While it may still be frigid and snowy for much of the country, for the coffee companies we know and love, springtime is here. Of course, with spring comes spring menus, and our favorite bitter rivals, Dunkin’ and Starbucks are offering us their best. But how do these two caffeine couriers match up?
The Starbucks’ spring menu
For Starbucks lovers, there’s some disappointment in store. The company only plans to release one new drink with their upcoming menu, rumored to be dropping in stores on March 7. This single sipper is set to be a Cinnamon Caramel Cream Cold Brew, available in both the regular and Nitro Cold Brew versions. This new drink will build on fan-favorite flavors to include a new cinnamon caramel syrup, cinnamon caramel cream cold foam, and cinnamon dolce sprinkles.
While seemingly delicious, this drink does seem a bit lonely in what is meant to be a launch of an entire seasonal menu. But recently, Starbucks has been changing the way they handle their launches. According to coffee blog A Cup Every Day, Starbucks has been shifting towards promoting drinks that are already currently available, as well as pushing more and more customization efforts. To handle this much customization, Starbucks recently announced a patent for a coffee machine that will be able to handle high levels of customization, alleviating the frustrations of many baristas, and allowing for drink creativity.
Starbucks’ slimmed-down launch has offered nothing in the way of a food menu; however, with their history of holiday-themed cake pops, one can only hope for the Earth Day pop to make a surprise comeback this spring season.
The Dunkin’ spring menu
For Starbucks, the spring menu feels more than lackluster. Dunkin’ fans, however, should be ready to indulge.
Released just this past Monday, the Dunkin’ spring menu is made for chocolate lovers. At the forefront of this launch is a new company creation, the Caramel Chocolate Cold Brew — it seems Dunkin’ and Starbucks have opted for different caramel partners this year. The Cold Brew features a rich chocolate cold foam and cocoa caramel sprinkles, creating what the company calls a “crave-worthy sip.”
This drink would likely pair well with a fan-favorite returner, the chocolate croissant; a food item Dunkin’ keeps seasonal, but its competitor offers year-round. On the food front, Dunkin’ has also unveiled a Carrot Cake Muffin, sure to satisfy those looking for a “grab-and-go treat” to help usher in the spring season.
Of course, it wouldn’t be spring without a little luck; the iconic Irish Creme flavor has made a return, shedding its poorly-reviewed green coloring of the past Dunkin’ season. The flavor, a mix of sweet creme, vanilla, and notes of Irish whiskey (sans booze, of course), creates a perfect homage to the month of March and a deliciously sweet morning pick-me-up.
And with the recent Starbucks Reward tier shift, the Dunkin’ offers — including a free medium cold brew with any purchase — seem only ever sweeter. Both companies, though, are pushing more customization, as Starbucks promises more options for drink customizing, and Dunkin’ has introduced the ability to adjust the number of syrup pumps.
But no matter how you like it — cinnamon-y, chocolate-y, or chock full of Irish Creme — the new spring menus from both Dunkin’ and Starbucks will be sure to give you the sweet sips you crave.