Dunkin’s New Spring Banana Drinks Reviewed: Flavor Meets Unique Appearance

If you’re a fan of Dunkin’ and have a penchant for all things banana-flavored, you’re in for a treat. Dunkin’ has recently launched its spring drink collection, featuring a strong emphasis on banana. The new offerings bring a creative twist to coffee with options ranging from espresso drinks to refreshing matcha and frozen selections.

Methodology

As a lover of bananas and their flavors, I was excited to explore Dunkin’s latest spring lineup. I chose five available beverages to sample before even stepping out of the store.

Each drink was tasted individually, with water in between sips to keep the flavors distinct. I evaluated them on overall taste, banana flavor intensity, additional enhancements, and sweetness.

Availability and Pricing

Dunkin’s spring beverages are currently available across the nation, although the selection and pricing may vary by location. The duration of these seasonal drinks is uncertain. Here’s a look at some of the new offerings: the Banana Puddin’ Cloud Latte ($6.50), Banana Daydream Refreshers ($5.16), Bananarama Iced Matcha ($5.29), Banana Iced Protein Latte ($5.99), Banana Shakin’ Espresso ($5.29), Monkey Business Cloud Latte ($6.50), Nutty Banana Cloud Dunkalatte ($6.24), and Banana Frozen Chocolate ($5.29).

My local Dunkin’ only had a selection of five beverages: the Banana Puddin’ Cloud Latte, Bananarama Iced Matcha, Banana Shakin’ Espresso, Nutty Banana Cloud Dunkalatte, and Banana Frozen Chocolate, which I will be reviewing here.

Nutty Banana Cloud Dunkalatte

This drink stands out as one of the more balanced options. While you certainly taste the banana, it’s not overwhelming. Composed of espresso, coffee milk, and a hint of hazelnut, it’s topped with fluffy banana cold foam. The hazelnut works well to moderate the banana flavor without letting it dominate.

The primary flavor I detect is the espresso, and it’s pleasantly rich without being overly sweet, a key factor that enhances the overall experience.

Banana Puddin’ Cloud Latte

As a banana pudding enthusiast, I had high expectations for this latte. Featuring espresso blended with vanilla custard and banana flavors, it’s also topped with banana cold foam. However, it fell short of delivering the expected creamy dessert vibe.

The drink’s flavor is subtle and creamy, but it lacks the indulgent banana pudding essence, ending up as a mildly flavored banana drink rather than a fulfilling dessert experience.

Bananarama Iced Matcha

As someone who loves matcha, I couldn’t resist trying this beverage. The green tea base is mixed with vanilla custard and banana flavors, using approximately three pumps of banana syrup. While it’s a decent matcha drink, I would prefer to dial down the syrup for a more balanced flavor.

The matcha itself delivers the earthy notes and the signature green color, but I can envision it being even better with banana cold foam replacing some of the syrup for a lighter touch.

Banana Shakin’ Espresso

The appeal of shaken espressos in the coffee world is undeniable, bringing a bold and simple flavor profile. Upon discovering this variation on the Dunkin’ menu, I was eager to try it. However, despite its enticing features — double espresso shots, banana syrup, and oat milk — it did not meet my expectations.

Regrettably, the Banana Shakin’ Espresso turned out to be the least impressive of the bunch. The expected velvety smoothness was missing, and the banana syrup was overpowering, detracting from the espresso experience.

Banana Frozen Chocolate

Unfortunately, this drink did not live up to its name. I had high hopes for a frozen chocolate treat, inspired by memorable experiences with frozen hot chocolate in the past. While the concept of blending banana and chocolate sounds wonderful, the execution fell flat.

Instead of a balanced flavor, the overpowering banana masked any hint of chocolate. It appears the deliciousness is lost within the banana syrup, and the chocolate drizzle fails to save the drink.

Key Takeaways

• Dunkin’s spring lineup emphasizes banana flavors across various drinks.
• The Nutty Banana Cloud Dunkalatte offers a balanced taste with espresso and hazelnut.
• The Banana Puddin’ Cloud Latte lacks the expected banana pudding essence.
• Matcha enthusiasts may enjoy the Bananarama Iced Matcha with some adjustments.
• The Banana Shakin’ Espresso is overpowered by banana syrup and lacks smoothness.
• The Banana Frozen Chocolate does not deliver on chocolate flavor, dominated by banana.

Before you spring into a Dunkin’ …

In summary, Dunkin’s new spring offerings miss the mark overall. The Nutty Banana Cloud Dunkalatte and Bananarama Iced Matcha were the most enjoyable, though I would recommend adjusting the syrup levels or milk choices for an improved flavor experience.

Dunkin’ aimed for a banana-themed menu but might have overdone it, as many drinks come off as excessively sweet. With some tweaks, there is potential for improvement, but currently, I wouldn’t rush to try the new banana beverages from Dunkin’.

FAQ

What flavors are included in Dunkin’s spring collection?

Dunkin’s spring collection features various banana-flavored beverages, including lattes, matcha, and frozen drinks.

Are these drinks available nationwide?

Yes, the spring drinks are available across the nation, although options and prices may vary by location.

Which drink is the most balanced option?

The Nutty Banana Cloud Dunkalatte is noted for its balanced flavor profile combining espresso, hazelnut, and banana.

Does the Banana Puddin’ Cloud Latte taste like banana pudding?

While it has banana flavors, it does not deliver the expected banana pudding experience, lacking the rich dessert notes.

Which drink is recommended for matcha lovers?

The Bananarama Iced Matcha is recommended, though adjusting the banana syrup amount may enhance the flavor.