Do Dunkin‘ Coolattas Have Caffeine in 2024? The Complete Guide
As a self-proclaimed coffee addict and daily Dunkin‘ customer, I‘ve enjoyed my fair share of delicious Coolattas. These creamy frozen coffee drinks have been on the Dunkin‘ menu for over 25 years! But as a caffeine-lover, I‘ve wondered – are Coolattas packing that coffee stimulant I crave?
Let‘s dive into the complete guide on Dunkin‘ Coolattas and caffeine.
A Brief History of Dunkin‘ Coolattas
Dunkin‘ first launched Coolattas in 1997, tapping into the rising popularity of blended ice coffee drinks. Over the past 25+ years, they‘ve grown into one of Dunkin‘s most iconic menu items.
In 2021 alone, over 200 million Coolattas were sold across Dunkin‘s 9,000+ US locations. The creamy ice-blended beverages now come in various flavors like Mocha, Caramel, and Butter Pecan.
As a daily Dunkin‘ goer, I can vouch for the addictive flavor of Coolattas! But I‘ve always wondered – is that burst of coffee flavor delivering any actual caffeine kick?
What‘s Actually in a Dunkin‘ Coolatta?
Coolattas contain two main ingredients:
Frozen coffee base: A proprietary blend of water, sugar, coffee concentrate, coffee extracts, natural and artificial flavors, and caramel color.
Light cream: A blend of milk, cream, and stabilizing agents.
The coffee concentrate and coffee extracts in the blend provide the caffeine, utilizing Dunkin‘s 100% Arabica bean coffee.
Arabica coffee beans contain about 1.2% caffeine on average, compared to robusta beans with 2.2% caffeine. As a major coffee retailer, Dunkin‘ has opted for the smoother, more aromatic Arabica beans.
Just How Much Caffeine is in a Coolatta?
Here is the actual caffeine content for a standard medium (24 oz) Dunkin‘ Coolatta:
- 23 mg caffeine
That‘s not a huge amount of caffeine, compared to other Dunkin‘ coffee drinks:
| Drink | Size | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Dunkin‘ Coolatta | 24oz | 23mg |
| Dunkin‘ Iced Coffee | 24oz | 178mg |
| Dunkin‘ Hot Coffee | 14oz | 210mg |
| Dunkin‘ Espresso Shot | 1oz | 75mg |
As you can see, a medium hot coffee has nearly 8 times more caffeine than a Coolatta!
From my experience drinking them daily, I can confirm that Coolattas provide just a light caffeine boost rather than a big jolt. But the lower caffeine means you can enjoy that sweet coffee-flavored taste all day long without worrying about the jitters!
Do All Coolatta Flavors Have Caffeine?
Yep, every Dunkin‘ Coolatta flavor contains caffeine since they all start with the same frozen coffee base. Flavors include:
- Blue Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Vanilla Bean
- Mocha
- Caramel
- Cookies & Cream
No matter which tantalizing flavor you choose, that coffee extract means you‘re getting a bit of stimulant. Of course levels can vary slightly by size.
If you want to go creamier, you can also add a flavored swirl like hazelnut or caramel. But watch out – extra syrup means extra sugar!
Health Impact of Caffeine vs. Sugar in Coolattas
While the caffeine content in a Coolatta is low, the sugar levels are no joke. A medium size contains a whopping 73 grams of sugar.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams of sugar per day for women and 36 grams for men. Guzzling a Coolatta means you‘re taking in almost 3 days worth of sugar in one drink!
Too much caffeine can cause jitters, insomnia, and anxiety. But excessive sugar is even more dangerous – leading to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
As a Coolatta lover, I still enjoy treating myself to one occasionally. But opting for a small size or sugar-free flavor is a healthier way to indulge that frozen coffee craving.
Caffeine-Free Coolatta Alternatives
If you want to sip on a Coolatta-style drink without the caffeine kick, Dunkin‘ has several options:
- Iced Chai – Available caffeine-free upon request
- Frozen Hot Chocolate – No coffee added
- Frozen Lemonade – A citrusy, refreshing choice
You can also order any Coolatta as decaf. So there are definitely ways to enjoy Dunkin‘s frozen blends while avoiding caffeine.
The Bottom Line
Dunkin‘ Coolattas contain a small amount of caffeine from added coffee extracts. All flavors are lightly caffeinated. While the caffeine content is low, the high sugar levels make moderation important.
As a daily Dunkin‘ customer and Coolatta connoisseur, I still enjoy treating myself to these sweet blended coffee drinks. But opting for smaller sizes or sugar-free flavors allows me to sip that Coolatta flavor I love without overloading on caffeine or sugar!
