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What Is A Dunkaccino? History and Popularity

Jason Gass
Last Updated: March 16th, 2023

The Dunkaccino is one of the most popular coffee drinks on the Dunkin’ Donuts menu. But what exactly is this coffee delight? The name makes you think of cappuccinos and donuts.

The Dunkaccino is actually the Dunkin’ Donuts version of a mocha. In this article, we’ll answer the question “What is a Dunkaccino?” by telling you everything you need to know about the popular Dunkin’ Donuts staple.

What is a Dunkaccino?

dunkaccino
Image: John Wardell

Standing in line at Dunkin’ Donuts, behind the person who orders the “Dunkaccino” can bring up a lot of questions. Is it a cappuccino? Is it a cold drink? Can I get that with whipped cream?

These are the questions we asked when we first heard about the Dunkaccino. After many of these experiences, we finally ordered one, just to answer our desperate questions about the Dunkaccino.

The Dunkaccino is less cappuccino and more mocha. The drink is a nod to both coffee and hot chocolate. Dunkin’ offers this drink as a hot beverage and a cold blended version.

The hot option of the Dunkaccino is made with espresso that is blended with hot chocolate. Perhaps it is the use of hot chocolate instead of milk and chocolate syrup that makes the Dunkaccino hot drink so tasty.

Many people compare this drink to the Starbucks mocha frappuccino. While they are similar, the Dunkin’ Dunkaccino is more flavorful in our opinion. Dunkin’ makes the blended version of this treat using their Dunkaccino powder, water, and ice.

The ingredients of the Dunkaccino powder are sugar, non-dairy cream, powdered sweet cream, instant espresso, cocoa, powdered milk, and a few fillers. When mixed with water and ice, this dry concoction turns into the popular and very delicious Dunkaccino.

When the Dunkaccino made its debut on the Dunkin’ menu, it was a standard option on the regular menu. Today, however, it is a seasonal offering, making it even more popular and sometimes difficult to find in some markets.

A History of Dunkaccinos

a history of dunkaccinos

There is a bit of debate as to when the Dunkaccino first hit the Dunkin’ Donuts menu. The hot version was the original option and has been noted on the Dunkin’ menu clear back to 1999.

For a while, the Dunkaccino was only a seasonal menu item, but as Dunkin’ Donuts grew and their coffee became more popular, the hot Dunkaccino was moved to their regular menu.

The Dunkaccino hit the big time, thanks to a very bizarre, yet funny fake commercial featuring Al Pacino which was featured in the film Jack & Jill, it was a driving force in making the Dunkaccino so popular for many years.

Dunkin’ followed the success of their hot Dunkaccino with a blended version. This blended version hit the Dunkin’ Donuts menu around the same time Starbucks introduced their Frappuccino, also a cold, blended coffee drink. The cold Dunkaccino was a hit and is a popular alternative to the Frappuccino.

Today, as consumers are moving their coffee preferences to healthier options Dunkaccino has once again moved from the regular menu to the special menu. The hot Dunkaccino is an offering on the winter special menu in certain regions.

The blended version of the Dunkaccino is added to the summer special menu. Keep in mind that not all Dunkin’ Donuts offers the Dunkaccino, so it may not be available where you live.

Make A Dunkaccino At Home

make a dunkaccino at home

If you are one of the many, many people that love the Dunkaccino and want to make it at home, it is really quite easy.

For the hot version, you will use a good quality coffee or espresso, whole milk, and chocolate syrup. The blend of ingredients will really depend on how you like your coffee. However, for the most authentic Dunkaccino experience, make sure that your drink is balanced between coffee and chocolate flavors.

For the blended version, you will use the same ingredients, plus ice. All of the ingredients are placed in a blender and mixed until smooth.

Our only other hint about the ingredients you use is to pick up some Dunkin’ Donuts ground coffee or coffee beans from your local store. This will give you the same flavor base as is used in the Dunkin’ Donuts stores.

Final Thoughts

There are few food and beverage options that have an almost cult-like following. The Dunkaccino is one of them. This delicious and once-popular coffee drink has had its ups and downs. Today, it is still popular in certain parts of the country, but it has fallen from the regular Dunkin’ menu and landed on their seasonal menus.

If you love the Dunkaccino, keep your eyes out for it in the summer and winter. If you can’t find the Dunkaccino at your local Dunkin’ Donuts store, you can easily make your own at home.

About The Author

Jason Gass

Jason Gass is a Colorado based freelance writer and blogger whose goal is to share a good cup of coffee and great stories around a campfire with close friends. When he’s not working, he spends most of his time traveling, searching for the best breweries, and road-tripping in his teardrop trailer with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.

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