Yesterday was National Coffee Day, and Dunkin’ Donuts is still celebrating its 65th year and its new flavored coffee options. The coffee and donut retailer is adding new flavors to its menu and merchandise.
Dunkin’ Donuts is celebrating its 65 years in business with the first-ever vanilla cupcake-flavored coffee . It’s part of Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series packaged coffee line, which is available at select Dunkin’ Donut retailers and grocery stores. Each coffee is available for the retail price of $6.99 to $7.99 each. The new vanilla cupcake flavor coffee joins the ranks of other flavors in the line, including Blueberry Muffin Flavored Coffee, Caramel Coffee Cake Flavored Coffee, Cinnamon Coffee Roll Flavored Coffee, and Chocolate Glazed Donut Flavored Coffee.
In addition to the Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series, the company also offers flavored coffee K-Cup packs, also offered at grocery stores and select retailers.
The NEW Bakery Series® Vanilla Cupcake flavored coffee by HG partner @DunkinDonuts … YUM-AZING! #NationalCoffeeDay pic.twitter.com/I6PZ7wxOtv
— Lisa Lillien (@HungryGirl) September 29, 2015
In addition to adding new flavors to its packaged coffee line, Dunkin’ Donuts recently announced that it’s adding the Pumpkin Macchiato to its espresso beverage menu. The new coffee flavor will be available at select Dunkin’ Donut restaurants on September 28.
“The Macchiato will be popping up in restaurants as early as this week but will be in DD’s nationwide by September 28,” Dunkin’ Donuts spokesperson Lindsay Cronin confirmed to Boston.com .
There’s no doubt that the fall season is about everything pumpkin spice. It has made some folks sick of the trend. Dunkin’ Donuts is carrying on the trend with a new season drink that combines pumpkin flavored swirl and the chain’s freshly brewed espresso. Customers can also personalize their macchiato drink with any of Dunkin’ Donuts other flavored coffee options.
. @DunkinDonuts releases new Pumpkin Macchiatos in hot and iced form! #pumpkin #macchiato http://t.co/fbQVwRZhER pic.twitter.com/fww8qXfbDu
— FastFoodGeek (@FastFoodGeek) September 29, 2015
“Dunkin’ Donuts’ Pumpkin Macchiato is a handcrafted, layered espresso beverage made with steamed milk and pumpkin flavored swirl, then topped with a double shot of Dunkin’ Donuts’ rich, freshly-brewed espresso,” as described by the Massachusetts-based company’s recent statement.
It turns out that the pumpkin-flavored beverage is a hit with the coffee chain. The Pumpkin Macchiato will be available on Dunkin’ Donuts’ menu of espresso selections that include cappuccino, espresso, and hot and cold lattes, which include a variety of flavors such as caramel and mocha. This new flavor addition will allow the company to compete with Starbucks and other coffee chains with the demand for pumpkin spice beverages during the fall season.
Put a spin on Pumpkin season with our new Pumpkin Macchiato. #DDPumpkin https://t.co/4SpAjUzQLS
— Dunkin’ Donuts (@DunkinDonuts) September 30, 2015
So what is the difference between Dunkin’ Donuts’ Pumpkin Macchiato and Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte? Both contain espresso, milk, and sweetener, and both are combined in a latte form. But the Pumpkin Macchiato layers the espresso shots on top of the milk. It’s more enjoyable for coffee lovers, according to food website Delish .
“We got a first taste of the iced pumpkin variety, which was about as sweet as the cult classic PSL from its competitor, but there’s less baking spice and much better—and nuttier—coffee flavor. Meaning it actually tastes like espresso and not a sugary pumpkin pie latte sprinkled with cinnamon.”
If you prefer your coffee to be a little on the sweet side, then you can choose the Dunkin’ Donuts Pumpkin Swirl latte or the Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Latte K-Cup pack, which launched last year.
Tuesday, Sept. 29 was National Coffee Day , which means that guests could walk into any participating Dunkin’ Donuts location and receive a free medium cup of iced or hot Rainforest Alliance Certified dark roast coffee. Sure, it’s not a flavored coffee, but it’s made with 30 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified beans, according to a recent press release. It provides a bold flavor, yet a “smooth finish” without any of that bitterness that most dark roast coffees have.
Coffee drinkers could also take advantage of any of the chain’s new coffee flavors, including the Pumpkin Macchiato, for just $1.99 if they paid with their DD card.
What are your thoughts on Dunkin’ Donuts’ very new and sweet coffee flavors? What’s your favorite flavored coffee? Share your thoughts below in the comments section.
[Image: Justin Sullivan /Getty Images]