Pennsylvania native Sabrina Carpenter has recently teamed up with a popular fast food chain in the Northeast, making a lasting impression on her numerous fans. To start off the new year, Dunkin’ introduced their latest beverage in collaboration with the pop star: Sabrina’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso. This new iced drink features Dunkin’s espresso, flavored with brown sugar syrup and a splash of oat milk. Yes, I tried it in the name of journalism.
I must confess that Carpenter was my top Spotify artist in 2023 and number 3 in 2024, indicating my fandom. However, I am setting aside my positive bias to provide an honest review of this drink and analyze its nutritional information. Here’s what you should know before giving this beverage a try.
Sabrina’s Dunkin’ Drink: Taste Test
As expected from its name, this drink is sweet with brown sugar. Surprisingly, the sweetness was more subtle than anticipated for a Dunkin’ coffee. The brown sugar complemented the robust espresso flavor rather than overpowering it on the first sip. Personally, I appreciate oat milk and found that it added a light touch that balanced the bold ingredients. From a nutritional standpoint (which I’ll delve into shortly), my only issue with this drink is that it’s iced. Can we please discontinue launching special iced coffees in winter? While a personal preference, I favor holding a warm drink in cold weather over an icy one. However, Carpenter’s beverage promises the warmth of a hug with its hot espresso base.
Despite my preference for hot drinks during winter, I enjoyed sipping on this beverage while writing this article. If you’re contemplating whether the iced brown sugar espresso at Dunkin’ is a healthy choice, read on.
Is This Drink Healthy?
I opted for a small size, served in a 16-ounce cup. Here’s the breakdown of Sabrina’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso in a small serving:
– Calories: 120
– Carbohydrates: 26 g
– Dietary Fiber: 1 g
– Total Sugar: 18 g
– Added Sugar: 18 g
– Protein: 1 g
– Total Fat: 1.5 g
– Saturated Fat: 0 g
– Cholesterol: 0 mg
– Sodium: 70 mg
While the drink is low in calories and fats, the added sugar content is notable. This drink has lower added sugar compared to recent Dunkin’ creations but still contains 18 grams in a small serving. The American Heart Association recommends a daily added sugar intake of no more than 36 grams, making this drink 50% of the recommended limit.
To reduce the added sugar content, simply request the drink with only one pump of syrup instead of the standard two. At EatingWell, we believe all foods and drinks can be part of a healthy diet. If you prefer a sweeter beverage, go for it in
Incorporating More Fiber into Our Diets
The underlying question remains: Would I opt for the Sabrina beverage once more? The answer is affirmative, albeit with a minor adjustment. Given that the espresso undeniably stole the show in this concoction, my future preference would entail requesting a solitary pump of the brown sugar syrup. This modification is not anticipated to significantly alter the taste profile, but it would effectively halve the sugar content, rendering it more conducive for routine consumption.
Related: I Inquired of 5 Celebrities for Their Preferred Nutritious Snack—Their Consensus Might Surprise You! Read the original feature on EATINGWELL.
