The Basic Dunkin' Latte That Rivals Sweeter Drinks At Other Chains

When it comes to coffee shop lattes, everyone has a favorite, whether you like to keep it simple or prefer flavored syrups and all the fixings. That's why Tasting Table's taste tester set the record straight by ranking eight popular coffee chain lattes. Some were downright sugar bombs, but Dunkin's Caramel Latte stood out for letting the espresso flavor shine through without being overly sweet. Our taste tester called it a "latte for the coffee purists," appreciating that the caramel flavor wasn't overpowering. "I personally prefer lattes that aren't as sweet, so this was more my speed."

Coming in fourth out of eight lattes, Dunkin's Caramel Latte was a welcome change from some of the sweeter drinks we ranked, including our last-ranked Crème Brûlée Latte from 7 Brew, which our writer said "tasted more like I was drinking pure sugar" instead of anything resembling crème brûlée. Aroma Joe's Paris Toast Latte was similarly cloying, with the writer saying they "could feel the sugar coating my tongue and my teeth." Even Dunkin' made the same mistake with the Butter Pecan Latte, making it hard to finish the drink.

While our taste tester preferred the Caramel Latte's restrained sweetness, they did note it "wasn't as balanced flavor-wise as it could have been." Compared to the higher-ranking lattes on the list, our writer said this one would benefit from a tad more caramel syrup. Still, they called it a "solid latte" and found it more enjoyable to drink than some of the overly sweet options from other chains.

Dunkin' has a selection of lattes, including Signature Lattes like the Cocoa Mocha Signature Latte and seasonal favorites like Pumpkin Spice. But many customers still enjoy the classic Caramel Latte. In one TikTok review, a creator stepped outside their usual order to try an iced caramel latte with oat milk. They said it was "really good" and rated it an eight out of 10. Another TikTok user ordered an iced caramel latte with almond milk after not visiting Dunkin' in five years and wondered, "Why did I stop going?"

For another TikTok creator, adding an extra shot of espresso made all the difference. She found Dunkin's Caramel Latte a little too milky for her taste, but the additional espresso helped her find what she called "the perfect coffee every time." It's one of several ways to customize the drink depending on your preferences. Dunkin' also offers several milk options, including whole milk, protein milk, and coffee milk, along with sweet flavors like brown sugar and butter pecan syrup you can add to the caramel. 

Whether you let the espresso take center stage or prefer an indulgent treat with whipped cream, you can make Dunkin's Caramel Latte your own. If you're craving something more decadent, Tasting Table's pick for the best Dunkin' iced coffee for caramel lovers is the Caramel Craze Iced Signature Latte.