Copycat Dunkin Donuts Frozen Coffee Recipe You Can Make at Home

This frozen coffee recipe is amazing—rich, cold, and perfectly slushy. I love it, but because I’m watching my weight I don’t indulge every day. Still, this drink has a long history with me, so here’s the story and a clear, refined recipe you can make at home.

Love at first taste (my first frozen coffee)

My love for frozen coffee goes back decades. The first time I tried it was around 1997 when I was ten. I was at Cheltenham Mall with my mom and her friend Carla. My mom bought a frozen coffee and shared a sip with me—one sip felt like the best thing my palate had ever met. I begged for more but she only allowed one more small sip because adults often limited kids’ caffeine back then.

I remember church kids being allowed only tea while adults drank coffee. We would sneak sips when no one was looking. To me, coffee always felt like an adult treat.

Dunkin Donuts coffee Coolatta

About five years later, in the early 2000s, I was 15 and went to Dunkin’ with my grandma Viola. I wasn’t into donuts but I noticed someone carrying a frozen coffee that looked and smelled just like that drink I remembered. I ordered a Coolatta—coffee flavor—and from the first sip I was hooked. For a while I grabbed one every morning before school and friends started calling me the Coolatta boy.

My frozen coffee addiction became contagious🤣🤦🏾‍♂️

As an adult I introduced friends and family to the Coolatta and they loved it too. Around 2015 Dunkin’ discontinued the Coffee Coolatta and replaced it with a stronger-tasting frozen coffee. I was upset at first—the Coolatta had a milder, balanced coffee/cappuccino profile and a smoother ice texture. The new Dunkin Frozen Coffee tastes more like straight coffee, with coarser ice. Dunkin explained they wanted to appeal to coffee lovers by intensifying the coffee flavor.

Over time I adjusted. They also added options for flavored syrups—caramel, butter pecan, vanilla, hazelnut—which help tailor sweetness and flavor.

Why I created this frozen coffee recipe

My cousin Krystal suggested I develop a copycat frozen coffee recipe since she was always picking one up for me. After Dunkin changed their offering I wanted a homemade version that captured the Coolatta-style balance—smooth, slushy, slightly sweet, and creamy. The recipe below is customizable, so you can adjust sweetness and flavorings to taste.

Ingredients you’ll need:

These ingredients create a copycat Dunkin-style frozen coffee. Adjust or omit items to make it yours.

• Coffee: I recommend unsweetened cold brew as the base.
• Cream: Liquid creamer or half-and-half to add creaminess and lighten the coffee.
• Sugar: A small amount to balance bitterness; optional if you prefer less sweetness.
• Flavoring syrup: Optional—adds signature flavors like butter pecan, vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut.
• Ice: Essential for a slushy texture.
• Whipped cream: Optional topping for extra creaminess and presentation.

How To Make Dunkin Frozen Coffee

1. Shake or stir the cold brew well, then pour it into a blender.
2. Add the creamer to achieve a pleasant color and creamy texture.
3. Add sugar and any flavoring syrups, then stir briefly to distribute heavier syrups that settle to the bottom.

   

4. Add the ice and blend until smooth and uniform—no visible ice chips remain.

   

5. Optionally add whipped cream to the blender for extra richness, then blend again briefly. Whipped cream is optional; it adds a silky mouthfeel and a topping for presentation.

   
   

Tips for best results:

• Stir before blending: Heavy syrups sink to the bottom; stirring before blending helps evenly distribute flavors.
• Blend thoroughly: Blend until the ice is fully incorporated and you no longer see clear ice fragments—this ensures a smooth drink without scratchy chips when sipping through a straw.

What to top it with:

• Whipped cream: Reddi-Wip is commonly used, but any whipped topping will do.
• Chocolate or caramel: Drizzle syrup over the top or around the inside of the cup for extra flavor and a professional look.
• Chocolate shavings or chips: A sprinkle over the whipped cream pairs beautifully with coffee.

Storage and reblending

• Storage: Freeze leftovers in a covered container to prevent freezer burn.
• Reblending: Thaw slightly until slushy, or add a splash of creamer and a little coffee and reblend to restore the frozen texture.

Best coffee and options

• Cold-brew black coffee: Convenient, consistent, and ready to use straight from the fridge.
• Homemade chilled coffee: Brew, chill, and use your own coffee if you prefer fresh-brewed flavor.
• Unsweetened coffee: Use unsweetened coffee so you can control the sweetness.
• Flavored or creamed bottled coffee: If you use pre-sweetened or creamed bottled coffee, reduce added sugar or creamer accordingly.

Creamer and substitutions

Liquid creamers come in many flavors—hazelnut, vanilla, caramel, butter pecan, and more. I typically use original liquid creamer, but flavored creamers can replace flavored syrups. Powdered creamer works too; adjust amount to get the desired color and richness.

Whipped cream: why use it?

Whipped cream adds a creamy finish and visual appeal. Reddi-Wip is a common choice, but Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream also work. It’s optional—the drink is still excellent without it.

Best flavoring syrups

Popular syrups include caramel, hazelnut, butter pecan, and vanilla. Start with the quantities in the recipe and adjust to taste. If you use a flavored creamer, you may not need syrup of the same flavor.

Do you need sugar if using syrup?

Syrups are sweet, so you can reduce or omit added sugar if you prefer. I use a small amount of sugar to deepen the sweetness when I don’t rely solely on syrup. If you want a less sweet drink, skip the sugar and taste as you go.

Other frozen beverages you might like:

• Easy Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
• Classic Frozen Margarita

Equipment:

• Measuring cups and spoons: For consistent results.
• Blender: Essential for creating a smooth, slushy texture.
• Spoon or spatula: To stir syrups and mix ingredients before blending.

Enjoy making this frozen coffee at home. It’s easily customizable—double the ingredients to serve more people, reduce sugar or syrups to suit your diet, or try different creamers and syrups until you find your perfect balance. If you make it, take a photo and share your version on social media with a tag to the creator if you like.

Enjoy, later.
Pbj~