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The first time I heard a Double Double described as the “perfect cup of coffee,” I expected something much heavier and sweeter than it actually was. What surprised me was how familiar it tasted: still unmistakably coffee, just softened by the cream and sugar enough to feel rounded instead of sharp.
I’ll provide the answers to these questions and more in this complete guide to the Tim Hortons Double Double.
Key takeaways
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.
Made with Tim Hortons coffee plus two shots of cream and two shots of sugar, it is the kind of drink I reach for when I want something sweet, creamy, and still clearly coffee.
What makes it easy to like is that there is nothing to decode. I do not have to be in the mood for a dessert-style order, but it still scratches that sweet coffee craving without feeling complicated or fussy.
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 comes from plain white sugar, while the creamy feel comes from the creamer blend.
That blend includes milk, cream, dextrose, sodium citrate, disodium phosphate, carrageenan, and locust bean gum.
I like that it feels indulgent without tipping into a full dessert drink. It is simple, sweet, and a lot less fussy than most chain coffee specials, which is probably part of why it appeals to so many people.
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, including Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Compared with Robusta, Arabica usually tastes sweeter and less bitter in the cup.
That helps explain why the coffee still tastes approachable before you even get to the cream and sugar.
With those additions, the first sip reads as sweet and creamy more than aggressively coffee-forward. If you do not like sugary coffee, it can feel like a lot pretty quickly.
Appearance
The cream also lightens the look of the cup before you even taste it. It is much paler than black coffee, and it gets even lighter if you add more cream or milk.
Size makes a bigger difference than I expected. Tim Hortons offers several options, from a small 10-ounce cup to an extra large 24-ounce one, so the same drink can feel noticeably different from one order to the next.
A 10-ounce Double Double tastes more concentrated to me, with the sweetness and cream showing up faster in each sip than they do in a larger cup.
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.
Adding sugar and cream pushes it away from a lighter everyday order, even though the base drink is still just coffee.
Black coffee is still the simplest version, and caffeine is one of the main reasons people stick with it.
For a simple comparison, I am looking at the standard medium 425 ml Double Double coffee here.
Caffeine content
The original fresh-brewed medium roast at Tim Hortons is listed at just over 200 mg of caffeine.
The dark roast is similar, and brewed light roast sits in the same range, so the roast choice does not change the caffeine story much.
If you want more caffeine, some Tims fans add a shot of espresso. Each additional espresso shot adds 64 mg of caffeine, which is a noticeable bump.
If you want the same basic drink without caffeine, you can order decaf and keep everything else the same.
Sugar content
It does have less sugar than a Coca-Cola, but that does not make it a low-sugar drink by coffee standards.
What stands out to me is how the sugar softens the coffee flavor. The drink tastes more rounded than bold, and the coffee takes a back seat.
A medium Double Double has about 22 grams of sugar from the sweetener and cream, so the sweetness adds up faster than it feels at first sip.
The American Heart Association suggests a daily limit of 36 grams of added sugar for men.
Women are the unlucky ones in this scenario, with a lower recommendation of just 25 grams.
Fat content
Saturated fat is another thing to keep in mind. There are about 9 grams in a Double Double, although that can vary with the amount of cream used.
That puts a noticeable dent in the recommended daily limit of 13 grams.
Most of the fat in this drink comes from the cream, so using less of it changes the profile pretty quickly.
If you want to cut back on fat and calories, a non-dairy milk alternative usually lowers both, though it also changes the mouthfeel.
Calorie Content
Without syrups or extra flavors, the Double Double comes in at about 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
On the Tim Hortons menu, the Double Double is one of the easiest drinks to order.
I usually just ask for a “Double Double,” and it comes back already mixed with cream and sugar.
Here are a few more ordering notes for a Tim Hortons Double Double:
How to make a Tim Hortons Double Double at home
Making a Tim Hortons Double Double at home is straightforward. At home, I only need a brewer, a spoon, and a favorite mug to get close.
For a closer copycat flavor, I would start with Arabica beans and a Tim Hortons-style blend if you can get one.
You can often buy Tim Hortons beans or Keurig K-Cup pods at grocery stores, depending on where you shop.
At home, I keep it to the same simple formula: brewed coffee, cream, and sugar.
- 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.
FAQs
How much is a Tim Hortons Double Double?
A Tim Hortons Double Double often lands around $2, although the exact price depends on where you order it.
Is the Tim Hortons Double Double vegan?
No, the Double Double is not vegan. The cream is an animal product, so I only think of it as vegan-friendly if you swap in a non-dairy alternative.
How much cream is in Tim Horton’s Double Double?
According to Tim Hortons, a medium Double Double uses two tablespoons of cream, which they list at about 24 grams.
How much sugar is in a Double Double coffee?
A medium Tim Hortons Double Double typically has 22 grams of sugar. If you add flavors, that number goes up.
Is a Tim Hortons Double Double only available in Canada?
The Double Double is not limited to Canada. In many places with Tim Hortons locations, you can order one there too.
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.”
It is still just fresh-brewed coffee with cream and sugar, but that simple formula is exactly why it has stuck around as a familiar energy boost for so many people.
