What Is Dunkin's Dunkalatte, and How Can You Customize This Coffee Milk Drink?

Dunkin' Donuts recently introduced the Dunkalatte, a twist on Rhode Island’s famous coffee milk drink. Made with sweet coffee syrup and milk, this fall favorite blends Dunkin’s coffee extract and espresso for a creamy, iced latte experience. Customers are already customizing it for their tastes.

Dunkin's Dunkalatte Pays Homage to Rhode Island’s Coffee Milk, Offering a Sweet Fall Favorite

In late August 2024, Dunkin' Donuts unveiled its fall menu, featuring popular seasonal favorites like the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte alongside an exciting new addition: the Dunkalatte. According to Tasting Table, this latest offering is Dunkin's first take on Rhode Island’s official state drink, coffee milk, a beloved New England staple that originated between the 1920s and 1930s. Traditionally, coffee milk is made by blending sweet coffee syrup with milk, and Dunkin’s version stays true to its roots.

According to Dunkin', their coffee is crafted with whole milk and the chain’s proprietary coffee extract, staying faithful to the traditional recipe that uses Autocrat or Eclipse coffee syrup. Combined with rich espresso, the Dunkalatte balances an iced latte and a milkshake, making it a hit among Dunkin' fans. Some customers have even started swapping Dunkin’s coffee milk into their cold brews, drip coffees, and iced coffees for a sweeter, creamier coffee experience.

However, it’s worth noting that the Dunkalatte is quite sweet due to the coffee syrup, and unlike other drinks on the menu, it cannot be made with alternative milk options. For those looking to customize their Dunkalatte, reducing or omitting additional flavor swirls or shots is advisable to avoid overwhelming the drink with sweetness.

Recreate Dunkin's Dunkalatte at Home with Simple Ingredients and Customizable Sweetness

Like many seasonal offerings, the Dunkalatte will be around for a while. With its limited availability during the fall, fans of the coffee-milk drink may want to learn how to make it at home. The good news is that coffee milk is incredibly simple to recreate, requiring two ingredients: coffee syrup and milk.

Autocrat and Eclipse coffee syrups can be easily found at grocery stores or online retailers like Walmart and Amazon. Opt for full-fat dairy milk or a creamy alternative like barista edition oat milk for the best results.

The typical recipe calls for half a cup of coffee syrup for every four cups of milk, but one of the perks of making it yourself is the freedom to adjust the sweetness to your liking. Feel free to experiment by adding pumpkin spice, mocha, or hazelnut flavors. For a Dunkalatte-inspired twist, add a shot of espresso to the mix, replicating the rich, creamy texture of Dunkin's seasonal favorite.