Dunkin's Iced Coffees, Ranked Worst To Best

11. Iced matcha latte

If you're not a fan of matcha, the iced matcha latte with an espresso shot is likely the least appealing option on the menu. Personally, I prefer a well-blended hot matcha latte, and while the iced version can be refreshing on a scorching day, I must confess it’s not my first choice, even when prepared perfectly. The Dunkin' iced green tea matcha latte offers a nice balance of refreshing and earthy flavors, but adding espresso muddles the taste, pushing this drink to the bottom of my list. Additionally, the matcha powder tends to settle at the bottom, requiring a few extra stirs for optimal flavor.

The vibrant green of the matcha latte is also dulled by the espresso addition. While it’s true that visually unappealing food can still be tasty, the pea-green color of this iced drink doesn’t enhance its appeal. Overall, it’s a decent beverage, but it pales in comparison to the invigorating caffeine kick and rich espresso flavors found in other iced coffees, or the smooth and creamy experience of an iced matcha latte without the espresso.

10. Iced Americano

If you're a fan of espresso, an iced Americano is a great choice that’s lighter than some of the sweeter or creamier drinks on the menu. It combines espresso shots with water poured over ice. The Americano originated during World War II when American soldiers sought a milder espresso and diluted it to reduce its intensity. Similar to coffee, you can enhance it with sugar and milk or cream.

Since it begins as espresso but transforms into a milder drink due to the added water, the roasting and preparation methods are crucial. Dunkin's blend is smooth, though not as silky as other comparable options, particularly their cold brew. However, it still retains the bold flavor of espresso, which is important to consider when choosing between the cold brew and the stronger Americano. The strength of the espresso significantly impacts the overall intensity of the Americano.

If you plan to sweeten your Americano, it's advisable to request a pump from your barista, as the iced Americano is served cold. Adding cane sugar directly will not dissolve, resulting in gritty sugar floating in your drink before settling at the bottom. Unfortunately, Dunkin' only offers alternative sweeteners in packet form.

9. Iced macchiato

An iced macchiato features espresso shots combined with ice, then layered over cold milk. In contrast, the hot version includes foamed milk, which adds a significant amount of air that the iced variant lacks. Dunkin's iced macchiato is visually appealing, and while it remains a delicious beverage, it doesn't possess the frothy texture of a traditional macchiato. For the most authentic experience, it's best to stick with hot macchiato orders.

If you sip this iced coffee through a straw, you won't experience the intended blend of espresso, ice, and milk. Instead, you'll taste the drink in distinct layers. You might feel inclined to stir it, but doing so transforms it into a fancy latte, which requires extra attention from the barista—making it a less-than-ideal coffee order. Ultimately, you'll end up with a similar result. If that's what you prefer, you might as well just order a latte.

8. Frozen coffee

A frozen coffee is similar to a traditional iced coffee, designed for particularly hot days. It’s blended with ice until it reaches a slushy texture, while still offering the same flavor choices as regular iced coffee. It tends to be a bit sweeter than iced coffee, even when you factor in added sugar, likely due to the use of coffee syrup in the frozen version, which has a distinct taste compared to regular coffee, espresso, or cold brew.

The slushy texture is what makes this beverage so invigorating, especially in scorching weather, but it also means it melts quickly and can become diluted. If you’re enjoying it under the summer sun, you’ll need to stir it often to maintain a consistent texture throughout. Otherwise, you might end up with some flavorful sections that require a spoon to consume, alongside parts that are nearly just water. I found this drink enjoyable, but for a more uniform experience, I prefer an iced beverage made with coffee, espresso, or cold brew.

7. Frozen chocolate

Indulge in a frosty chocolaty beverage crafted with milk and flavoring at Dunkin's frozen chocolate. For an extra caffeine boost, you can add a shot of espresso. The drink begins with a swirl of chocolate lining the cup, followed by the icy chocolate blend and espresso if you choose, topped off with whipped cream and additional chocolate drizzle. I opted for mine without whipped cream, as I find it too sweet. If you enjoy sugary beverages, this is one of the sweetest options available at Dunkin'. You can also customize it with various flavors like butter pecan swirl, caramel swirl, french vanilla swirl, or the classic original.

Due to its rich frozen chocolate base, this drink may not be the best choice for a morning pick-me-up if you're seeking a straightforward coffee to kickstart your day. While the espresso shot transforms it into an iced mocha, the sugar rush followed by a crash might leave you feeling less invigorated than anticipated. Additionally, it has a high calorie count, ranging from 500 to 900 calories depending on the size. It’s delicious, but even a small size can be challenging to finish unless you have a strong preference for sweet drinks.

6. Iced latte

You can enjoy an iced latte by combining espresso with milk over ice. This is a great option for a coffee-based beverage that delivers a robust espresso kick to meet your caffeine cravings, along with creamy milk for a smooth finish. Depending on your flavor choice, these drinks can be quite sweet. Flavors like butter pecan swirl, caramel craze, caramel swirl, and cocoa mocha are among the sweetest. French vanilla swirl is a bit milder but still noticeably sweeter than a regular latte without added sweeteners. The French vanilla swirl iced latte is my preferred choice when I want a touch of extra flavor without the risk of a sugar crash.

Dunkin' offers a range of milk and sweetener options, allowing you to personalize your iced latte. The menu includes whole milk, skim milk, almond milk, and oat milk, and you can even mix different milk types to create your own blend. While they don’t offer 2% milk, a combination of half whole milk and half skim milk in your iced latte provides a similar creaminess.

