Some people say, "Flavored coffee is not real coffee." I call those people coffee snobs.
I enjoy a subtle taste of hazelnut or vanilla in my coffee any day. Luckily for people like me, many coffee shops have great flavor options, including Dunkin' Donuts.
DD offers sweet syrups called flavor “swirls,” but you can also customize the taste of your coffee with a “flavor shot” that has no sugar, is dairy free, and is almost calorie-free.[1]
I’ve sampled and rated them here for you. You’re welcome, my flavor-loving friends.
6 Best Dunkin' Flavor Shots You Should Try Today
These Dunkin’ Donuts flavor shots are available all year round. If you like to add some pizzazz to your coffee without any extra sugar or dairy and maintain coffee flavor, here are your best options.
1. Hazelnut
I love hazelnut-flavored things; I just love the taste of them. It's great in Dunkin Donuts iced coffees as well as hot brewed coffee. This flavor shot gives me childhood Nutella sandwich vibes.
If you don't mind extra calories and sweetness, to create an indulgent Nutella-flavored coffee delight, try combining the hazelnut flavor shot with the mocha swirl. O.M.G.
2. Coconut
As far as coconut-flavored options go, this Dunkin’ shot is excellent. They have managed to create an authentic experience that doesn’t have a fake aftertaste.
A cup of black coffee or cold brew with coconut gives a unique, more prosperous, and slightly nutty flavor that elevates an otherwise plain coffee.
3. Blueberry
I am generally skeptical of anything that advertises a berry taste.
So I was already skeptical before trying this. I always personalize my coffee to get a true and dependable coffee experience on my first try.
This was a pleasant surprise. It tastes like dark chocolate-covered dried blueberries. I tried it with a latte, which was nice but didn’t do it for me as much as the straight blueberry black coffee did.
4. Vanilla
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: vanilla is not “boring”; it’s delicious. End of story. Add it to anything, and it just works. The vanilla flavor shot at Dunkin’ is a no-brainer.
Iced coffee, cold brewed, hot coffee, latte, or cappuccino. All delicious with what most people would overlook at first glance.
Keep in mind, vanilla is the only flavor shot also available as a swirl. If you prefer your beverage sugar and dairy free, don’t order the swirl.
5. Toasted Almond
The toasted component is key here.
Almond flavor can be really overpowering, but the toasted almond flavor shot is a slightly milder, nutty taste that works really well in both hot and cold coffees.
I enjoyed it in my coffee, but my favorite was an oat milk cappuccino.
6. Raspberry
My aversion to berry flavoring was triggered again with this raspberry option. Not as nice as the blueberry shot, but still worth a mention, as others may not agree with me.
The best combination I tried was in an iced latte, where the coffee, milk, and ice mix with the raspberry shot tastes like dessert.
Dunkin’ Flavor Shot Nutrition Facts (Are They Healthy?)
Calorie Content
Yes, you can consider Dunkin shots of flavor to be healthy. At only 5 to 10 calories for a medium-sized beverage, the amount this adds to your total calorie count is negligible.
This is a great alternative to give your diet some flavor if you’re watching what you eat for an upcoming event.
Those who are going on vacation or getting married can still satisfy their sweet tooth without having to pack on the calories.
Sugar Content
The flavor shots are also sugar-free. They are free of artificial sweeteners and dyes. So these are a healthier flavor add-on option.
In a world full of disguised sugar products, it’s nice to hear that something that tastes good and isn’t loaded with chemically modified products.
What Drinks Are Best For Adding Flavor Shots?
In a perfect world, all coffee would come with your favorite shot, but unfortunately, not all drinks will work.
Stick to drinks that are bitter; this is why coffee makes such a good candidate for this kind of addition.
You can pair your fav flavor with either hot or cold brew coffee. The bitter flavor is not lost when you add ice, and during those scorching summer months, this could be your summer coffee drink savior.
It may also work with certain teas for those who want to enjoy a shot with less caffeine.
Ultimately, any coffee beverage is a good option for adding a flavor shot. With no additional calories, sugar, or dairy, give flavor shots a shot in your next coffee beverage.
In the meantime, I’ll be on the lookout for more flavors, as it seems the options could be endless, given how popular they’ve become.
What’s the difference between Dunkin’ Flavor Shot and Swirl?
The big differences between Dunkin’ flavor shot and swirl are sugar, calorie, and dairy content.
Flavor shots contain no sugar, no dairy, and hardly any calories.
A flavor swirl is sugar-sweetened, which adds 150 - 160 calories per medium-sized cup. They also contain dairy, except for Mocha swirl.
The shots that are available all year round are Vanilla, Hazelnut, Toasted Almond, Coconut, Blueberry, and Raspberry.
Flavor swirls on the menu are Caramel, French Vanilla, Butter Pecan, and Mocha swirl. Seasonal swirl flavors include Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Mocha.[2]
Frequently Asked Dunkin' Flavor Shot Questions
How many flavor shots are in large Dunkin drinks?
There are four flavor shots in a large Dunkin coffee. If you prefer more or less, you can let your barista know. I recommend getting at most four, as this may take away from the delicious coffee flavor that brought you to DD in the first place.
How many flavor shots are in medium Dunkin drinks?
There are three flavor shots in a medium Dunkin coffee drink. You can also combine flavors. There’s nothing wrong with ordering two shots of vanilla and one shot of Hazelnut. It will cost the same but create a very unique flavor. This provides a bit of fun and excitement to your order as you can experiment with different combos and quantities.
Are all Dunkin flavor shots caffeinated?
Dunkin’ flavor shots don’t contain any additional caffeine. All caffeine content comes from the cup of coffee ordered. Overall, DD provides a little bit more caffeine per ounce than Starbucks does, so if you’re craving a delicious bevy and need a quick pick me up, then head to your nearest Dunkin’ Donuts next time.
Conclusion
With six options to customize your cup of coffee without sugar or dairy, don't hesitate the next time you're craving a punch of hazelnut or blueberry in your cup of coffee from Dunkin' Donuts.
Now get out there to explore the world of guilt-free flavors![3]
If you don’t know where to start, go with my favorite – the hazelnut!
References:
1. https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog/dunkin-flavor-shot-flavor-swirl
2. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230414005053/en/Fans-Asked-Dunkin%E2%80%99-Answered-Butter-Pecan-Swirl-Secures-Permanent-Spot-on-Dunkin%E2%80%99-Menu
3. https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/05/health/added-free-sugars-health-effects-study-wellness/index.html
