Tim Hortons has been serving premium coffee since 1964. Over the years, the Double Double coffee has become the chain’s most famous menu item, and for good reason.
The Double Double has been dubbed the "perfect cup of coffee" by customers all over the world, but what exactly is it? What makes this Canadian classic so special?
Is it possible to make a Double Double coffee at home?
I’ll provide the answers to these questions and more in this complete guide to the Tim Hortons Double Double.[1]
What Exactly Is A Double Double At Tim Hortons?
While the name may not suggest simplicity, a Double Double is actually very straightforward. It’s for coffee drinkers who just want a no-frills beverage focused on coffee, milk, and sweetener.
Created with a base of Tim Hortons coffee and an added two shots of cream and two shots of sugar, this is the ideal drink if you’re looking for something sweet, creamy, and caffeinated.
Ingredients
There are just 3 ingredients in the Tim Hortons Double Double: milk (cream), sugar, and Tim Horton’s original brewed coffee (water and coffee grounds).
The sweetness is all thanks to the addition of plain white sugar, while the rich, creamy nature of the drink comes from the creamer blend.
This blend is made up of milk, cream, dextrose, sodium citrate, disodium phosphate, carrageenan, and locust bean gum.
Taste & Flavor
The original blend at Tims is made from 100% Arabica beans. Arabica tends to be smooth and sweet with hints of chocolate and caramel and sometimes even notes of fruitiness.
These beans are grown in South America, specifically in Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Arabica, compared to Robusta beans, has a much sweeter and less bitter coffee flavor.
That means you can enjoy it without adding any additional flavor - aside from the two shots of sugar and two shots of creamer, that is.
Speaking of the two servings of sugar and cream, you can expect your Double Double to be sweet and creamy. However, if you don't have a sweet tooth, this certainly isn't the drink for you.
Appearance
Because of the added cream, the Double Double is extremely light in color. It’s much lighter than black coffee, and it will become even lighter if you choose to add more cream or milk.
In terms of size, that comes down to your personal preference. Tim Hortons offers a variety of sizes, ranging from a small 10-ounce to an extra large 24-ounce.
Keep in mind that a 10oz Double Double will taste much sweeter and creamier than a larger option.
Tim Hortons Double Double Nutritional Facts
Unfortunately, the Double Double can't be deemed nutritious or healthy. Don't trust anyone that tells you otherwise! Just take a look at the official nutrition facts, and you'll see exactly what I mean.[2]
Generally speaking, adding sugar and cream to any coffee isn’t the healthiest way to go.
Black coffee is completely fine, and countless sources agree that consuming caffeine regularly has several long-term health benefits.
For the sake of keeping things simple, let’s take a closer look at the nutritional value of the standard medium (425 ml) Double Double coffee.
Caffeine Content
If you're going for the original fresh-brewed medium roast at Tim Hortons, there are just over 200 mg of caffeine.
The dark roast is similar in terms of caffeine, and the same goes for light roasted brewed coffee.
For an extra caffeine boost, some Tims fans order a strong shot of espresso in the Double Double. Each additional espresso shot is an additional 64 mg of caffeine.
On the flip side, you can ask for a decaf version, and the barista will give you the same drink, just with decaf coffee instead.
Sugar Content
Compared to a Coca-Cola, there's actually less sugar in a Tim Hortons Double Double coffee, but that doesn't mean that it's light on sugar.
In fact, the coffee flavor is very subtle, all thanks to the two servings of sugar in each cup.
On average, each Double Double contains 22 grams of sugar from both the sweetener and cream, which is more than half the maximum recommendation for daily intake.
The American Heart Association recommends that men have no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day.
Women are the unlucky ones in this scenario, with a lower recommendation of just 25 grams.[3]
Fat Content
In terms of saturated fat, there are about 9 grams in the Double Double, but this will depend on how much cream the barista uses.
We’re recommended to stay below 13 grams of saturated fat, so keep that in mind if you’re trying to cut back on calories.
