Do Dunkin Donuts flavor shots have calories?

Quick Answer

Dunkin’ Donuts flavor shots do contain calories, though the exact amount can vary by flavor. Most Dunkin’ flavor shots contain between 30-60 calories per shot. Popular flavors like caramel, mocha, and hazelnut tend to be on the higher end with 50-60 calories per shot. Lighter flavors like vanilla and coconut tend to have 30-40 calories per shot. The calories come from sugar and other flavoring ingredients like syrups and extracts. So while flavor shots can add great taste to coffee and espresso drinks, they do result in an increase in calories. Customers concerned about calories can ask for fewer shots or alternative low calorie sweeteners.

How Many Calories Are in Dunkin Donuts Flavor Shots?

The number of calories in Dunkin’ Donuts flavor shots depends on the specific flavor. Dunkin’ offers over a dozen flavor shots for adding extra taste to drinks. Here is a breakdown of the approximate calories for some of the most popular Dunkin’ flavor shots:

Dunkin’ Flavor Shot Calories (per shot)
Caramel 60
Mocha 60
Hazelnut 50
Vanilla 40
Coconut 30
Blueberry 50
Cinnamon 30
Raspberry 50
Peppermint 40

As you can see, flavor shots can range anywhere from 30-60 calories each depending on the type. Sweet flavors like caramel, mocha, and hazelnut tend to be higher in calories, while lighter flavors like coconut and cinnamon are lower.

The calories in Dunkin’ flavor shots come from the sugar and syrups used to create the concentrated flavors. Sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, and natural sugars all contain calories that add up quickly in the small shots. Things like extracts, cocoa, and emulsifiers used in the flavors also contribute minimal calories.

So while the flavors shots may be small in size, their high sugar content leads each shot to carry a significant number of calories.

Do All Dunkin Locations Have Flavor Shots?

Dunkin’ flavor shots are available at most locations, but not all. They have become a popular add-on item for customizing drinks over the past several years. However, there are some markets and older locations that may not offer flavor shots just yet.

In general, newly built Dunkin’ Donuts stores within the last 5-10 years will likely have flavor shots as part of their menu. Majority of renovated locations also have flavor shot options after updating their equipment and menus. Additionally, most Dunkin’ shops in metro and suburban areas carry flavor shots to meet customer demand.

However, some regions and rural locations may still lack flavor shot availability. This is often dependent on market preferences and supply chain factors in getting the flavor shot concentrates regularly stocked. Older Dunkin’ locations that have not been recently updated or expanded likely do not have an inventory of flavor shots.

If flavor shots are a must for your Dunkin’ order, it’s best to check ahead with your local store. You can call and ask if they carry flavor shots or use the Dunkin’ app to browse the menu offerings at nearby locations. This can help confirm whether flavors shots are available before you visit.

What Drinks Can You Add Flavor Shots To?

Dunkin’ allows flavor shots to be added to almost any beverage for an extra kick of flavor. Here are some of the most popular drinks that customers customize with shots:

  • Coffee – Adds flavor to drip coffee, iced coffee, cold brew, etc.
  • Lattes – Enhances mocha, caramel, vanilla lattes, and more
  • Macchiatos – Good for caramel, hazelnut or mocha macchiatos
  • Hot Chocolate – Flavors like peppermint or coconut complement hot cocoa
  • Chai Lattes – Cinnamon, caramel or vanilla are nice chai add-ins
  • Frozen Drinks – Great for blended coffees, freezes, Coolattas
  • Lemonades – Try flavors like blueberry, strawberry, or coconut
  • Teas – Add some sweetness to hot, iced, or frozen teas

The flavored shots mix well into any hot, iced, or blended Dunkin’ beverage. They allow you to customize a plain coffee or latte with your preferred flavors. Shots pair especially well with other flavors like mocha and caramel to intensify the taste. Feel free to get creative and try shots in your go-to order or a new drink!

How Much Do Flavor Shots Cost at Dunkin?

