If you make your way to Dunkin Donuts for a coffee beverage, you’re expecting a jolt of caffeine. Dunkin is known for their high caffeine content and the fact they’ve increased that content throughout the years to compete with other coffee industry giants like Starbucks. The big question on the mind of caffeine lovers around the world is what’s the most caffeinated drink at Dunkin Donuts? That’s what we’re here to find out!
When browsing the caffeine content of the many drinks offered by this coffee and donuts legend, it is clear to see one drink is the clear champion when it comes to caffeine content, the energy cold brew. In a 14-ounce medium serving of this caffeine powerhouse, drinkers can expect to get at least 378 mg of caffeine. Below, we’ll learn more about this tasty drink, Dunkin’s sizing, and the caffeine found inside your cup.
Size Matters
Yes, when it comes to a Dunkin Donuts drink, size does matter. They offer small, medium, large, and even an extra-large for most drinks. They even do larger sizes for select drinks, but we’re sticking with the originals in this look at their drinks. If you step through the doors and order a drink without specifying a certain size, most likely you’ll receive a medium that features 14 fluid ounces of deliciousness. This is why we chose this size as our baseline while determining what the most caffeinated beverage was at Dunkin Donuts.
Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to Dunkin and their cup sizing is whether your beverage is hot or cold. The company does offer a different size cup when it comes to their iced beverages. Oddly enough, however, when it comes to the energy cold brew, it isn’t considered an iced beverage therefore it is served in standard cup sizes like regular brewed coffee. Here’s a quick look at the other sizes you can find at Dunkin Donuts and how many ounces they hold.
Small (Hot beverage) | 10 fluid ounces |
Medium (Hot beverage) | 14 fluid ounces |
Large (Hot beverage) | 20 fluid ounces |
Extra-Large (Hot beverage) | 24 fluid ounces |
Small (Iced beverage) | 16 fluid ounces |
Medium (Iced beverage) | 24 fluid ounces |
Large (Iced beverage) | 32 fluid ounces |
The Energy Cold Brew
Now that you know Dunkin’s energy cold brew is the coffee giant’s most caffeinated drink, you may be curious about what exactly it is. This drink was first introduced by Dunkin in 2019 and marketed as a way to get a real boost when you need it throughout the day. Inside your cup, you’ll find Dunkin’s signature cold brew. On its own, cold brew coffee at Dunkin offers 260 mg of caffeine. What gives the energy cold brew that extra boost is the shot of Dunkin’s espresso and the 118 mg of caffeine added to each cup.
Cold Brew Vs Other Coffee Beverages
On average, cold brew coffee offers drinkers more caffeine per cup than regular brewed hot coffee and iced coffees. Why is this? The answer is thanks to the coffee-to-water ratio in a cold brew. Simply stated, cold brew coffee uses more beans than regular brewed coffee. This means you’ll get more caffeine. Iced coffees are simply regular coffee poured over ice. Cold-brew is a completely different method and therefore you’ll get different caffeine amounts with this process.
Other Highly Caffeinated Beverages at Dunkin
While the energy cold brew may be the most caffeinated beverage at Dunkin Donuts, that doesn’t mean it’s your only option. Dunkin Donuts is one of the go-to’s for people looking to add a little extra pep in their step. Here’s a look at a few of their other beverages with quite a bit of caffeine so you can switch things up now and then.
Regular Brewed Coffee (14-ounce) | 210 mg of caffeine |
Extra Charged Coffee (14-ounce) | 252 mg of caffeine |
Americano (14-ounce) | 284 mg of caffeine |
Macchiato (14-ounce) | 284 mg of caffeine |
Cold Brew Coffee (14-ounce) | 260 mg of caffeine |
Caffeine and Its Dangers
While caffeine is relatively safe, it is important to keep in mind that too much can cause side effects. The FDA recommends that a healthy adult consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. That’s not much in the minds of coffee lovers and caffeine junkies. Most people have higher tolerances for caffeine and consume a bit more than suggested.
If you’re a fan of the energy cold brew or other highly caffeinated drinks at Dunkin you should know the signs of too much caffeine in your system. If you experience these side effects, cut back on the amount of caffeine you’re consuming and try to learn your personal limits.
- Jitters
- Anxiousness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
- Dehydration
- Withdrawals
Conclusion
For lovers of caffeine and the taste of Dunkin Donuts, you’ll find no better drink to bring both worlds together than the energy cold brew. When you’re looking for a caffeine boost to start your day or help you through an overly exhausting one, this super-charged cold brew coffee is the answer. Stop by and enjoy one the next time you need a pick-me-up. Remember, however, with 378 mg of caffeine in a 14-ounce cup, more than one of these highly caffeinated beverages a day may be pushing your limits. Always drink safely when it comes to caffeine.
Featured Image Credit: Mikail Duran, Unsplash