10 Most Unhealthy Holiday Items at Starbucks and Dunkin’
Seasonal drinks often rely on sugar-heavy flavor syrups, which contribute the most significant increase in calories. Many Starbucks and Dunkin’ holiday recipes add multiple flavored components to one cup. A drink blend can contain up to 60 or 70 grams of sugar, which is far above the American Heart Association’s daily guideline of 25 grams for added sugar. Some Dunkin’ frozen options climb even higher while hitting triple-digit sugar counts. These numbers show why moderation helps, and readers who enjoy festive stops at Starbucks and Dunkin’ gain more control when they understand what’s in the cup.
Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
This drink layers white chocolate sauce with peppermint syrup. A grande has nearly 420 calories, and the sugar total stacks quickly because both syrups act as separate sweeteners. The combination gives the drink its holiday appeal, although nutrition experts caution that it offers more sugar than many desserts.
Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte
One Caramel Brulée Latte in a grande cup contains around 410 calories, primarily composed of the caramel brulée sauce that lends the drink its distinctive burnt-sugar flavor. The sauce alone contains substantial amounts of saturated fat and sugar, and once the whipped topping and caramel pieces are added, the drink shifts even further into dessert territory. It’s one of Starbucks’ most popular holiday picks because of its smooth texture, yet the numbers reveal why it remains a heavier choice.
Starbucks Chestnut Praline Latte
This latte mirrors the caramel brulée profile, but with its own unique twist. The chestnut syrup has a nutty sweetness, and the praline topping adds extra crunch, along with a touch of added sweetness. Even without added whip, the drink carries a calorie range that nudges close to the 400 mark.
Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino
This blended drink contains approximately 470 calories in a grande, with sugar content reaching nearly 60 grams. Each layer includes caramel sauce or syrup, and the crunch topping adds sweetness and texture. The base Frappuccino mix also contains its own sweetener, which pushes the drink toward milkshake status. Even cutting back on toppings only trims part of the load.
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
The seasonal classic in a grande cup carries around 430 calories and roughly 73 grams of sugar. The pumpkin spice sauce supplies the bulk of the sweetness, and the blended base adds more. Many fans expect a treat, though the final numbers still catch people off guard because the iced version often tastes lighter.
Dunkin’ Caramel Creme Frozen Coffee
A medium serving of this drink reaches about 860 calories. It includes a frozen coffee base combined with a swirl that contains a concentrated sweetener. The saturated fat reaches 17 grams, and the sugar climbs past 130 grams. The drink’s creamy texture comes from stabilizers and syrups, which explains the steep totals.
Dunkin’ Pumpkin Swirl Frozen Coffee
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This one takes the pumpkin profile even further. A large moves past 1K calories, while a medium still has about 750 calories with more than 150 grams of sugar. The swirl formula is designed to hold flavor in frozen beverages, which magnifies its impact.
Dunkin’ Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte
The calorie range ranges between 300 and 600, depending on choices like whip and drizzle. The toasted white chocolate syrup carries a concentrated sweetness, and the sweet cold foam adds another layer of sugar. Together, they create a drink that tastes smooth and rich while building a steep nutrition profile underneath.
Dunkin’ Cookie Butter Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam
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This drink starts with a flavored cold brew, though the real impact comes from the cookie butter syrup and the foam topping. The foam includes added sweeteners that sit on top of the drink with each sip. While cold brew often reads as a lighter option, the added layers push this seasonal version into dessert-like territory.
Dunkin’ Peppermint Mocha
A large cup of this drink crosses the 50-gram sugar mark before any modifications. The peppermint and mocha syrups combine to form the signature holiday flavor, and the drink often feels less heavy than frozen versions, which creates a misleading impression. Even without extras, the sugar count places it among the stronger picks on Dunkin’s holiday lineup.