As the holiday season wraps up, it’s time to embrace Valentine’s Day, and Dunkin’ is ready to make the occasion sweeter with a limited-time menu. Starting January 28, the chain introduces a lineup of seven drinks inspired by the spirit of love and indulgence.
The drinks evoke a sense of fan-created secret menu styles, complete with thematic names that add to the charm. I sampled all seven on launch day to discern the stars from the duds. Overall, I found this year’s Dunkin’ offerings to be more enjoyable than past experiences, which often involved overly sweet or lackluster beverages.
Methodology
When evaluating the Valentine’s Day drink selection from Dunkin’, taste takes center stage. My focus was on identifying beverages that are truly enjoyable and worthy of a repeat order. The standout drinks kept me sipping long after the tasting, while the less impressive ones barely managed more than a couple of sips.
Toxic Ex-Presso Cloud Latte
The Toxic Ex-Presso Cloud Latte initially appeared promising, blending espresso, mocha, and raspberry with a decadent chocolate cold foam. Unfortunately, the reality fell short of expectations. Despite its alluring description, it made me long for a better raspberry syrup alternative.
With 410 calories, 13 grams of fat, 65 grams of carbohydrates, 58 grams of sugar, and 10 grams of protein in a medium size, the taste was disappointing, even somewhat bitter. This drink ended up at the bottom of my rankings, as it didn’t inspire more than a couple of sips from me.
Heart Eyes Daydream Refresher
The Heart Eyes Daydream Refresher, as its name suggests, provides a sweet, sugary experience. This drink combines a Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher with blueberry flavor and Plant Oat’s oat milk, creating a delightful cold foam topping. With 290 calories, 5 grams of fat, 57 grams of carbohydrates, 42 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein, it’s undeniably indulgent.
While it offers smooth texture, the flavor profile is muddled, reminiscent of mixed berry treats. Although it shines with sweet notes, the overall taste might be too sugary for some. I found it enjoyable but placed it toward the lower end of my rankings due to its overwhelming sweetness.
The Perfect Matcha
The Perfect Matcha aims to capture the essence of perfection, mimicking the often romanticized aspects of Valentine’s Day. However, my experience revealed it to be rather basic compared to other matchas I’ve enjoyed. With 330 calories, 12 grams of fat, 44 grams of carbohydrates, 43 grams of sugar, and 11 grams of protein, this iced matcha latte topped with sweet cold foam felt ordinary and missed the mark on truly achieving perfection.
While tasty, it pales in comparison to more remarkable matchas. It’s a solid choice if you’re craving matcha at Dunkin’, but don’t expect something extraordinary.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Daydream Refresher
Inspired by the classic chocolate-covered strawberries, the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Daydream Refresher attempts to blend rich and juicy flavors into a refreshing drink. This medium option contains 280 calories, 5 grams of fat, 56 grams of carbohydrates, 42 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. It features a modified Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher mixed with oat milk and topped with chocolate cold foam.
However, the chocolate foam largely overpowered the drink, veering it away from the intended strawberry flavor. While it’s enjoyable, it falls short of achieving an ideal balance between chocolate and strawberry, earning it a spot near the middle of my rankings.
Blush Spritz Refresher
The Blush Spritz Refresher is designed to resonate with the Valentine’s theme by incorporating sparkling water. This lighter drink, offering 120 calories, 0 grams of fat, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 27 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein, brings a refreshing twist. While it may surprise some with its subtler sweetness, the flavor grows on you with each sip, reminiscent of a strawberry Jolly Rancher.
As a sparklier option, it serves well as a refreshing beverage but could potentially benefit from a dash of fruity vodka for an adult twist. Given its balanced flavor profile, this drink ranked high on my list of favorites.
Buff Chai
As protein-infused beverages gain popularity, Dunkin’ introduces the Buff Chai, which offers a delightful blend of chai syrup and protein milk. Clocking in at 290 calories, 6 grams of fat, 44 grams of carbohydrates, 40 grams of sugar, and a substantial 15 grams of protein, this drink stands out for its flavors.
This chai strikes the right balance with its spices and creamy texture, making it a comforting choice. While the name may be quirky, it captures the drink’s essence well. This chai is a frontrunner in my rankings and is worthy of a repeat order, especially with an added shot of espresso.
Sweet On You Cloud Latte
Topping my list, the Sweet On You Cloud Latte combines the flavors of espresso, milk, and caramel coconut for a delightful treat. At 420 calories, 12 grams of fat, 64 grams of carbohydrates, 63 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of protein, it won me over instantly.
Despite its summery coconut vibes amidst the cold weather, it delivered a refreshing flavor profile characteristic of a beach escape. Though the caramel was subtle, it added to the overall sweetness without overwhelming the taste. Enjoyable and indulgent, this drink is one I would certainly recommend ordering again.
Key Takeaways
- Dunkin’ introduces seven Valentine’s Day-themed drinks starting January 28.
- The drinks include unique combinations of flavors and ingredients.
- Sweet On You Cloud Latte stood out as the top-rated option.
- Toxic Ex-Presso Cloud Latte ranked the lowest due to an unappealing taste.
- Heart Eyes Daydream Refresher offers excessive sweetness for some palates.
- Buff Chai presents a flavorful balance with protein richness.
- Blush Spritz Refresher is a refreshing sparkling option worth considering.
FAQ
What are the new drinks Dunkin’ is offering for Valentine’s Day 2026?
Dunkin’ has introduced seven themed drinks for Valentine’s Day, including the Sweet On You Cloud Latte and the Toxic Ex-Presso Cloud Latte.
Which drink is rated the highest?
The Sweet On You Cloud Latte received the highest rating for its pleasing flavor combination and overall enjoyment.
Is the Blush Spritz Refresher a good choice for those who dislike sweet drinks?
While it offers a lighter, refreshing flavor, it does have some sweetness; however, it’s less intense than others in the lineup.