COPYCATSDunkin Iced Coffee (Copycat)
The quick answer
Brew 6 oz of medium-roast coffee at double strength (3 tbsp grounds per 6 oz water), let it cool, then pour over a full glass of ice. Add 2 tbsp whole milk or cream and 1-2 tbsp simple syrup. Costs about $0.75 vs. $3.50 at Dunkin.
Dunkin' serves over 3 million iced coffees per day across its US locations, according to company reporting. The drink itself is straightforward: double-strength medium-roast coffee over ice with cream and sugar. You can make it at home for under a dollar.
Dunkin's iced coffee is not cold brew. It's hot-brewed coffee cooled down and poured over ice, which means it's more acidic and slightly bolder than cold brew. The key is brewing it at double strength so it doesn't taste watered-down when the ice melts. Use a 1:8 ratio (1 gram of coffee per 8 grams of water) for a regular iced coffee.
The medium-roast matters. Dunkin uses a proprietary medium-roast blend. The closest match available nationally is Dunkin's own bagged coffee, sold at most grocery stores for around $8 to $10 per bag. That makes roughly 40 servings, or $0.20 to $0.25 in coffee per drink. Folgers Classic Roast is a budget alternative that comes surprisingly close.
Dunkin's flavor swirls (caramel, mocha, vanilla, hazelnut) are flavored syrups, not sauces. They're pre-sweetened. To replicate a flavored Dunkin iced coffee at home, use flavored simple syrups from Torani or make your own. One bottle of Torani runs $7 to $9 and makes about 30 servings, adding $0.25 to $0.30 per drink.
Cost comparison: a medium Dunkin iced coffee runs $3.19 to $3.99. The homemade version comes in at $0.70 to $0.90 including a flavor swirl. Weekly savings for a daily drinker: about $18 to $22. Annual savings: roughly $1,000.
Dial it in before you make it
Nail the cafe sweetness — exactly how many pumps of syrup per size.
| Measurement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pumps | 3 |
| Tablespoons | 1.5 tbsp |
| Volume | 22.5 mL |
| Approx. calories (regular syrup) | ~60 cal |
Sugar-free syrup ≈ 0 calories. 1 pump ≈ 0.25 fl oz / 7.5 mL / 0.5 tbsp / ~20 cal. Based on standard cafe pump chart.
Make it
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Steps
We tested this head-to-head against a fresh Dunkin iced coffee using their own bagged grocery store coffee. Most tasters could not distinguish the two when both were made with the same milk and syrup. The homemade version was actually slightly more consistent, since you control the brew strength.
Pro tips
- Use Dunkin's own grocery-store coffee for the most authentic flavor. The Original Blend medium roast matches best.
- For a caramel swirl version, add 2 tbsp caramel syrup instead of plain simple syrup.
- Brew a big batch double-strength and refrigerate for up to 5 days. It's ready to pour over ice anytime.
- If your iced coffee tastes watered-down, you didn't brew strong enough. Add an extra tablespoon of grounds next time.
- For a French Vanilla version, add 2 tbsp Torani French Vanilla syrup and use half-and-half instead of milk.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to make Dunkin iced coffee at home vs. buying it?
A medium Dunkin iced coffee costs $3.19 to $3.99. Making it at home with Dunkin's grocery-store coffee, milk, and syrup costs about $0.75 per serving. Daily drinkers save approximately $1,000 per year by switching to homemade.
What coffee does Dunkin use for their iced coffee?
Dunkin uses a proprietary medium-roast blend for their iced coffee. Their Original Blend is available bagged at most major grocery stores for $8 to $10. It's the most accurate home substitute. Folgers Classic Roast and McCafe Medium Roast are cheaper alternatives with a similar flavor profile.
Why does my homemade iced coffee taste watery?
You're likely not brewing strong enough. Iced coffee needs to be made at double strength because the ice dilutes it as it melts. Use 3 tablespoons of grounds per 6 oz of water, which is twice the standard ratio. Also, let the coffee cool before pouring over ice to reduce early dilution.
Is Dunkin iced coffee the same as cold brew?
No. Dunkin's standard iced coffee is hot-brewed and chilled, while cold brew is steeped in cold water for 12-24 hours. Cold brew is smoother, less acidic, and slightly sweeter. Dunkin does sell a separate cold brew product that is brewed differently.
Can I make Dunkin's caramel, mocha, or vanilla iced coffee at home?
Yes. Dunkin's flavor swirls are flavored syrups. Add 2 tbsp of Torani Caramel, Torani Mocha, or Torani French Vanilla syrup to your homemade iced coffee. These are pre-sweetened, so reduce or skip your plain simple syrup.
