Millions of people worldwide wake up every morning and turn to their trusted cup of Dunkin’s Cold Brew to begin the day. It’s unbeaten when it comes to providing that amazing wake-up buzz we all crave.
However, have you ever paused to wonder how much caffeine is actually in Dunkin’s Cold Brew? If so, then you’re not the only one.
This article will provide you with everything you ever wanted to know about Dunkin’s cold brew caffeine content. So sit back, take another sip, and let’s dive right in, shall we?
Does Dunkin’s Cold Brew Have Caffeine?
Since its debut, Dunkin’s cold brew has swiftly risen to be a favored choice among coffee enthusiasts. Many people are drawn to its distinctive flavor profile. However, beyond the refreshing taste and cool texture, there’s an essential component that fuels the love for this beverage: Caffeine content.
Nowadays, there are decaffeinated coffee options (Decaf) that barely tickle the caffeine meter. However, if you are partial to the Dunkin’ cold brew, the question most commonly on your mind will be, does the Dunkin’ Cold Brew have caffeine? The answer is, absolutely!
Now we’ve answered that question for you, let’s move on to a slightly more complex one: “How Much Caffeine is in Dunkin’s Cold Brew?” The Dunkin’ Cold Brew has a 10.83mg caffeine content per fl oz. This translates to about 36mg of caffeine intake per 100 ml.
So there you go; now you know why a cup of Dunkin’ Cold Brew is so reliable in giving you that much-needed buzz to start your day.
Factors Influencing Caffeine Content in Cold Brew Coffee
At this point, it’s important to mention that as far as cold brews are concerned, several factors can influence their caffeine content. The caffeine content of cold brews varies. Understanding why can help ensure that you always get your desired caffeine levels in your brews. Some of these factors include the following:
Coffee-to-Water Ratio
This is one of the major determinants of caffeine content in cold brew coffee. When more coffee than water is added to the mix, you’ll end up with a more potent brew and vice versa. You should, however, note that opting for a higher coffee-to-water ratio means you’ll also be getting a brew with a slightly more bitter taste.
Type of Coffee Bean
Coffee beans might all look similar at a glance, but they all contain their own unique characteristics. Some coffee beans (e.g. the Robusta species) have a lot more caffeine content compared to others, such as the Arabica beans.
Brewing Time
Coffee cold brews are typically steeped for about 12-24 hours, but altering the steeping time can result in variable caffeine content. For example, a longer steeping time usually results in higher caffeine concentration. However, if you steep your coffee beans for too long, you run the risk of over-extraction and bitter coffee brews.
Grind Size
This may come as a surprise, but the grind size of your coffee also impacts the caffeine content of your cold brew. If you use fine coffee grinds, the caffeine extraction will be much faster, leading to over-extraction. So, coarser coffee grinds are usually preferred for cold brews.
Dilution
Many people prefer to dilute their cold brews with milk or a milk alternative before serving. However, this practice can directly affect the final caffeine content of your cold brew. Simply put, the degree of dilution will determine the final caffeine content per serving.
Caffeine in Dunkin’ Coffee by Size
If you’re partial to Dunkin’ Coffee and you’ve bought it a few times, then you’ll be aware that Dunkin’ Donuts offers different coffee sizes. What you may not know, however, is the direct implication. The amount of caffeine you consume depends on the size of the Dunkin’ Coffee you get.
The classification of Dunkin’ Coffee caffeine content based on size include the following:
- Small (10 fl oz): A small brew of Dunkin Coffee contains 150 mg of caffeine.
- Medium (14 fl oz): A medium brew of Dunkin’ Coffee contains 210 mg of caffeine.
- Large (20 fl oz): A large brew of Dunkin’ Coffee contains 300 mg of caffeine.
- Extra-Large (24 fl oz): An extra-large brew of Dunkin’ Coffee contains about 359 mg of caffeine.
Another important question answered, but we’re not stopping there. Now that we know how much caffeine is in a Dunkin’ cold brew, let’s see how it compares to other brands.
Compare Caffeine in Dunkin’ Cold Brew Vs. Other Cold Brews
As mentioned earlier, different cold brews have different caffeine content. You might be wondering, “How does the Dunkin’ Cold Brew caffeine content stack up to the caffeine content of other cold brews?” Excellent question; read on to have all your questions answered.
Starbucks Cold Brew
Starbucks is another giant in the coffee world that also offers cold brew coffee. A Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee contains about 43mg of caffeine per 100 ml. This is higher than the 36mg/100ml Dunkin’ Cold Brew offers.
Stumptown Cold Brew
Stumptown Cold Brew offers a great deal more caffeine content than the Starbucks and Dunkin’ Cold Brew. It contains approximately 90mg of caffeine per 100 ml.
Peet’s Cold Brew
Peet’s Coffee has been around for a long time, so it’s unsurprising that they also offer cold brew coffee. However, Peet’s Cold Brew only contains about 9 mg of caffeine per fl oz. This is lower than the Dunkin’ Cold Brew’s 10.83mg.
