Dunkin’s Holiday Drinks Are Back—Here’s What’s Recommended by Dietitians

The holiday season is basically here, and Dunkin’ wants you to celebrate with their holiday menu that became available nationwide on Wednesday. From returning fan-favorite drinks to brand-new menu items, the breakfast and coffee chain is already getting us in a joyful mood.

Not sure what to try out? Two of EatingWell’s dietitians—senior nutrition & news editor Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia and nutrition editor Jessica Ball, M.S., RD—just shared their recommendations and tips for making these seasonal beverages a little bit healthier. Here’s what you should know before rolling up to your nearest drive-thru.

First, let’s talk about Dunkin’s newest addition to the menu. The newly launched Cookie Butter Cold Brew is described as an “ultra-smooth cold brew” featuring flavors like brown sugar, topped with cookie butter cold foam and cookie butter crumbles.

Here’s the nutrition information for a medium black Cookie Butter Cold Brew coffee:

• 200 calories
• 3.5 grams total fat
• 2 grams saturated fat
• 90 milligrams sodium
• 40 grams carbohydrates
• 37 grams total sugar
• 37 grams added sugar
• 1 gram protein

Ball said she’s looking to try this cold brew, but there are a couple of adjustments she'd make to cut down on added sugar.

“These holiday drinks contain up to 49 grams of added sugar per medium drink, which is almost at the recommended daily intake limit from the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” Ball said, referring to these guidelines. “To reduce the added sugar and total calories in your drink, try opting for a smaller size and asking for half of the pumps of syrup they would typically use. This way you can still enjoy the flavors of the season in a way that aligns better with your goals.”

If you get this cold brew with whole milk, it may bump up the protein content, but it will increase the amount of calories and fat in the drink. Instead, try using an alternative, per Haddad-Garcia’s suggestion.

“To reduce the saturated fat, you can opt for either reduced-fat milk or a plant-based option like almond, oat or soy,” she said. This will help lighten your coffee’s flavor to your preference in a healthier way.

For her drink of choice, Haddad-Garcia has her eye on a minty flavor.

“While all of them look so yummy, I'd order the Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte, hot!” she said. “I've always loved peppermint-chocolate goodies, so that's why I'd choose that one. For me, hot specialty beverages feel like a hug from someone I love.” 

Here’s the breakdown for a medium Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte with whole milk:

• 420 calories
• 14 grams total fat
• 8 grams saturated fat
• 190 milligrams sodium
• 61 grams carbohydrates
• 56 grams total sugar
• 42 grams added sugar
• 10 grams protein

To make it slightly healthier, Haddad-Garcia would order a small size with almond milk, fewer pumps of syrup and no whipped cream.

Other holiday drinks at Dunkin’ this season include their Spiced Cookie Coffee and their Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte, which both sound delicious. Whatever you decide to try out in the upcoming months, make sure you enjoy it! At EatingWell, we believe that any food or drink, including these sweet coffees, can be included in a healthy eating pattern. Just be mindful of your intake and moderate your Dunkin' visits, as these shouldn’t replace your daily coffee.

For seasonal beverages you can make at home, try out drinks like our Mint-Chocolate Whipped Iced Coffee, Frozen Mocha or Chocolate de Agua (Mexican Hot Chocolate).