Dunkin’ vs. Starbucks Vanilla Drinks

Vanilla coffee is a game-changer!

Recently there’s been an influx of flavored coffee on the market. Both Starbucks and Dunkin have started to use flavoring to make their drinks complex and unique. 

Starbucks Vanilla Drinks 

Starbucks vanilla drinks are a fan favorite. Not only can you get a vanilla latte, but vanilla has been added to popular drinks like cold brews and frappuccinos to give the drink a warm and toasty taste.  

Plus, in true Starbucks form, you can add vanilla flavoring to any drink you like. However, since that list would be the entire Starbucks menu, we have decided to stick to only coffee drinks that specifically state that they have vanilla in the ingredients. 

To make these one-of-a-kind drinks, Starbucks uses vanilla coffee syrup or, in some cases, vanilla bean powder. However, they don’t use french vanilla syrup like Dunkin uses. Although one perk of their syrup choices is that can, you can order sugar-free vanilla drinks. This addition is great for people who are diabetic or simply looking out for their figure.  

Now, let’s get to the coffee; Starbucks offers the following vanilla coffee choices: 

Blonde Vanilla Latte 

It’s the simplest things that we tend to love the most. The classic blond vanilla latte is certainly a favorite among customers. It features blonde espresso, steamed milk, and vanilla. Plus, it’s made with softly roasted coffee beans to be one of Starbucks’ most caffeinated drinks. 

Now, this latte can be made either hot or iced. However, no matter which way you order it, each sip is guaranteed to be smooth and creamy. It’s the perfect drink for anyone who loves the sweetness of vanilla and the toastiness of espresso. 

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew 

This cold brew coffee is certainly a vanilla lover’s dream. It features vanilla in not one but two ways!  

First, the vanilla syrup is mixed together with slow stemmed cold brew coffee and ice. Then, a splash of vanilla sweet cream is mixed in the drink to create a cascade of flavors throughout the cup. 

This concoction is perfect for waking you up in the early hours of the morning. Plus, the smooth and creamy texture makes this drink irresistible. If it’s not your favorite yet, then it soon will be.  

Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew 

Now, you might have heard of nitro cold brew. This popular sensation is known for its velvety smooth texture, and boy does it not disappoint. Plus, with the sweetened flavor of vanilla sweet cream mixed throughout the drink, it’s simply delightful.  

You can order this drink topped with sweet cream foam like a regular cold brew.

Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew Tip

Order the sweet cream foam; the combination of it all is when you get the tastiest sip. 

Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino

Frappuccinos are often compared to milkshakes rather than true coffee drinks. As a result, they’re generally sweeter, thicker, and have more calories than other drinks on the menu. For example, a tall caffe vanilla Frappuccino has 280 calories, while a tall vanilla sweet cream nitro cold brew only has 90 calories. 

So if you’ve never had a Frappuccino, a good place to start is with a vanilla Frappuccino. It tastes very similar to a vanilla latte. 

In fact, it features vanilla bean powder, coffee Frappuccino roast, and milk. Plus, it has a topping of whipped cream, and who can say no to that!

Now, the vanilla Frappuccino is perfect for drinking anytime during the day. Just take into consideration that it contains more sugar than other drinks. 

However, if you’re not a fan of coffee, you can always order the Caffe Vanilla Creme Frappuccino, which has no coffee in it, making it caffeine-free. The vanilla creme Frappuccino tastes very similar to a vanilla milkshake, making it the perfect option for kids or a great treat when you’re out and about. 

Dunkin’ Vanilla Drinks  

Dunkin’ offers only a couple of vanilla drinks. Unlike Starbucks, Dunkin’ doesn’t provide any specialty vanilla coffee; instead, they stick to the recipes they know best.  

To make these flavorful drinks, Dunkin’ uses french vanilla syrup. Now, if you don’t know, french vanilla is smoother and tends to taste richer than regular vanilla. It’s often referred to as premium-grade vanilla.  

However, Dunkin’ doesn’t offer any sugar-free vanilla drinks like Starbucks does. So keep that in mind when ordering your next coffee at Dunkin. 

Now let’s take a look at some vanilla coffee; Dunkin’ serves the following:   

French Vanilla Coffee  

This simple coffee shouldn’t be overlooked. It features Dunkin’s signature coffee which is made from 100% Arabica beans, plus a few pumps of french vanilla syrup. The mixture of the two is certainly a must-have.  

Now, you can order it as a hot coffee or as an iced coffee. Both are equally as creamy and smooth. However, the hot coffee accentuates both flavors, making it the more superior of the two. 

French Vanilla Coffee Tip

Make sure you take into consideration not only if you like it iced or hot but also how the flavor profiles mix with each other. 

For a simple cup like this, it’s better to go with how the recipe was intended to drink. So instead of getting it iced, try the coffee hot once in a while and trust us, you won’t go back. 

French Vanilla Latte

This classic coffee never goes out of style. It’s perfect for early mornings meetings or late night shifts, making it a great addition to your everyday routine. It’s made with steamed milk, ground and brewed espresso, along with a few pumps of french vanilla syrup. Plus, it comes topped with a layer of foam for the perfect balance of creamy and decadent. 

Not to mention you can order the French vanilla latte, either hot or iced. That way, you can enjoy this classic coffee the way you like. 

French Vanilla Cappuccino 

This bold coffee is not, particularly for everyone. Due to its striking taste, people either love it or hate it. The recipe features freshly brewed espresso beans steamed milk, then all together mixed with french vanilla syrup. Plus, it’s topped with a thick layer of foam to smooth out the layers. 

Now, french vanilla cappuccinos can either be ordered hot or iced. That way, you can enjoy your coffee the way you prefer. 

Which Is Better? 

This brittle battle between the two large coffee chains has gone on long enough. It’s time to see who has won once and for all. 

Due to its variety, Starbucks has certainly defeated Dunkin for the best vanilla coffee. Starbucks not only has staples like the vanilla latte but has also incorporated fan favorites like the vanilla sweet cream cold brew and vanilla Frappunico to its menu. 

As for Dunkin’s drinks, sadly, they are not unique or special. You could order them at any local coffee shop, making them relatively common and unremarkable. 

In fact, Dunkin only offers a couple of drinks where you can order the french vanilla flavor shots. Now yes, Dunkin does provide customers with premium-grade vanilla, unlike Starbucks. Although, Starbucks offers sugar-free vanilla syrup for customers that may be diabetic or simply watching their weight. By offering sugar-free options, Starbucks showcases its inclusiveness for people’s medical conditions and disorders. Therefore, Starbucks slides in at first place not only for its uniquely crafted drink options but for its various vanilla syrups and substitutions. 

Purchase Vanilla Coffee Today  

One of the most sought-after flavors is vanilla. Both Starbucks and Dunkin incorporate vanilla by mixing it into their most popular drinks. 

Now, it can’t be denied that Starbucks offers more specialty vanilla drinks while Dunkin serves more traditional coffee. However, both chains provide good, quality coffee that no one can beat unless you make your coffee yourself. So while Starbucks may be better, Dunkin is still good in its own right.