Chameleon Cold Brew
The Chameleon Cold Brew also offers a higher caffeine content than the Dunkin’ Cold Brew. In fact, of all the cold brews mentioned in this review, the Chameleon Cold Brew offers the highest caffeine content. Chameleon Cold Brew coffee has a caffeine content of about 110 mg per 100 ml.
La Colombe Cold Brew
The La Colombe Cold Brew is another popular option among coffee lovers. This particular cold brew has a higher caffeine content than Dunkin’ Cold Brew. A 9 fl oz can of La Colombe Cold Brew contains a total caffeine of 180mg. This translates to about 67 mg of caffeine per 100 ml.
Monster Cold Coffee Brew
Monster’s Cold Coffee Brew, also known as the Java Monster Nitro, is a relatively cold brew coffee product that has been gaining acceptance among consumers. One can of the Java Monster Nitro contains about 200 mg of caffeine.
Dunkin’ Donuts’ Energy Cold Brew
Many of the cold brew coffee options mentioned above have a higher caffeine content than the Dunkin’ Cold Brew. However, Dunkin’ Donuts has created a unique cold brew specially designed to provide that crucial combination of a higher caffeine content and signature Dunkin’ smoothness. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Dunkin’ Donuts Energy Cold Brew.
The Dunkin’ Donuts Energy Cold Brew combines the trademark Dunkin’s Cold Brew with a freshly brewed espresso shot. The result? Fine coffee quality with more caffeine action! Want to start your day with an extra buzz or spring in your step? If you do, then the Dunkin’ Donuts Energy Cold Brew is perfect for you.
How Much Caffeine Is In A Large Iced Coffee From Dunkin Donuts?
Aside from offering different sizes of cold brew coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts also offers other caffeinated beverages like Iced Coffee. As you would expect, the caffeine concentration of Dunkin’ Iced Coffee differs from that of their Cold Brew.
A Dunkin’ Iced Coffee caffeine content varies depending on the size of the beverage. A large iced coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts contains about 469 mg of caffeine.
How Is Cold Brew Coffee Different From Regular Coffee?
Cold brew coffee and regular coffee both contain caffeine and are made with coffee beans; however, this is more or less where the similarities end. These two types of coffee are different in several ways. Some of these include the following:
Method Of Preparation
To prepare regular coffee, you’ll need to use hot water instead of the cold or room temperature water that cold brew coffee requires. So it’ll come as no surprise to you that regular coffee is also referred to as hot brew.
In addition to this, cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarse coffee grinds in cold water for some time before filtering them out. For regular coffee, however, preparation simply involves pouring near-boiling water over the coffee grounds.
Preparation Time
Regarding preparation time, regular coffee takes far less time than cold brew, irrespective of the particular hot brew preparation method you’re using. Preparing a regular coffee will only take you a few minutes. However, for cold brew coffee, preparation time will typically range from 12-24 hours.
Taste Profile
It might seem unbelievable unless you’ve tried both coffee types, but they really do have distinct flavor profiles. Generally, cold brew coffee has a smoother and richer flavor profile than regular coffee. In addition to this, it also has a less acidic and bitter taste.
Suitability
Do you have a sensitive stomach? If you do and you drink regular coffee, then you may want to consider making the switch to cold brew coffee. Research has shown that cold brew coffee is weaker (in terms of acidity) than regular coffee. So people with sensitive stomachs will find cold brew coffee a lot more comfortable and enjoyable to drink.
Versatility
It’s common practice to combine teas or coffees with several other ingredients in order to create a unique drinking experience. In terms of versatility, cold brew coffee is a lot better than regular coffee. There is a minimal number of ingredients you can combine with regular coffee that doesn’t allow for a lot of experimentation. However, with cold brew coffee, the possible pairings can seem endless!
FAQ‘s
Is Dunkin Cold Brew Stronger Than Iced Coffee?
No, it isn’t. Studies have shown that Dunkin’s Iced Coffee is significantly stronger than its Cold Brew Coffee. A small cup of Dunkin’s Cold Brew Coffee contains about 174mg of caffeine, whereas a similar cup of Dunkin’s Iced Coffee contains 198mg of caffeine.
Which Is More Strong, Cold Brew or Americano?
Cold Brew coffee comes out stronger than Americano. This is due to a number of reasons. For example, Cold Brew Coffee has a longer extraction time (12-24 hours) than Americano (minutes). Aside from this, you’ll also use more coffee beans to prepare a Cold Brew Coffee than an Americano.
Is Cold Brew Really Caffeinated?
Yes, cold brew coffee really is caffeinated. Cold brew coffee may even be more caffeinated than traditional hot brewed coffee. Preparing cold brew coffee will require that you steep coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water for an extended period (usually 12-24 hours). The longer your steeping time, the more caffeinated your cold brew coffee will be.
Final Words
Dunkin’s Cold Brew Coffee has millions of fans raving about its distinctive and appealing qualities. Now, you can join their elite club with a lot more information at hand to know exactly how much caffeine you’re drinking.
Dunkin’s Cold Brew is a must-try if you consider yourself a bit of a coffee aficionado. It offers a much better flavor experience without having to worry about acidic tastes. If you’re looking for the perfect caffeinated beverage to start your day, this is the one for you.
