Dunkin’ offers a variety of refreshing beverages called Dunkin’ Refreshers that are made with fruit concentrate, green tea extract, and B vitamins. But many people wonder just how many calories are actually in these drinks. In this comprehensive guide, we will analyze the calorie counts for all Dunkin’ Refreshers menu items so you can make an informed decision.
What Are Dunkin’ Refreshers?
Dunkin’ Refreshers are a lineup of iced beverages that provide a burst of energy. They contain fruit concentrate for a tangy kick along with green tea for an extra dose of antioxidants. Dunkin’ Refreshers come in three fruit flavors:
- Strawberry Dragonfruit
- Peach Papaya
- Blueberry Pomegranate
Customers can order a Dunkin’ Refresher on its own or combined with lemonade for a twist. The Refreshers are naturally flavored without any artificial dyes or sweeteners. They contain around 10 calories per 8 fluid ounces before any customizations.
Nutrition Information for Dunkin’ Refreshers
Here is the basic nutrition information for an 8-ounce serving of each Dunkin’ Refresher flavor:
| Dunkin’ Refresher | Calories | Total Fat | Total Carbohydrates | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberry Dragonfruit | 10 | 0 g | 2 g | 0 g |
| Peach Papaya | 10 | 0 g | 2 g | 0 g |
| Blueberry Pomegranate | 10 | 0 g | 2 g | 0 g |
As you can see, a standard 8-ounce Dunkin’ Refresher is very low in calories and contains 0 grams of fat and protein. The calories come entirely from the small amount of carbohydrates from the fruit concentrates and green tea.
Calories in Dunkin’ Refreshers with Lemonade
Customers have the option to combine any Dunkin’ Refresher with lemonade. This ups the calorie count due to the added sugars from the lemonade. Here are the nutrition facts for the refreshers made with lemonade:
| Dunkin’ Refresher with Lemonade | Calories | Total Fat | Total Carbohydrates | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberry Dragonfruit with Lemonade | 140 | 0 g | 34 g | 0 g |
| Peach Papaya with Lemonade | 140 | 0 g | 34 g | 0 g |
| Blueberry Pomegranate with Lemonade | 140 | 0 g | 34 g | 0 g |
Adding the lemonade increases the calorie count to 140 calories for an 8-ounce serving. The carbohydrates also go up significantly due to the added sugar content of standard lemonade.
Impact of Size on Dunkin’ Refresher Calories
The size of the Dunkin’ Refresher makes a major difference in the total calorie content. Here are the calories for each standard size:
| Dunkin’ Refresher Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small (12 oz) | 15 |
| Medium (16 oz) | 20 |
| Large (20 oz) | 25 |
| Extra Large (24 oz) | 30 |
As shown above, the calorie count scales up with size. A small Dunkin’ Refresher has just 15 calories, while an extra large has 30 calories. The difference comes down to the amount of fruit concentrate and green tea extract in each size. Therefore, ordering a smaller size can trim calories.
Calories in Customized Dunkin’ Refreshers
One of the great things about Dunkin’ Refreshers is that they are highly customizable. You can tweak your drink by:
- Adding flavored fruit shots
- Using non-dairy milks
- Adding sweetener
- Asking for no liquid cane sugar
- Topping with whipped cream
These customizations impact the total calorie count. Here is how each mod affects the nutrition facts:
| Dunkin’ Refresher Customization | Calorie Impact |
|---|---|
| Add flavored fruit shot | +30 calories per shot |
| Non-dairy milk | Coconut milk: +45 calories Almond milk: +30 calories |
| Add liquid sugar | +35 calories per pump |
| No liquid cane sugar | -20 calories |
| Whipped cream | +50 calories |
As you can see, adding fruit shots, non-dairy milk, liquid sugar, and whipped cream increases the calories. Skipping liquid cane sugar reduces the total. This means you can lower calories by ordering an unsweetened Dunkin’ Refresher with no custom add-ins.
Lowest Calorie Dunkin’ Refresher Combinations
If you want to keep your Dunkin’ Refresher on the lighter side, here are some low calorie combinations to try:
- Small Peach Papaya Refresher with no liquid cane sugar (10 calories)
- Medium Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher with almond milk (40 calories)
- Large Blueberry Pomegranate Refresher with coconut milk and no liquid cane sugar (55 calories)
Choosing a smaller size, skipping liquid cane sugar, and using almond milk over coconut milk (if using non-dairy milk) helps reduce the calorie count while still letting you enjoy these fruity, refreshing beverages.
Highest Calorie Dunkin’ Refresher Combinations
On the other end of the spectrum, here are some Dunkin’ Refresher orders that rack up the calories:
- Medium Peach Papaya Refresher with lemonade and 2 pumps liquid cane sugar (215 calories)
- Large Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher with lemonade, coconut milk, and whipped cream (295 calories)
- Extra Large Blueberry Pomegranate Refresher with 3 flavored fruit shots and whipped cream (335 calories)
Adding lemonade, liquid cane sugar pumps, flavored shots, coconut milk, and whipped cream leads to a high calorie Dunkin Refresher. Going with a smaller size can help trim some calories off these decked-out drinks.
Best Low Calorie Dunkin’ Refresher Hacks
Use these simple hacks to keep your Dunkin’ Refresher light and guilt-free:
- Pick small size: Opt for a 12-ounce small when ordering to slash calories.
- Skip added sugar: Avoid liquid cane sugar or flavored shots to limit extra calories from sugar.
- Choose almond milk: Almond milk has fewer calories than coconut milk if you want a non-dairy option.
- Hold the whipped cream: Topping your drink with whipped cream piles on 50 extra calories.
- Ask for less fruit concentrate: Ordering light or half fruit concentrate reduces calories.
With these simple tweaks, you can enjoy a refreshingly cool Dunkin’ Refresher any time of day while keeping calories under control.
Conclusion
Dunkin’ Refreshers provide a flavorful way to hydrate without breaking the calorie bank. A standard small unsweetened refresher contains just 10-15 calories. But size, add-ins, and customizations can quickly increase the calorie count. Your best bet is choosing a small size with no liquid cane sugar or whipped cream to keep your refresher guilt-free. Knowing the calorie content of Dunkin’ Refreshers makes it easy to satisfy your cravings while sticking to your health goals.
