Dunkalatte is Back: How You Can Make It At Home

Let’s be real—mornings can be chaotic, especially when juggling work deadlines, lunch boxes, and trying to remember if you brushed your hair. 

If your daily coffee is your one sacred moment of peace (me too!), then you need to meet your new morning BFF: the Dunkalatte.

Inspired by the cult-favorite drink from Dunkin’ Donuts, this homemade version is rich, creamy, and packed with that bold coffee flavor you crave—without the drive-thru wait or the additional charge from extra Munchkins donut hole treats. 

Whether you’re powering through emails or sneaking five quiet minutes before the house wakes up, this easy Dunkalatte recipe is here to give you a little caffeine-fueled me time.

Ready to skip the Dunkin’ order line and level up your home coffee game? 

Let’s make a Dunkalatte you’ll look forward to every morning (even Monday)!

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What is a Dunkalatte?

The new Dunkalatte, which was introduced to the Dunkin’ fall menu in 2024, features Rhode Island’s official state beverage.

And in case, like me, you’re not a native of Rhode Island, let me explain the concept of coffee milk.

Essentially, coffee milk is a sweet, creamy drink made by mixing coffee syrup with milk—think of it as the coffee-lovers’ version of chocolate milk.

Add ice and espresso, and you have a coffee milk latte, otherwise known as a Dunkalatte.

The drink was such a hit on Dunkin’s fall menu that they brought it back for a limited time this spring. 

Thanks to this recipe, you can make a custom version of it from the comfort of your kitchen at any time of the year!

What’s in the Dunkalatte?

The Dunkalatte has a reputation for being an ultra-smooth drink thanks to the inclusion of whole milk.

In addition to the whole milk, Dunkin’ adds its own coffee extract, but you can add whatever type of coffee you have on hand.

Add more coffee if you want a bold flavor and less for a weak coffee flavor.

The coffee-flavored milk featured in the national coffee shop chain has plenty of sugar added to it as well.

But I prefer a less sweet version, achieved by adding less homemade simple syrup. 

Add some ice and a shot (or two) of espresso; you’ve got everything you need for this recipe.

Easy Dunkalatte Recipe

Mom Life Pro Tips

• Save your leftover brew: ​Whenever you have coffee leftover, pop it in a pitcher in the fridge so when your afternoon caffeine craving rolls around, you’re halfway to a refreshing Dunkalatte. 
• Level up with a frother: If you’ve got 30 seconds and a milk frother (they’re like $15 and totally worth it!), froth your milk before adding it in. It makes your homemade Dunkalatte feel like a fancy barista-made drink—without someone shouting your name wrong across a counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the unhealthiest drinks on the Dunkin’ menu?

All national coffee chains offer drinks that are way too big with too much sugar and caffeine.

When it comes to Dunkin’ locations, there are several coffee drinks I would consider unhealthy, and a few are long-time fan favorites.

• Caramel Craze Iced Signature Latte
• Cocoa Mocha Iced Signature Latte
• Matcha Latte

You can make any drink healthier by opting for a smaller size or asking for less added sweetener. 

How much sugar is in a Dunkalatte?

A small Dunkalatte has 29 grams of sugar. But making it at home allows you to add less sugar without sacrificing much taste, especially when you use whole milk.

With whole milk, the drink tastes like a melty milkshake with a bold coffee taste, and you’re guaranteed to fall in love at first sip!

Can you add flavor syrup to the Dunkalatte?

Absolutely! Thanks to this fun coffee drink concept, you have all kinds of creative options for additional flavor notes.

Try adding chocolate syrup or even caramel. Almond flavor syrup might also be a great option for adding a hint of flavor to this drink.

Can you get a dairy-free version of the Dunkalatte at Dunkin’?

Unfortunately, Dunkin’s Dunkalatte is not dairy-free, and they do not offer plant-based milk options for customizing this particular drink.

But if you make the drink yourself at home, you can easily use your preferred type of milk. 

Almond milk would taste great, as would oat milk. 

What are other drinks similar to the Dunkalatte?

The iced coffee craze has brought us classics like the cold brew and even iced lattes.

​And the Dunkalatte is essentially an iced latte with a bit of extra touch of coffee thanks to the addition of both coffee and espresso. 

If you love the deeper taste of the Dunkalatte, try these other recipes:

• DIY Caribou Honey Lavender Shaker
• Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Latte
• Pumpkin Spice Latte

Final Thoughts on the Dunkalatte

Let’s face it—some mornings are just about survival. But with a homemade Dunkalatte in your hand, survival tastes a lot smoother.

This drink is more than just coffee; it’s a moment of calm in the chaos, a tiny ritual that says, “You’ve got this, mama.” 

Whether you’re sipping between Zoom calls or hiding in the pantry for five blessed minutes of peace (no judgment), this easy recipe gives you big flavor without the big price tag—or the carpool line.

So go ahead, give yourself something to look forward to tomorrow morning. Your coffee break just got a glow-up.

And hey, if you try your own twist on the Dunkalatte, let me know in the comments—I’m always down to chat coffee!