5. Iced signature latte

If you're looking to elevate your coffee experience, try an iced signature latte. This delightful drink features whipped cream and various toppings, making your iced latte even sweeter and more indulgent. The medium size includes two shots of espresso, ensuring a robust coffee flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the toppings and whipped cream. You can customize your order by requesting more or fewer shots of espresso. While I don't order this often, I always savor it when I do treat myself. If you prefer, you can opt for just a light layer of whipped cream.

Seasonal flavors are available, such as those on Dunkin's summer menu, but there are also classic options that are consistently offered. The caramel craze signature latte combines caramel syrup and drizzle, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. The turtle signature latte features a blend of butter pecan swirl syrup and mocha syrup, finished with whipped cream. Other flavors like blueberry crisp and pumpkin cream can also be found, although, similar to Dunkin's secret menu items, they may not always be listed.

4. Iced cappuccino

An iced cappuccino consists of espresso and milk topped with foam. It’s expertly blended, ensuring that each sip delivers the same delightful flavor from the first to the last. While it shares similarities with the iced latte, the iced cappuccino features a greater amount of foam and less milk. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal taste, but I appreciate the lightness of the cappuccino, which is more airy than some other iced beverages while still offering robust espresso notes.

You can enjoy this iced coffee drink made with either whole or skim milk. Unfortunately, Dunkin' does not provide alternative milk options, although some baristas may substitute different types of milk upon request. You can also enhance your cappuccino with flavor syrups, such as French vanilla swirl, mocha swirl, caramel swirl, and butter pecan swirl. These flavors add a touch of sweetness, and you can further increase the sweetness with added sugar if desired. The original unflavored version is the least sweet, making it perfect for those who prefer a creamy, light, and refreshing iced coffee with a strong espresso kick.

3. Iced chai latte

The Dunkin' iced chai offers a delightful sweetness complemented by the expected spiciness of a traditional chai latte. If you prefer your chai on the sweeter side, this option is great as is. However, to transform it into an iced coffee and reduce the sweetness, simply request it "dirty." This means they will add a shot of espresso, enhancing the flavor and boosting the caffeine content. For a large iced chai latte, consider adding two shots of espresso. This is my go-to order when I crave a flavor profile that surpasses regular iced coffee, as it perfectly balances sweet and spicy notes.

The medium size is crafted with three pumps of chai tea and your choice of whole or skim milk. The cold milk complements the chai, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg beautifully. Just keep in mind that the spices may settle at the bottom, so be sure to give your iced chai latte a quick stir with your straw to blend everything together.

2. Iced coffee with cream and sugar

Dunkin' iced coffee is a timeless favorite for a reason. You can customize it with sugar, milk, or cream to suit your taste, and choose between light, medium, or dark roast. However, while Dunkin' brews coffee fresh throughout the day, the availability of roast types may vary based on what has been prepared at that moment, so your choices might be limited.

When placing your order, it's useful to indicate how many sugars and how much milk or cream you prefer. Some baristas may add a standard amount, which can differ by location. Alternatively, you can request sugar and milk on the side to adjust your iced coffee to your liking. For sugar syrup, you'll need to ask the barista to add it, as it isn't available in small packets like granulated sugar. You can order an iced coffee without any milk or sugar, but Dunkin's website typically features it with cream and sugar, which is how I chose to order mine. I requested one pump of sugar syrup and two creams, resulting in a sweetness level similar to that of a latte.

If you're a fan of Dunkin' iced coffee and want to recreate it at home, you can also purchase ground coffee or whole beans to make your favorite brew yourself.

1. Cold brew

The exceptionally smooth flavor of Dunkin' cold brew secures its place at the top of this list. You can customize it with sugar and milk if that’s your preference, just as you would with a standard iced coffee. Cold brew differs from iced coffee in that it’s prepared by steeping coffee beans in cold water, with Dunkin' allowing their beans to steep for 12 hours. This slow extraction process brings out the flavors gradually, resulting in an incredibly smooth beverage.

Dunkin' utilizes arabica beans for their cold brew, which generally produces a smoother coffee compared to other bean varieties, regardless of the brewing method. When you pair these beans with the cold brew technique, you end up with a delightful cup of coffee. Like other iced beverages from Dunkin', adding a pump of sugar syrup is a great way to enhance the sweetness.

This is my go-to iced coffee choice at nearly any café and my top recommendation from Dunkin'. It’s the only drink on this list specifically crafted to be served cold, rather than being a variation of a traditional hot beverage. Since it takes 12 hours to prepare a batch of cold brew, if they run out, you may have to wait for your cold brew fix. It’s advisable to visit earlier in the day when they are more likely to have cold brew available.

Methodology

I performed a taste test of all the iced coffee options, along with a few specialty drinks that allowed for an extra shot of espresso for added caffeine, to evaluate their differences. In my experience, I focused on several key factors that contribute to an excellent iced coffee. Flavor and smoothness were my top priorities, along with the ability to customize, as everyone has unique preferences regarding sweetness, creaminess, and caffeine levels.

To ensure an authentic experience, I ordered exactly as listed on the menu, without substituting any of Dunkin's milk or sugar alternatives. As a regular coffee drinker and a fan of Dunkin', it was no surprise that my favorite choices were among the most reliable.