Dunkin’ Releases a New Limited-Time ‘Dunkalatte’ Made with Coffee Milk

Cozy fall weather calls for something comforting to sip on, and luckily Dunkin’ has a new drink that should do just the trick: the Dunkalatte. This is Dunkin’s first-ever coffee milk latte, and it’s described as a beverage that “sips like a latte and tastes like a malty milkshake,” although it can be ordered either iced or hot.

The new offering is made with both espresso and coffee milk, which is a blend of whole milk and coffee extract. The latter is what sets it apart from a traditional latte, typically made with regular whole milk. Dunkin’ is so excited about the creamy coffee drink that it’s currently selling a limited-edition line of Dunkalatte-themed merch, including items like a beanie and sweatpants. Beyond that, the coffee chain even paired up with comedian and SNL alum Kristen Wiig as the star of the Dunkalatte campaign.

What is coffee milk?

Dunkin’ is aware that the concept of “coffee milk” might be confusing — their campaign with Wiig pokes fun at the vague term. But coffee milk is, in fact, a very real thing, and it’s been the state drink of Rhode Island since 1993.

You can think of coffee milk as something akin to chocolate milk: It’s made of milk with either coffee syrup or coffee extract stirred into it. The result is milkier and subltler in flavor than a typical cup of coffee, so it’s ideal for someone who wants a milder beverage.

What is coffee extract?

Coffee extract is made in the same way as vanilla extract, except that it’s made with coffee beans instead of vanilla. Crushed coffee beans are infused into alcohol or an alcohol substitute — usually over the course of a few weeks — to create a liquid with an intense coffee flavor, so it can pack a punch with a small amount.

The Dunkalatte is made with coffee extract, which does have caffeine in it, although Dunkin’ hasn’t specified how much additional caffeine its new drink contains. If it does have more caffeine compared to a standard latte, it’s likely only a small amount. But if you’re sensitive to the stimulant, it’s probably best to ask your barista to be sure before ordering.

The new beverage only contains three things: espresso, whole milk, and coffee extract, so it doesn’t have any sweeteners or syrups added. This means patrons can customize the drink if they want something sweeter, and the brand says incorporating mocha syrup is an excellent idea.

Kristen Wiig’s connection to the Dunkalatte campaign comes as a continuation of the chain’s partnership with Artists Equity, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s production company. As with everything the comedian does, the commercial for this milky coffee concoction is hilarious, relying on her ability to switch characters as a method for explaining what, in fact, a Dunkalatte actually is — and why you should try it.

Whether you’re intrigued by the idea of coffee milk or you simply want to sample Kristen Wiig’s new favorite drink, the Dunkalatte is now available nationwide as a limited-time offering.