I Tried the Dunkin’ Ice Spice Munchkin Drink—Is It Worth the Hype?

Of all the celebrity-restaurant-chain collabs, Dunkin's limited edition offering from rapper Ice Spice might just be our favorite. Here's how it tastes.

It’s no secret that coffee pairs perfectly with pumpkin spice. Each fall without fail, the PSL returns to define the season. This year, there’s more exciting news for pumpkin and coffee lovers: Dunkin’ is shaking it up with a rich, frozen treat that gets its name from none other than up-and-coming rapper Ice Spice.

In a commercial that premiered at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, Ice Spice sits down with actor Ben Affleck, a longtime Dunkin' drinker and partner, and explains why she’s the perfect inspiration for a new Dunkin’ drink. “Spice” is part of her stage name, after all, and she’s known to lovingly call her fans “Munchkins” after her 2022 hit song “Munch (Feelin’ U).”

“I’ve always been a Dunkin’ girl!” said Ice Spice in a press release. “Collaborating with Dunkin’ and Ben Affleck on this spot was a dream. The drink has a fun twist, a little something in the name for my fans, too. I can’t wait for everyone to try it.”

Related: Dunkin’ Might Be Launching Spiked Coffee and Tea Drinks

The drink combines actual pumpkin Munchkin’s (flavored donut holes) with “frozen Dunkin’ coffee,” sugar, and cream. If that wasn’t enough sweetness for you, it’s topped off with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and a delicious cinnamon sugar sprinkle.

But is the concoction really worth a morning coffee run? I tried the Dunkin’ Ice Spice Munchkin Drink to find out whether it’s really worth the hype—here’s everything you need to know.

Review: Dunkin' Ice Spice Munchkin Drink

First impression: The coffee's presentation was automatically appealing. The perfect whipped cream swirl and extra dash of cinnamon sugar smelled incredible—and looked even better. And the caramel swirl clearly showcased in the ads stood out just as much in the real thing. When it comes to the flavor though, I have some notes.

The Ice Spice brew packs a punch—in fact, an almost overwhelming one. You definitely get the pumpkin spice, but it was a bit challenging to find among the signature doughy, sugary flavor of cinnamon Munchkins. The drink overall was very sweet, and I felt full after finishing less than half of the small size (though it did prove to be a little addicting).

Related: Spiced Pumpkin Donuts

The verdict: If you’re a black coffee lover or not too into sugar-filled drinks, you’re better off passing on this one. You probably won't want to swap it for your daily cold brew or latte, but it'll definitely wake you up as a tasty Friday morning dessert.

Despite its sweetness, the Munchkin Drink made a satisfying treat for a not-quite-summer, not-quite-fall September day. The iced, blended texture was deliciously smooth, but some pieces of Munchkins made it into the mix and into the straw—adding a somewhat startling (but not entirely unwelcome) touch.

The one obvious missing piece was the coffee: Dunkin’s in-store menu for the drink has since revealed that the “frozen Dunkin’ coffee” included is merely a few pumps of coffee-flavored syrup.

The internet seems to be quite split (as per usual) on the fall offering. While can't get enough of the seasonal flavors and cake-like feel, others aren't convinced. On Twitter, several users reported the blended Munchkins were “mushy,” and “weird.” Others said they didn’t taste the pumpkin spice flavor at all, and one user joked that “every time a Dunkin worker has to blend up a Munchkin for the Ice Spice drink an angel loses its wings.” I can’t help but side with the skeptics on this one.

Since its drop, the drink's nutrition facts have been a hot topic. According to the Dunkin’ app, ordering a small comes with 590 calories, a medium with 830, and a large with 1,080. This isn't much of a surprise—two Munchkins fit into a small and four fit into a large—but it’s still something to keep in mind. Although Dunkin’ hasn’t released any of the other official nutrition facts, PopSugar estimated that the small contains 44 grams of sugar, not including the toppings.

Related: 11 Refreshing Low-Calorie Iced Drinks at Starbucks

If you’re looking to get your hands on an Ice Spice Munchkin’ Drink, act fast: It launched in stores on September 13, and it’s only around as long as supplies last. It’s the first time that Dunkin’ has concocted a drink with its iconic donuts, so despite how you feel about sweet, faux-coffee beverages, it might just be worth a try as the summer months quickly fade.

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