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The first time I pulled into the Dutch Bros drive-thru, I almost ordered like I was at Starbucks and asked for a Grande Creme Frappuccino.
There is usually a tiny pause on the other end, and that is the moment you realize the lingo matters.
It happens. I have done it too.
If you want the drink you actually had in mind, this guide should make the order feel a lot less awkward.
Key takeaways
How to order Dutch Bros online
When I already know my order, I like using the Dutch Bros App and skipping the speaker-line decision stress.
I use the app when I already know what I want, and the points or free drink perks are a nice bonus.
Once installed, you can see all of your DB purchases and enter in your payment info so you can pay just by scanning your app.
You can order ahead online by picking your drink and paying with PayPal, debit, or credit card, which is how I use it when I do not want to think too hard at the speaker.
How to order at Dutch Bros in 8 simple steps
Whether you want to order keto at Dutch Bros or just get the exact mix you have in mind, the goal is the same: make the drink match what you pictured when you got in line.
1. Pick a drink size
Starbucks has Tall, Grande, and Venti sizes, but at Dutch Bros you are usually choosing Small, Medium, or Large. That part is simple enough.
I always say the size first. It helps the broista grab the right cup while I finish the rest of the order.
One catch is that the cup size changes depending on whether you order hot, iced, or blended.
Hot drinks
Cold drinks
Blended drinks
Tips From A Barista
- The ounces are different from hot to cold as cold drinks need to account for the ice taking up space in the cup. You still get the same amount of liquid in your drink, there just needs to be room for ice, too
2. Pick a drink type
For me, that usually becomes the first decision, because the temperature changes the whole mood of the drink.
Coffee drinks are usually served hot, but I have gone through plenty of blended espresso drinks when I wanted something colder, thicker, and slower to sip than a standard iced order.
If you want regular coffee, know that Dutch Bros does not serve drip coffee, so an Americano is usually the closest order.
There are other hot drinks on the menu, like Dutch Bros teas and their hot chocolate, which is what I reach for when I want something straightforward.
Their iced drinks are simple: they are basically the hot beverages poured over ice, so the drink stays familiar but feels lighter and colder.
Blended drinks are the original drinks mixed with ice, like Dutch Bros smoothies and Frappuccinos, and they usually feel thicker right away.
3. Pick a flavor combo
This is where the menu starts to feel fun. I like that there are enough flavored syrups that I do not end up ordering the same drink twice.
A Dutch Bros cold brew cold or blended with whip and sprinkles feels like the sort of order I only make when I am in a treat mood.
Or try non-espresso iced drinks like Dutch Bros lemonades or Dutch Soda when you want something more soda-like than coffee-heavy.
You can order something regular or decaf, sweet or bitter, plain or complex, which is part of why the menu works for so many different coffee habits.
Tip From A Barista
- Not sure where to start? I recommend either looking up the menu online beforehand, looking up secret menu flavor combos, or asking your broista before you order
4. Add modifiers
Dutch Bros is pretty flexible about custom orders. I am used to asking for an extra shot, extra creaminess, or extra sweetness, and they usually just build it that way.
White Coffee: Try white coffee instead of their regular beans! Dutch Bros white coffee is described as having higher caffeine and a slightly nutty taste, which changes the drink more than I expected the first time I tried it.
Whipped Cream: You can order a whip straw, which means the straw gets covered in whipped cream. It sounds small, but it makes the drink feel more like a dessert.
Milk: This shop has more milk options than most places I have been to: 2% dairy, almond, oat, soy, coconut milk, and more.
Dub Shot: A double shot of espresso that gives regular drinks a noticeably stronger kick.
Extra: Most of the coffee world measures flavor by pump, but here it is often by the scoop. When I want more of a flavor, I just ask for an extra scoop and let them build from there.
Tip From A Barista
- Have a little fun by ordering yours "Picture Perfect," where they add chocolate and caramel sauce around the cup and over a big dollop of whip!
- "Parfait Style" is where they layer your drink with whip!
5. Add syrups & sauces
The DB coffee shop uses Torani products for many of its flavor combinations.
They usually offer about 30 flavors at a time, and seasonal flavors rotate in and out as well.
Many of those flavors also come in sugar-free versions.
Here are some of the most common syrups:
Sauces:
6. Add toppings
To finish off your drink, you may want to add Dutch Bros toppings. My nieces and nephews seem to love the Birthday Sprinkles, so that one always stands out to me.
7. Collect your sticker
Before I leave the drive-thru, I always make sure to grab the sticker.
They offer monthly and special stickers, and a new one is usually released on the first Wednesday of each month.
I have started collecting them on my laptop and water bottle, and I am running out of space faster than I expected.
Before you go to Dutch Bros (Important tips to know)
If you are not used to it, the friendliness stands out immediately. The whole exchange feels more relaxed than a lot of drive-thrus.
I am the kind of person who reads the online menu and even scrolls Yelp photos before I order anything, especially if I do not already know the lingo.
My first visit was one of those moments where I had done enough research to feel prepared and still had no idea what I actually wanted.
I asked my broista what she recommended, and she immediately asked what flavors I usually like before suggesting a few options, like the Caramelizer, Golden Eagle, and Vanilla Chai.
That back-and-forth took the pressure off right away.
By the time I ordered, the whole visit felt easy.
Tip From A Barista
- Try looking up the menu online or searching for popular flavor combos beforehand to get inspo!
FAQs
How do you order white coffee at Dutch Bros?
To order white coffee at Dutch Bros, ask for it in the drink you want. For example, “I’d like a Small Kicker with White Coffee.”
How do you order healthy at Dutch Bros?
If you want a healthy drink at Dutch Bros, drink, SF flavor combinations and decaf are easy options when you want the flavor without as much caffeine, especially if you are ordering for kids.
How do you order sugar-free at Dutch Bros?
Ordering SF is easy: “I’d like to order a Large Sugar-Free Dutch Bros Caramelizer.”
Can I call Dutch Bros and order?
You do have to place the order in person or ahead on the app.
What is the most popular item at Dutch Bros?
Fans often point to the White Chocolate Annihilator, Cold Mixture Breve, French Toast Frost, Dutch Frost, and the Vanilla Bean Latte as some of the most talked-about Dutch Bros drinks.
