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The first time I tried Dutch Bros’ soft top, I noticed it changed the drink more than I expected for something sitting on top.
It adds a light sweetness and a creamier finish, so a familiar drink feels a little different without turning heavy.
What is it, and why do I keep choosing it over regular whipped cream?
Here’s the ingredient breakdown, plus a homemade soft top recipe for when I want that finish at home.
Key takeaways
What exactly is a Dutch Bros soft top?
The Dutch Bros Soft Top is a creamy cross between a cold foam and marshmallow fluff that adds sweetness and a creamier texture to DB drinks.
It’s made by whipping buttermilk, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract or vanilla syrup together until fluffy.
Taste
Dutch Bros’ sweet drink topper is sweet and fluffy with an airy texture. I think of it like a thicker meringue with a subtle sweetness and underlying notes of vanilla.
If I had to describe it, I’d say it tastes like the cream filling inside of a Twinkie.
The result is mildly sweet and pourable, with enough lightness to sit on drinks from espresso to Rebel energy drinks.
On coffee, it softens the edge of the espresso without covering it up, which is why I reach for it over heavier toppings.
The first sip feels creamier right away, but the texture stays light instead of making the drink dense.
Appearance
A soft top coffee topping looks like a little 2 oz. cloud of soft-yet-dense cream with a fluffy, white appearance.
Unlike whipped cream, it is thick enough to hold its shape on top and carry drizzles, like on the Dutch Bros Golden Eagle .
That white layer looks especially sharp against dark espresso or bright fruit drinks, and it usually makes me pause before stirring.
Nutritional information
The sweet soft topping comes in at around 50 calories per serving, 4 grams of fat, and 2 grams of sugar.
While it may not make for a Dutch Bros keto drink, it’s actually not too bad in terms of sugar.
Because most of the calories come from fat, I treat it as a rich topping rather than something I add casually.
Used once in a while, it fits easily into an ordinary treat order without changing the rest of the drink much.
What drinks does a soft top go best with?
It works better with some drinks than others.
Here are some of my personal favorites:
My number one absolute favorite drink to add a soft top to is the Pumpkin Pie Cold Brew, as it tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving with the creaminess of the soft top!
A regular Nitro Cold Brew with pumpkin sauce is one pairing I keep coming back to because the soft top rounds out the spice and cold brew bitterness.
My second-favorite drink to add the soft top to is the Kicker!
The Irish cream syrup and espresso already feel smooth, and the vanilla soft top keeps that same flavor profile going on top.
Barista HQ Tip
It is possible to try the soft top with every item on the Dutch Bros menu, so I’ve gotten a bit experimental...with discretion. Whether it’s a frost, iced or hot coffee, or a Rebel, it tastes amazing.
How to make a DB soft top at home
It took me a long time to get the soft top dense enough to sit on the drink instead of sinking into it.
Once I paid more attention to texture, the homemade version started behaving the way I wanted.
This copycat Dutch Bros soft top recipe is what I make when I want the same finish at home.
Equipment:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- 1Place jug or pitcher into the freezer for a few minutes beforehand until cold.
- 2Put ingredients into jug or blender.
- 3If using a milk frother, froth the mixture for 30 seconds or so, keeping frother just below the surface to create that foam. If using a blender, blend at medium speed for 30 seconds to a minute until foamy.
- 4The desired effect is for the mixture to have soft loose peaks and to have doubled in size.
- 5Prepare coffee or other drink of choice.
- 6The final step is to carefully spoon the mixture on top in a thick layer.
- 7Place any excess into a mixing bowl or other container and place it in the fridge to chill. I recommend using it the same day to avoid the whip from becoming too thin.
Tips:
FAQs
Can you buy Dutch Bros soft top for home use?
Yes, you can buy Dutch Bros soft top for home use. The version linked through Rich’s is the one to look for if you want something close to the shop topping.
Is there an upcharge for adding Dutch Bros soft top?
There is usually an upcharge when you add it to a drink, and the price can vary by location.
Does Starbucks have a soft top?
Starbucks does not have a direct soft top equivalent, but it does offer cold foam.Starbucks cold brew, That is the closest comparison, and Starbucks has paired it with nitro coffee or iced lattes.
Try adding a soft top to your drink!
For a sweeter espresso drink or a creamier Rebel energy drink, soft top is the Dutch Bros customization I keep coming back to.
It adds flavor, texture, and a cleaner-looking finish without taking over the drink.
