Flavor Swirl Vs Flavor Shot – Which Is Best?

Dunkin’ Donuts is now just called Dunkin’ due to entering the gourmet coffee market, a great accompaniment to their donuts. A question I often see on social media and forums is flavor swirl vs flavor shot, which is best?

Which is best is a personal choice, what is best from Tom may not be to Jane’s liking, It is very subjective.

By the time you have finished reading this article, you will have a great grasp of what a flavor swirl is and what a flavor shot is and be able to make up your own mind as to what you prefer.

Keep reading as we roll on with this article as we talk about…

What Is A Flavor Shot From Dunkin?

A Dunkin’s flavor shot is a sugar-free, unsweetened syrup-like liquid that you can add to your coffee to give it flavor and enjoy your gourmet coffee. They come in a range of flavors (more on this in a moment) and are free from artificial dyes and artificial sweeteners.

Add them to your espresso drink, latte or iced coffee instead of sugar if you want, as they will sweeten them up.

Each flavor shot will add 5 to 10 calories to your cup of coffee for a medium-sized drink.

Read: Most popular coffee flavors

What Is A Flavor Swirl From Dunkin?

A flavor swirl, similar to a flavor shot, is used to add taste to your gourmet coffee. A flavor swirl adds way more calories at 150–160 calories.

The range of flavors available for swirls and flavor shots are different. There are some very interesting must-try.

The swirl flavors are made with condensed milk and are creamier.

What Is The Difference Between Flavor Shot And Flavor Swirl?

The two menu items differ in not only their calorie content and flavors available, they differ based on how they are made.

One is dairy free while the other is made with condensed milk and thus has a rich, creamy taste and flavor.

If you are on a diet, you might want to opt for flavor shot and skip the swirl. That really is what sums up the difference between flavor swirl and flavor shots.

How Many Pumps Of Flavor Does Dunkin Use?

How many pumps of flavor are used depends on the size of your coffee drink. A large coffee-based drink from Dunkin’s gets 4 pumps, a medium-sized coffee gets three, while a small coffee gets only 2 pumps.

Given the amount of calories in the swirls and a cup of coffee with cream or sugar added, keep this in mind if you are on a diet. The best option, calorie wise, might just be to cast your eyes towards flavor shots.

What Are The Classic Dunkin’ Flavor Shots

There are a number of and a wide range of flavor shots available from Dunkin’ Donuts (now just called Dunkin’).

Here is the complete list:

• 1. Hazelnut.
• 2. Blueberry.
• 3. Coconut.
• 4. Raspberry.
• 5. Vanilla.
• 6. Toasted Almond.

The Hazelnut flavor is also available as a hazelnut swirl, which is a nice option for the consumer to have the diet choice and flavor choice. One is creamier than the other and has a slightly different taste for that reason, a different texture.

The toasted almond version works incredibly well with almond milk and a strong dark roasted espresso

Classic Dunkin’ Flavor Swirls

There are fewer option for their swirls, let’s get right to it.

• 1. French Vanilla.
• 2. Mocha.
• 3. Caramel.
• 4. Hazelnut.
• 5. Rocky Road Swirl.
• 6. Toasted White Chocolate.

As you can see there are very few classic flavor swirl varieties. Of those the ones I am a sucker for are the French Vanilla swirl and the caramel swirl which is great from a combination of swirls when you mix it with mocha for an incredible latte.

Seasonal Dunkin’ Flavor Swirls

Seasonal flavors are both a joy and a huge disappointment. You get used to the flavor, love it, enjoy it, and before you know it, it’s gone, and you are back to having your coffee regular with the same choice of swirls!

•  1. Pumpkin Spice (August To November).
• 2. Peppermint Mocha (November To December)
• 3. Gingerbread Smores (November To Early January).
• 4. Butter Pecan.
• 5. Peanut Butter Cup Swirl.

These are all seasonal and rather enjoyable. I swear blind Peanut butter and coffee is my creation! I’ve been putting a dollop of it in my coffee for 10+ years, it’s awesome. It is pretty good as an iced coffee when you blend it with a blender.

Are Flavor Shots Or Swirls Better?

In terms of flavor, I find the flavor swirls are better, creamier and richer in taste. They are to my own liking, taste wise and how I like my coffee.

In terms of health, admittedly, I should probably be looking more towards the Flavor shots. Better for your taste buds – the flavor swirls, better for your waistline, the flavor shots.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flavor Swirl Vs Flavor Shot

What Is The Difference Between Dunkin Flavor Shot And Swirl?

The biggest difference is that flavor shots are sugar-free and unsweetened while flavor swirls are sweet, indulgent, rich and creamy. Both flavor swirls and flavor shots are free of artificial dyes, coloring and artificial sweeteners.

For a medium-sized drink, flavor swirls add from 150 to 160 calories while flavor shots add only 5 to 10 calories.

What Are Flavour Swirls?

Flavor swirls are rich creamy condensed milk based flavorings that you can add to any drink on the menu at Dunkin’s. They are similar to the flavor syrups at Starbuck except they are made with condensed milk and add a creaminess to your drink.

How Many Flavor Swirls Go In A Medium Coffee?

A medium-sized beverage will have 3 pumps of flavor swirl, large drinks have 4 while smaller drinks have 2.

Are Flavor Shots At Dunkin Healthy?

In my humble opinion, flavor shots from Dunkin’ are not healthy due to the elevated sugar content. The 20 grams of sugar that they contain is the equivalent of 4 teaspoons of sugar. 

What Does Dunkin Irish Creme Swirl Taste Like?

The Irish creme swirl has a rich velvety flavor with notes of vanilla and tastes a lot like the famous cream whiskey.

What Does Dunkin Use For Their Swirls?

The swirls are made with a condensed milk base and natural flavoring. They work in their iced coffee drinks just as much as they do for their hot coffee drinks.

Frappé-Ing It All Up – Flavor Swirl Vs Flavor Shot

While I am all for the flavor swirls in the debate of Flavor Swirl vs Flavor Shot, it is the flavor shots that are better for your health due to significantly fewer calories.

That is something that you need to give serious consideration to, as gourmet coffee is literally liquid cakes. Imagine starting the day with 400 to 500 calories, and that is just your coffee!

Join our coffee community and join in by tell us about your own flavor swirl and flavor shot combinations and creations. Find us on Facebook/Meta.

Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location