Bros?
The 9-1-1 is one of the highest-caffeine drinks on the menu, and the article says it contains six shots of espresso.
What is the healthiest thing on the Dutch Bros menu?
Smoothies are one of the easier non-coffee orders on the Dutch Bros menu.
Summary – Grab a decaf!
That range is a big part of why Dutch Bros works for both caffeine drinkers and people who want to skip it.
I’ve ordered the Golden Eagle and Annihilator as decaf before, and they still taste close enough to the originals that I don’t miss the regular versions.
That makes the decaf menu feel like a real option, not a compromise.
On top of that, the non-caffeinated drinks give me enough options that I don’t feel boxed in when I skip coffee altogether.
Between the decaf coffee and the non-caffeinated menu, Dutch Bros gives me a real off-ramp from caffeine instead of a single backup order.
