If you’ve never traveled west of the Mississippi River, you might not know about Dutch Bros, the western competitor of Starbucks. Like any typical coffee shop, you’ll find the obligatory latte and cold brew on the menu, but interestingly, Dutch Bros does not bother with brewed coffee or many food items.
Instead, they’re a coffee drive-thru that’s known for its sweet, blended coffee drinks and teas. Their “freeze” drinks contain caffeine, while the “frosts” are caffeine-free, in the same way that Starbucks has Frappuccinos and Cremes. There are over 15 freeze flavors on the current Dutch Bros menu, but a few really pop out due to their popularity and creativity. Read on to learn about the different flavors you can try next time you go out west.
What Is a Dutch Bros Freeze?
Imagine espresso shots blended with whole milk, a sweet base powder, and the syrup of the namesake drink. Sounds pretty good, right? A Dutch Bros Freeze is an indulgent drink that’s sweeter and stronger than most blended coffee beverages since it swaps brewed coffee for cooled espresso shots and adds even more sugar than your typical Frappuccino.
If you like sugar, dairy, and coffee, then you’re in luck. Dutch Bros explores the creative side of coffee with fun flavors such as German Chocolate, which sounds like a liquid slice of decadent chocolate cake. However, since the Freezes are made with a pre-mixed base, there are no dairy-free or sugar-free options. Unfortunately, your choices are more limited than some other blended coffees from similar shops if you need a healthier option.
One intriguing fact about the Freeze is that you can swap the classic whipped cream for a soft top, which is slightly whipped buttermilk. We think this sounds like the perfect topping for a sweet and original treat.
The 10 Best Dutch Bros Freeze Flavors:
1. Picture Perfect
Perhaps this freeze flavor is the most popular choice because it combines three beloved flavors into one tasty drink. The Picture Perfect Freeze is blended with coffee, milk, and the freeze base, and then swirled with caramel and chocolate drizzle around the cup and on top of the whipped cream, or soft top, if you prefer. Get your cameras ready, because we think you’re going to want to capture the moment you take your first sip.
2. Caramelizer
Don’t be deceived. The Caramelizer is far from being a basic caramel beverage. Not only does decadent caramel sauce belong in this blended coffee, but this recipe swaps whole milk for chocolate milk. It’s a recurring favorite among Dutch Bros fans, and we see why.
3. Cocomo
Coconut syrup sounds exotic enough to make you feel like you’re on vacation, but the chocolate milk sounds as comforting as a homemade meal. The caffeine in the coffee will bring you back to the present, fueling you for the workday ahead. But that coconut flavor will linger in your memories of this drink and remind you of your dreams about taking a real vacation one day.
4. Golden Eagle
You don’t need an eagle eye to detect that this blended caramel brew soars above typical frozen coffee drinks. Vanilla and caramel syrups topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle make this an ultra-sweet choice that’s kept in check by rich and creamy half-n-half and coffee.
5. Ba Nay-Nay
While the Ba Nay-Nay Freeze isn’t the first dessert to combine bananas and chocolate, it might be the first blended coffee that we’ve known to explore fruity flavors with a dark side.
6. German Chocolate
This freeze whips caramel, coconut, and dark chocolate flavors into a sweet and nutty treat. It sounds like chocolate cake in a cup without the mess of baking.
7. Snickerdoodle
Hints of cinnamon spice up the Snickerdoodle freeze. This drink sounds like anything but basic, with chocolate macadamia nut and white chocolate syrups making this drink taste more like a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie than a classic snickerdoodle.
8. White Zombie
This white chocolate wannabe is sweeter than a mocha since it has vanilla syrup added to the mix. We think it sounds like an ideal late night study drink to keep you awake while everyone else is asleep.
9. Wallaby
While we might not understand the Australian reference, we definitely get why this drink would become a favorite for anyone who loves dark chocolate, caramel, and chocolate macadamia.
10. The Bob
Banana, coconut, and dark chocolate gives you something a little sweet, nutty, and fruity. Thanks, Bob, for making it a delicious day.
Conclusion
Dutch Bros knows how to transform coffee from an ordinary morning ritual to an evening indulgence. Espresso shots paired with whole milk or creamy half-n-half and blended with a sugary powder and flavored syrups make the Freeze drinks something to crave and rave about. It’s no wonder that Dutch Bros is in direct competition with its Seattle-based cousin in the states out west. Our only sorrow is that the Freeze isn’t an option for people with lactose intolerance or a need for a low sugar diet since all of the powders contain sugar and dairy.
Featured Image Credit: Bru-nO, Pixabay
