If you make a purchase using our provided links, we may receive a commission. Learn more here.
I still remember the first time I walked up to a Dutch Bros and asked the Broista what he recommended.
I said I usually go for coffee with cream, and he pointed me to the Annihilator, one of the chain’s most popular drinks.
The first sip made it obvious why people keep ordering this macadamia nut and chocolate coffee.
The flavor came through fast, and it gave me enough caffeine to pay attention right away.
What makes the Annihilator from Dutch Bros so popular?
Dutch Bros has built a whole menu of Dutch Classics, and the Annihilator is one of the better-known ones.
It’s made with half-and-half, espresso, and chocolate macadamia nut syrup, so the first thing I notice is the creamy body before the nutty chocolate flavor settles in.
That combination makes it an easy drink to hand to someone who wants something familiar but a little richer.
Not to mention, it comes hot, iced, or blended – all of which are delicious.
Whats does it taste like?
On my first sip of a hot, or toasted, Annihilator, the froth stood out first. It felt creamier than standard milk foam and gave the drink a softer mouthfeel.
The flavor profile is nutty, chocolatey, with the robust espresso and soft milk flavors rounding it all out perfectly.
The chocolate and macadamia nut syrup keep the espresso in check, so it never tastes thin or overly bitter to me.
How does it look?
Visually, the Annihilator still reads as coffee with cream whether it’s iced or toasted.
The toasted version comes with frothed milk, which is standard for a hot coffee drink.
The Dutch Bros iced coffee drink version comes in a clear cup, with a monotone tan color throughout.
The blended version of the Annihilator is a blended tan color, topped with whip.
What’s in the Annihilator at Dutch Bros?
The Dutch Bros Annihilator includes the Dutch Classic version and the cold brew variant. Both use the same flavor base, but the coffee part changes.
The Dutch Classic version comes with espresso shots, while the cold brew comes with cold brew.
I occasionally order the nitro-infused version instead of the regular one because it feels especially smooth and velvety.
Ingredients list
Here are the Dutch Bros Annihilator ingredients:
Caffeine
Since small and medium cups have the same amount of espresso shots, they have the same caffeine content.
Calorie breakdown
Calories vary a lot by size and build, and the listed range can run from 180 to 930 calories.
Dutch Bros Annihilator Nutritional Breakdown (Iced - Without Modification) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Nutrients | Small | Medium | Large |
Calories | 280 | 420 | 500 |
Total Fat | 15G | 27G | 34G |
Total Carbs | 28G | 32G | 36G |
Sugar | 26G | 30G | 32G |
Protein | 6G | 10G | 12G |
Dutch Bros Annihilator Nutritional Breakdown (Hot - Without Modification) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Nutrients | Small | Medium | Large |
Calories | 420 | 560 | 640 |
Total Fat | 27G | 39G | 46G |
Total Carbs | 32G | 36G | 40G |
Sugar | 30G | 34G | 36G |
Protein | 10G | 14G | 17G |
Dutch Bros Annihilator Nutritional Breakdown (Blended - Without Modification) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Nutrients | Small | Medium | Large |
Calories | 520 | 720 | 930 |
Total Fat | 15G | 21G | 28G |
Total Carbs | 82G | 112G | 143G |
Sugar | 77G | 105G | 134G |
Protein | 11G | 17G | 23G |
5 Ways to order the Annihilator
At Dutch Bros, there are plenty of ways to customize this drink.
Here are some of the most popular modifications:
1. Annihilator with Soft Top
A soft top is a lightly whipped sweet cream that is poured on any hot or iced menu option.
It reminds me of a sweeter, thicker version of a regular topping. soft top Dutch Bros’ version of cold foam (but way better, if I’m honest).
What I like about it is that it sits on top of the drink at first, then melts into the sip so you keep tasting it as you go.
The Annihilator tastes amazing with the soft top, accentuating the creaminess from the half-and-half.
2. Sugar-Free Annihilator
I’ve swapped in the sugar-free chocolate macadamia nut syrup more than once when I wanted a lower-sugar Annihilator.
3. Dairy-Free Annihilator
The drink is built with half-and-half by default, but it also works with alternative milks.
Dutch Bros currently offers three non-dairy milk: coconut, almond, and oat milk.
I tend to go with coconut milk or oat milk for this one.
Coconut plays nicely with the macadamia flavor, while oat milk brings a creaminess that feels closer to half-and-half.
4. "Picture Perfect" Annihilator
The “Picture-Perfect” version adds a richer finish, and it looks as dressed up as it tastes.
Picture-Perfect means the drink is made with chocolate and caramel sauce drizzled around it, with whip on top.
It instantly transforms the Annihilator into a candy-bar-like drink.
5. White Coffee Annihilator
Instead of regular coffee beans, this cup uses Dutch Bros white coffee beans.
Those beans are roasted for less time and at a lower temperature than darker roasts.
That changes the flavor a bit and pushes the nutty notes forward.
How to easily make the Annihilator at home
I love the Annihilator, but I’m not always near a Dutch Bros.
So I put together this copycat recipe for the days I want one at home:
What you’ll need
Instructions
- 1For the hot version, start frothing your milk. Skip this step for the iced version.
- 2Add the syrup to the frothed milk. If making an iced version, directly add the syrup to the milk.
- 3Prepare a shot of espresso in your espresso maker. For the iced version, prepare cold brew ahead.
- 4Then, add the coffee to the serving glass.
- 5Then, add the milk mixture and the drink is ready. For the cold version, mix the coffee and milk in the glass.
FAQs
How much is Dutch Bros Annihilator?
The Dutch Bros Annihilator starts at $3.00 for a small, $3.50 for a medium, and $4.50 for a large.
How many espresso shots are in a Dutch Bros Annihilator?
That same shot count carries over in the small and medium, then jumps to four in the large.
How much sugar is in the Annihilator?
The amount of sugar depends on the size and version you order, but it ranges from 23 grams to 134 grams.
Is the Annihilator vegan?
The Dutch Bros Annihilator can be adapted with a plant-based milk instead of breve.
What is the strongest drink at Dutch Bros?
The strongest drink at Dutch Bros is the 9-1-1, which contains six shots of espresso.
Try one today!
I’ve noticed a lot of people end up liking the Annihilator.
I’ve recommended it enough that it has become a go-to for some people when they visit Dutch Bros.
I still come back to this sweet, bold, nutty drink often enough that it has earned a spot in my routine.
