Dunkin’ Bids Farewell to This Nondairy Milk and These Drinks
Dunkin’ is set to remove coconut milk from its U.S. locations by the end of the year. Despite bidding farewell to coconut milk in 2023, Dunkin’ assured customers of upcoming…
Dunkin' is set to remove coconut milk from its U.S. locations by the end of the year. Despite bidding farewell to coconut milk in 2023, Dunkin' assured customers of upcoming beverage innovations in 2024.
As reported by Nations Restaurant News, a Dunkin' spokesperson stated, "New and exciting beverage innovations are on the horizon in 2024 to provide guests with a growing variety of both coffee and non-coffee drinks to enjoy."
While coconut milk will no longer be an option, customers can still savor their favorite Dunkin' drinks with alternative nondairy substitutes like almond and oat milk. Unfortunately, the removal of coconut milk spells the end for the Coconut Refreshers lineup, featuring colorful drinks that combine coconut milk and flavored iced tea. However, Refreshers can still be ordered with a green tea base.
Dunkin's decision to reduce its plant-based dairy alternatives.
The reason behind Dunkin's decision to reduce its plant-based dairy alternatives remains unknown. One industry analyst, Rober Byrne from Technomic, a food service consulting company, suggested that the move might be due to the higher cost of coconut milk or its relative unpopularity compared to other nondairy options. Byrne told CNN, "Coconut milk is 'the most expensive nondairy' option."
Coconut milk now joins the menu graveyard alongside the Dunkaccino, which Dunkin' removed earlier this year. The Dunkaccino was discreetly removed from the coffee chain's menus, ending its more than two-decade tenure as the drink that combined coffee and hot chocolate.
Introduced as the third nondairy option in late April 2021, coconut milk debuted with the Coconut Refreshers and a Coconut Milk Iced Latte. Jill Nelson, Dunkin's vice president of marketing and culinary, expressed excitement at the time, saying, "The start of the summer season is the perfect time to expand our menu with coconut milk, another exciting nondairy choice for our guests. Dunkin' is crafting the coolest coconut milk beverages to keep our guests refreshed and running, throughout summer and all year long."