Dunkin’ Donuts charges between $0.50 – $1.00 for each flavor shot added to a drink. The exact cost depends on the location. Here is a breakdown of typical flavor shot pricing:

Number of Shots Typical Price
1 shot $0.50 – $1.00
2 shots $1.00 – $1.50
3 shots $1.50 – $2.00
4 shots $2.00 – $2.50
5 shots $2.50 – $3.00

As you can see, each additional shot adds another $0.50 – $1.00 to your order cost. Some markets may charge slightly higher or lower prices for flavor shots. Taxes will also be added to the cost of shots when applicable.

Dunkin’ often runs mobile app deals for discounted or free flavor shots with certain drink purchases. Ordering through the app and keeping an eye out for shot promotions can help save on flavor shot costs. Overall, shots remain highly affordable for adding flavor to drinks at around $1 or less per shot.

How to Order Dunkin Donuts Flavor Shots

Ordering flavor shots at Dunkin’ is easy whether in-store, at the drive-thru, or online. Here are some tips for requesting shots with your drink:

  • Specify the number of shots you want – ex. “I’ll take a medium iced coffee with 2 hazelnut shots”
  • Order shots alongside any drink – lattes, Coolattas, lemonade, etc.
  • Pick standard or signature flavors – caramel, French vanilla, coconut, etc.
  • Use the Dunkin’ app to order ahead and customize with shots
  • Ask the barista for recommendations matching your drink
  • Request an extra cup on the side to sample flavors before adding

The Dunkin’ staff is typically very accommodating of flavor shot requests. Don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation matching your drink choice if you’re unsure of pairing flavors. Feel free to sample a few options and find your perfect flavor combination!

Copycat Dunkin Donuts Flavor Shot Recipe

Want to recreate the Dunkin’ flavor shot experience at home? Here is a tasty copycat recipe for making DIY caramel coffee flavor shots with just a few ingredients:

Copycat Caramel Coffee Flavor Shot Recipe

Ingredients: Instructions:
1 cup brown sugar 1. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and coffee extract.
1/4 cup hot water 2. Transfer syrup to a jar or container. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
1 tsp vanilla extract 3. To use: Add 1-2 tbsp of the flavor shot to hot, iced, or blended coffee drinks. Adjust amount to taste preferences.
1/2 tsp coffee extract

This easy homemade flavor shot recipe allows you to create a sweet caramel and coffee flavored sugar syrup for enriching drinks. Feel free to experiment with your own custom flavors by using different extracts, spices, citrus zests, or other mix-ins. The flavor possibilities are endless!

Healthiest Ways to Order Dunkin Donuts Drinks with Flavor Shots

While tasty, Dunkin’ flavor shots do drive up the sugar content of drinks. Here are some healthy ordering tips for keeping your flavored Dunkin’ beverage in check:

  • Opt for 1-2 shots max to limit added sugars
  • Choose lighter flavors like cinnamon, vanilla or coconut
  • Ask for less pumps of base syrup in the drink
  • Request low-fat or non-fat milk over whole milk
  • Order a small or medium size instead of large
  • Get hot coffee or iced coffee instead of blended frozen drinks
  • Pair with a reduced calorie bakery item like an English muffin
  • Avoid extra whipped cream, which adds fat and calories

Using these tips when ordering flavored drinks with shots can lead to significant calorie savings. A small iced coffee with 2 vanilla shots and nonfat milk clocks in around 100 calories – a lighter option than many menu choices.

You can also offset the shots by asking for less pumps of sugary syrup, or getting hot coffee instead of blended frozen beverages to decrease calories. Enjoy your flavor shot treats, but be mindful of extra add-ins that can pile on sugar, fat, and calories.

Conclusion

Dunkin’ Donuts flavor shots allow customers to customize their drinks by adding in concentrated flavors like caramel, hazelnut, vanilla, and more. While tasty, the flavor shots do contain 30-60 calories each from added sugars. Healthiest options include minimizing to 1-2 shots per drink, choosing lighter flavors, and avoiding extra high-calorie add-ins. Overall, flavor shots provide a fun way to give your favorite Dunkin’ beverage an extra punch of sweetness for under 100 calories per serving. Be sure to check ahead on shot availability at your local stores, and don’t hesitate to ask the baristas for flavor recommendations. With some mindful ordering, you can satisfy your craving for flavored coffee drinks while maintaining balanced nutrition.

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