With so many coffee drinks out there, how do you mix it up and try something new, especially in the summer months when iced coffee and frosty drinks reign supreme? 

The Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolatta has long been a favorite summer treat for coffee lovers since the creamy sensation was introduced to the world in the mid-90s. Its icy texture and sweet, nutty flavor are a great way to take your warm-weather coffee game to the next level. 

Unfortunately, Dunkin’ Donuts phased out its signature frozen coffee drink in 2017. But with a blender and a few minutes of your time, you can make one of your own and relive the original Coffee Coolatta goodness you’ve been missing!

Read on to learn more about the Coolatta and how to create one for yourself.

What is a Coffee Coolatta?

At its core, a Coffee Coolatta is a blended coffee drink similar to a Starbucks Frappuccino.

Essentially, it’s a coffee slushie. It’s thick, creamy, and made with a strong coffee flavor to give your morning or afternoon a caffeinated kick.

How is a Coffee Coolatta made? 

There are many different ways to make a Coffee Coolatta, depending on how sweet you want your drink, how you want to flavor it, or even if you want to add an extra kick of something special.

The most popular recipe includes coffee, milk, and a variety of syrups, specifically hazelnut and vanilla. But you can create a mocha or caramel Coolatta with just a few tweaks, like adding chocolate caramel syrup. 

What is the Difference Between Iced Coffee and a Coffee Coolatta? 

While iced coffee is simply cold coffee served over ice cubes with added milk and flavoring, the Coffee Coolatta is a frozen coffee beverage that is blended so that it has a slushie texture.

Depending on your preference, it can be thicker or runnier by adding more or less ice into the mix.

How does a Coffee Coolatta taste? 

Do you like milkshakes, ice cream, and other cold, indulgent treats? Then you’ll love the Coffee Coolatta!

Coolattas have a light, sweet, refreshing coffee taste that’s perfect for an early-afternoon pick-me-up. It can be super indulgent, depending on how much syrup and sweeteners are added to the mix. It can also be customized to include flavors like chocolate or caramel. 

How to Make a Coffee Coolatta

Making your own Coffee Coolatta from home couldn’t be simpler; you just need a few simple ingredients and a blender, and you’ll have a decadent caffeinated treat in minutes!

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup of coffee (cold)
• 1 cup of milk or non-dairy milk alternative
• 2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup, or more to taste
• 1 tablespoon of hazelnut syrup, or more to taste
• 2 cups of ice
• Whipped cream (as much as you want!)
• Toppings like chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, or caramel syrup (optional)

Instructions

1. First off, remember to cool your coffee. We recommend placing it in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to ensure it won’t melt the ice.
2. Begin by combining the liquid ingredients in your blender. Add your coffee, milk, vanilla syrup, and hazelnut syrup. You can quickly blend the liquid ingredients if you like, but it’s not necessary.
3. Add the ice to your blender after the liquid ingredients. Blend until the mixture is thick and creamy, and don’t overdo it!
4. Fill a tall glass with the coffee Coolatta mixture and top with whipped cream (plus a drizzle of caramel, chocolate syrup, or even chocolate chips, if you like). Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks:

• Want to add even more caffeine and delicious coffee flavor to your Coolatta? Instead of adding ice cubes to the coffee, add coffee ice cubes and then blend it all together! You can make coffee ice cubes easily by adding coffee to an ice cube tray and freezing it for a couple of hours (or overnight if you plan to make your drink first thing in the morning).
• Don’t over-blend your beverage! Blending the drink for too long can make it soft and runny, so remember to turn off the blender just as you stop hearing the ice being crushed.
• The Coolatta has a signature nutty flavor that comes from hazelnut syrup! If you want your cool coffee drink to be extra decadent, don’t skimp out on the syrups like hazelnut or vanilla since that’s what will give it its light and refreshing sweetness!
• You can always make your coffee base much stronger by brewing an extra-strong coffee base or just substituting your coffee with a shot or two of espresso! 

Happy Caffeinating!

Coffee Coolatta Recipe

Yield: 1

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Coffee Coolatta is a cold, refreshing, and creamy coffee drink perfect for an early-afternoon pick-me-up inspired by the Dunkin’ Donuts version.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup of coffee (cold)
• 1 cup milk or non-dairy milk alternative
• 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup, or more to taste
• 1 tablespoon hazelnut syrup, or more to taste
• 2 cups ice
• whipped cream (as much as you want!)
• Toppings like chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, or caramel syrup (optional)

Instructions

1. Cool your coffee, placing it in the refrigerator for a few hours.
2. Add your coffee, milk, vanilla syrup, and hazelnut syrup to your blender.
3. Add the ice to your blender after the liquid ingredients and blend until the mixture is thick and creamy, and don't overdo it!
4. Fill a tall glass with the coffee Coolatta mixture, and top with whipped cream (plus a drizzle of caramel or chocolate syrup). Enjoy!