Do Dunkin’ Refreshers Have Caffeine? Here’s the Truth
Quick Answer
Dunkin' Refreshers might look like harmless fruit drinks, but they’ve got more caffeine than you’d guess. A medium 24-ounce Refresher holds 99mg of caffeine. It's about the same as a cup of black tea. That’s coming from two places: the green tea base and extra green tea extract in the fruit mix. Parents should know this before picking one up for their kids.
Key Takeaways
- Large sizes can have up to 132mg of caffeine.
- The caffeine comes from brewed green tea and the fruit mix.
- There’s no caffeine-free Refresher on the menu right now.
- A medium Refresher has about half the caffeine of coffee.
- One medium has 29g of sugar.
- Swapping green tea for lemonade cuts caffeine a bit.
I learned about caffeine in Dunkin' Refreshers last summer. My friend Sarah bought one for her 10-year-old, thinking it was just a fruity drink. Two hours later, her daughter was bouncing off the couch during movie night. The next day Sarah told me, “I had no clue they had caffeine. The colors and fruit taste totally fooled me.”
She’s not the only one. Since 2020, these drinks have been a hit for anyone wanting a cold, fruity option. They look like simple fruit drinks, but there’s more in that cup than what you see.
The Caffeine Content Breakdown
|
Drink Size |
Ounces |
Caffeine Content (mg) |
|
Small |
16 oz |
66 mg |
|
Medium |
24 oz |
99 mg |
|
Large |
32 oz |
132 mg |
Here’s what Dunkin' says about the caffeine in their Refreshers:
- Small (16 oz): 66mg
- Medium (24 oz): 99mg
- Large (32 oz): 132mg
A medium has the same caffeine as a cup of black tea. That’s enough to mess with sleep or cause jitters if you’re sensitive.
So, where’s all that caffeine coming from? Let’s break it down.
Two Sources of Caffeine
The caffeine comes from two places. First, the drink uses brewed green tea as its base. Dunkin' says this adds about 68mg of caffeine to a medium.
The rest comes from the fruit mix. Each flavor pack has green tea extract in it, which adds more caffeine.
That’s why you can’t get a true caffeine-free Refresher. Even if you swap out the green tea, the fruit mix still has caffeine.
Refreshers vs. Other Dunkin' Drinks
How do they stack up next to other drinks on Dunkin’s menu?
Medium (24 oz) Refresher: 99mg caffeine
- About the same as a medium Bold Breakfast Black Tea (90mg)
- Less than half of a medium hot coffee (210mg)
- Much less than a large cold brew (347mg)
- Lower than the new Sparkd’ Energy drinks (192mg in a large)
That puts Refreshers right in the middle. Stronger than most teas but weaker than coffee. They’re good if you want a mild pick-me-up without going full coffee mode.
The Sparkd’ Energy drinks, launched in February 2024, have even more caffeine from guarana seed extract. They’re part of Dunkin’s push into the energy drink space, competing with brands like Celsius and Alani Nu.
The Sugar Factor
The caffeine isn’t the only thing to watch. A medium mango-pineapple Refresher has 29g of added sugar. And that’s more than 80% of the daily limit for women set by the American Heart Association.
Caffeine plus sugar can give you a fast energy rush, then a crash. Kids and teens, who are more sensitive to both, can feel it even more.
EatingWell says it’s best to enjoy these in moderation. Going for a smaller size will cut back on both caffeine and sugar.
The Children's Caffeine Concern
One big problem is parents buying these for kids without knowing they have caffeine. A Dunkin' worker shared in a Facebook group: “I’ve worked for Dunkin for years now, and have always been under the impression that refreshers are decaffeinated unless made without green tea. ALL REFRESHERS ARE CAFFEINATED!”.
The confusion makes sense. Bright colors and fruity taste are kid-friendly, but the caffeine isn’t always safe. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says kids 12 and up should have no more than 100mg a day. A medium Refresher almost hits that limit.
For kids under 12, some health experts say no caffeine at all. Even a small Refresher (66mg) is still a lot for a child.
Can You Reduce the Caffeine?
Can you make one with less caffeine? Yes, but not all the way.
Ask for lemonade instead of green tea as the base. This takes out the 68mg from the brewed tea, but the fruit mix still has caffeine.
Some people try just fruit mix with water or lemonade, but the mix itself has green tea extract. So, you can’t cut it to zero.
If you want a fruity drink without any caffeine, your safest bet is lemonade with a flavor shot and skip the Refresher base.
Current Refresher Flavors
Right now, Dunkin’ offers:
- Strawberry Dragonfruit
- Mango Pineapple
- Peach Passion Fruit
They also add seasonal flavors, like the summer Pink Spritz Refresher. All have the same caffeine base, no matter the flavor.
Who Should Be Cautious?
These groups should be extra careful:
1. Children and teenagers— Their smaller size makes caffeine hit harder.
2. Pregnant women— Doctors often suggest cutting back on caffeine.
3. People with anxiety— Caffeine can make symptoms worse.
4. Anyone with sleep problems— Even afternoon caffeine can keep you up.
5. Those sensitive to caffeine— Small amounts can still cause jitters.
Knowing the numbers helps you decide if it’s a smart choice.
Final Thoughts
Dunkin' Refreshers taste great and look fun, but they’re not caffeine-free fruit drinks. With caffeine close to a cup of black tea, they can still affect kids and anyone sensitive to caffeine.
Next time you see those bright drinks at the counter, remember what’s inside. If you want something truly caffeine-free, you’ll have to order from a different part of the menu.
When brands are open about ingredients, it’s easier to choose what works for your health. Now that you know what’s in Refreshers, you can decide if they fit your caffeine comfort level.
For those concerned about what's actually in their cup, Lifeboost Coffee offers a refreshingly transparent alternative. Our low-acid, organic coffee gives you clean caffeine without the hidden extras found in many chain beverages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are any Dunkin' Refreshers caffeine-free?
No. All flavors have caffeine from both the green tea base and green tea extract in the fruit mix.
How much caffeine is in a large Refresher?
About 132mg in a 32-ounce size.
Is it safe for kids to drink Dunkin' Refreshers?
Health experts say kids under 12 should avoid caffeine. Teens shouldn’t go over 100mg a day, and a medium Refresher has 99mg.
How does a Refresher compare to coffee?
A medium Refresher (99mg) has less than half the caffeine of a medium Dunkin’ coffee (210mg).
Can I reduce the caffeine in my Refresher?
Switching the base to lemonade lowers caffeine but doesn’t remove it completely.
About the Author
This article was written by the Lifeboost writing team using current nutrition research and Dunkin' Donuts’ official drink info. The team reviewed caffeine data, ingredients, and customer feedback to bring you accurate details about these drinks. The goal is to help you make better choices about caffeine.
Disclaimer: This article is for learning purposes only and not medical advice. Everyone reacts differently to caffeine. Talk to your doctor about your diet, especially for kids, pregnant women, or anyone with health conditions.
Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.
