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I’m a huge fan of straight black coffee, with maybe a splash of cream if I’m feeling fancy.
At Dunkin Donuts, though, I usually end up ordering something a little outside my normal cup of coffee.
DD offers sweet syrups called flavor “swirls,” but I also like using a “flavor shot” when I want taste without dairy or sugar, and with very few calories.
I’ve tried all six enough to know which ones I come back to most.
6 Best Dunkin' flavor shots you should try today
These Dunkin’ Donuts flavor shots are available all year round and are perfect for adding some excitement to my coffee without the extra sugar, dairy, or calories!
1. Hazelnut
I’ve always had a soft spot for hazelnut-flavored anything.
In Dunkin’s iced and hot coffee, the hazelnut shot comes across warm and toasted, and it takes the sharper edge off the espresso.
If the extra calories and sugar are of no issue, try combining the hazelnut flavor shot with the mocha swirl.
It gives me a Nutella-like vibe without turning the drink into a full dessert.
2. Coconut
Coconut and coffee is a combination I’ve come back to for years.
What I notice first is the light toasted-coconut aroma, which sits nicely against coffee’s bitterness.
Dunkin has managed to create an authentic coconut flavor that doesn’t have a fake aftertaste, which I love.
It stays in the background, so the drink still tastes like coffee instead of a flavored dessert.
3. Blueberry
Blueberry was not the flavor I expected to like with coffee.
In a cup, though, it reads more like sweet berry aroma than jam, which keeps it from feeling heavy.
That balance made it one of my favorite Dunkin flavor shots because it finishes cozy without getting cloying.
Regardless of whether it’s with iced of hot coffee, I highly recommend the woody, slightly sweet flavor.
4. Vanilla
Vanilla is probably the easiest flavor shot to use because it works in hot coffee, iced coffee, and drinks with milk.
Add it to iced coffee, cold brewed, hot coffee, latte, or cappuccino – it’s all amazing.
On its own, it smooths out the roastiness and gives the cup a rounder, sweeter finish.
5. Toasted Almond
Like coconut, toasted almond brings in a nutty note that fits neatly with coffee.
The toasted almond flavor is buttery and smooth, with a mild taste that I really enjoy.
I especially like it in an oat milk cappuccino, where the almond taste feels cleaner and less sharp.
6. Raspberry
After liking blueberry, I figured raspberry would probably work too.
I did like the sweet-tart edge, but it feels brighter and fades faster than blueberry, so I reach for it less often.
However, it was much tastier with ice and milk, with a dessert-like vibe.
Are Dunkin’ flavor shots healthy?
Calorie content
At only 5 to 10 calories for a Medium size, it helps me stick to my fitness goals nicely.
I still like having a bit of flavor in the cup.
Sugar content
The flavor shots are also sugar-free.
According to Dunkin, the flavor shots are made without artificial sweeteners or dyes, which helps explain why they feel simpler than the swirls.
That usually makes them the easier add-on when I want flavor without the drink feeling heavier.
What drinks are best for adding flavor shots?
I usually skip flavor shots in drinks that already have a lot of sweetness or flavor.
They make more sense to me in a bold, bitter coffee, where the shot has room to show up.
Fruitier shots also taste better to me over ice, where the cold keeps the flavor brighter.
Chocolate and vanilla work at almost any temperature, and I like them in iced tea too because the tea gives them enough backbone.
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.
Dunkin says flavor shots contain no sugar, no dairy, and very few 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 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.
FAQs
How many flavor shots are in large Dunkin drinks?
A large Dunkin coffee can get 4 flavor shots.
How many flavor shots are in medium Dunkin drinks?
A medium Dunkin coffee drink can get 3 flavor shots.
Are all Dunkin flavor shots caffeinated?
Dunkin’ flavor shots don’t contain any caffeine.
Conclusion
With six flavor shots to choose from, Dunkin makes it easy to change up plain coffee without turning the order into something overly sweet.
Each flavor shot has its own use, and I keep coming back to the ones that stay closest to the coffee.
My two personal favorites are hazelnut and blueberry, for very different reasons: one tastes warm and nutty, the other is brighter and a little more playful!