Food contributes to most of our fat intake, so it’s best to avoid too much cream.
If you’re willing to forego the creaminess, ask for a non-dairy milk alternative, which will be much lower in fat as well as calories.
Calorie Content
Speaking of calories, the Double Double really isn’t all that bad. Without asking for any syrups or additional flavors, you’re looking at 230 calories per cup.
Compared to fancy Starbucks drinks and delicious sweet treats, 230 calories is fairly low. To put things into perspective, a Frappuccino at Starbucks is close to 400 calories.
Ordering Tips & Tasty Customizations
Unless your drink of choice is a plain black coffee, the Double Double is one of the easiest items to order on the Tim Hortons menu.
Simply ask the Tim Hortons employee for a "Double Double," and you'll be handed a piping hot cup of coffee with two servings of cream and two servings of sugar already mixed into the cup.
Even if you're ordering coffee from Starbucks or Dunkin', most baristas will know exactly what to do if you ask, "Can I have a Double Double?"
Here are a few more ordering tips to make the most of any Tim Horton’s Double Double:
How To Make a Tim Hortons Double Double At Home
Making a Tim Hortons Double Double at home is actually so simple. You don't need any fancy coffee-making equipment besides a brewer, a spoon, and of course, your favorite mug.
If you want your copycat Double Double to taste like the real thing, it’s best to use 100% Arabica coffee beans. It’s even better if those beans are directly from Tim Hortons.
You can easily buy Tim Horton’s beans or Keurig K cup pods (Double Double K cups) at local grocery stores.
Want to save time, effort, and money by making a Double Double coffee at home? Here’s what to do:
- 1Start by brewing 2 cups of coffee using your brewing method of choice. Tims uses standard drip brewing, but you can use a French press, Moka pot, or pod-style machine.
- 2Once the coffee is ready, add 2 tablespoons of sugar per 1 cup (mug) of coffee. Feel free to use another type of sweetener, like Stevia or honey.
- 3Stir the beverage until the sweetener dissolves completely.
- 4Add 2 tablespoons of cream or coffee creamer. You can use any type of milk or cream, even a non-dairy option.
- 5Stir once again, sip, and enjoy! Serve to friends to share the love.
Related Tim Hortons Double Double Questions
How much is a Tim Hortons Double Double?
On average, Tim Horton’s Double Double costs roughly $2. The official cost depends on where you’re ordering from, but you won’t have to dish out too much cash for this one.
Is the Tim Hortons Double Double vegan?
No, Tim Horton’s Double Double is not vegan. The cream used in this beverage is an animal byproduct, but if you prefer yours to be vegan, feel free to ask for a non-dairy alternative.
How much cream is in Tim Horton’s Double Double?
There are two shots of cream in the Double Double. According to Tims, the medium size contains 2 tablespoons of cream, which is equivalent to about 24 grams.
How much sugar is in a Double Double coffee?
The medium Tim Hortons Double Double coffee contains 22 grams of sugar. Keep in mind that if you choose to add additional flavors, this number will increase.
Is a Tim Hortons Double Double only available in Canada?
No, the Double Double is not just available in Canada! No matter where you are in the world, you can order a Double Double coffee from Tim Hortons.
Conclusion
The University of British Columbia says it perfectly: “The double-double is more than just a cup of coffee; it is a cultural artifact that has been molded into its current form by myriad historical and cultural forces.”[4]
The Tim Hortons Double Double is simply fresh-brewed coffee with cream and sugar, but it has made quite an impression on the world as an energy boost we all love.
The Arabica coffee flavor is smooth and rich, and you can easily sweeten things up even more by adding a flavor like French Vanilla.
References:
1. https://timhortons.co.th/product/double-double/
2. https://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/medium-double-double-coffee-367216394
3. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/how-much-sugar-is-too-much
4.https://wiki.ubc.ca/Course:HIST104/Double_Double#:~:text=The%20Double%2Ddouble%20is%20a,myriad%20historical%20and%20cultural%20forces.
