There are several non-coffee-based drinks available at Dunkin’ for people who want to change things up, like Coletta’s, vanilla chai tea, etc. Many people who switch to another beverage want to know how much caffeine is in their new drink — for example, do the fruit-flavored Dunkin’ Refreshers contain caffeine? The short answer is yes, so keep reading as we take a closer look at these beverages to see how much caffeine is in them and how that amount compares to those of other drinks.
Do Dunkin’ Refreshers Have Caffeine?
Yes, Dunkin’ Refreshers have green tea in their ingredients and B vitamins to help provide an alternative to coffee. The 16-ounce (small) Strawberry Dragon fruit or Peach Passion Fruit contains about 66 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, while the large 32-ounce cups contain about 132 mg. The popular Coconut Refresher may also return to the menu, which will have a similar amount of caffeine because it contains the same amount of green tea. Dunkin’ points out that the actual amount of caffeine in green tea can vary, so the caffeine in your Refresher can also vary slightly.
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Dunkin’ Refreshers Caffeine Compared to Other Beverages
A 16-ounce Dunkin’ Refresher typically contains about 66 mg of caffeine, a little over 4 mg per ounce. The average cup of green tea contains 30–50 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup, which works out to be between 3.75 and 6.25 mg per ounce, so the two drinks are similar in caffeine content. Regular homebrew coffee contains between 95 and 140 mg per cup, or 12–17.2 mg per ounce, so it’s quite a bit more potent. Espresso, which many Dunkin’ beverages use as an ingredient, contains even more caffeine. There’s typically 63 mg of caffeine in a 1–1.75 ounce shot. You can expect to find espresso in beverages like lattes, cappuccinos, macchiato, and americanos. Soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi tend to contain between 32 and 42 mg of caffeine, while typical energy drinks tend to increase it to between 72 and 80 mg per serving, with many cans containing two servings.
Dunkin’ Refresher Caffeine Comparison
| Beverage | Serving Size in Ounces | Caffeine Content per Serving in mg | Caffeine Content per Ounce in mg |
| Dunkin’ Refresher | 16 | 66 | 4.13 |
| Green Tea | 8 | 30–50 | 3.75–6.25 |
| Coffee | 8 | 95–140 | 12–17 |
| Espresso | 1–1.75 | 63 | 36–63 |
| Soda | 12 | 32–42 | 2.66–3.5 |
| Energy Drinks | 8 | 72 – 80 | 9–10 |
How Much Caffeine Is Safe?
Most experts recommend keeping your caffeine intake below 400 milligrams per day to minimize the risk of health problems. Too much caffeine can make you nervous, sleepless, and restless, and it might even lead to vomiting or diarrhea. It can also increase your blood pressure and cause muscle tremors and heart problems if you consume too much. More than 400 mg per day can also have a diuretic effect on the body, dehydrating the kidneys and bladder and increasing the risk of stones. Attempting to stop drinking caffeine after consuming large amounts for an extended period can also lead to health problems, like a bad headache, restlessness, and sleeplessness.
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Conclusion
Dunkin’ Refreshers use green tea as an ingredient, which is a natural source of caffeine, so you can expect each of your drinks to contain a little over 4 mg per serving, or 66 mg in a small and 132 mg in a large. However, this caffeine amount is quite low compared to many other coffee drinks and is more in line with standard green tea or a can of soda. However, if you drink many other caffeinated beverages, you will need to make sure you keep the caffeine amount below 400 mg each day to avoid health problems.
Featured Image Credit By: Jorge Fernández Salas, Unsplash
