Whether the forecast says there’ll be a heat wave or a blizzard, one variable in my life will remain unchanged. That unchanged variable is, of course, my coffee. If there is one thing about me, I love coffee. There are many different forms and flavors of coffee that I enjoy. However, if I were to pick a favorite form of coffee, it would hands down be a blended coffee. Don’t get me wrong, I still love an iced coffee. However, there’s something about a blended drink that hits differently.
Blended coffees tend to be sweeter than iced or hot coffee. Iced drinks are typically made with black coffee poured over ice with various sugars, creams, and sweeteners added at consumer discretion. However, in blended drinks, sugars, milk, and water are automatically added to the formula. While this does make blended beverages higher in sugar and calories, it also makes the drinks much sweeter and more enjoyable.
When buying my coffee, there are many different places I can choose from. Each coffee place has its own take on blended coffee. For me, when I think about what I like in frozen coffees, it comes down to the sweetness, price, and variety. I like very sweet coffees and I enjoy having options for different flavors. Additionally, I am on a budget and take into consideration the price of each drink. Let’s break down each of my favorite coffee shops and see how they compare to one another.
Firstly, I love to get Starbucks’ signature frappuccinos. They’ve been a classic since 1995 and have not gone out of style. However, since then, there have been many different flavors and flavor variations released. Their version of blended coffees is one of my favorites because they’re rarely made poorly. Unlike some other places, Starbucks always takes great care while making their blended coffees. They all include whipped cream and delicious toppings. Starbucks whipped cream is a special recipe that is not sold in stores which makes it all the more special. My favorite one is the caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino. It’s made with caramel syrup, whipped cream, and a special crunch made from crushed caramel candy. I often find myself wanting a separate cup of just whipped cream and crunch. However, Starbucks’ delectable drinks do come with a downside: their prices. A drink from Starbucks is noticeably more expensive than other places. For example, a venti frappuccino costs $6.69 whereas a large Dunkin costs $5.87. Additionally, a Starbucks venti is four ounces less than a large Dunkin. The rewards system at Dunkin is also much better, as you can accumulate points and rewards faster.
Starbucks is many people’s favorite coffee place. At Chesterton, Sophomore Gionna Pinkston ranks Starbucks as her favorite blended coffee place.
“I love the variety that Starbucks offers. They always make them well!” Pinkston said.
Let’s move on to Dunkin’. Their frozen coffees are another favorite of mine. I regularly get a frozen caramel coffee. However, in the autumnal months, I enjoy a pumpkin spice frozen coffee. Dunkin’s frozen coffee is very sweet and has a good taste of cream. As aforementioned, I love the sweetness in coffees and Dunkin does not shy away from that. However, they aren’t always consistently made well. Oftentimes, the flavor tastes off, and the consistency can be odd. The price point, however, can make it more worthwhile as it is cheaper and easier to earn free drinks.
At CHS, Junior Lauren Koonce would choose Dunkin for a frozen coffee over any other place. Just like myself, Koonce orders a frozen caramel coffee.
“Dunkin has the best coffee in general because it’s always sweet and has a lot of flavor,” Koonce said.
An unconventional place for coffee that I often find myself ordering coffee from is McDonald’s. Their mocha and caramel frappes are surprisingly good. Their flavor is very consistent and satisfactory. Additionally, they’re the cheapest of them all and their rewards system is the most lucrative. However, nothing about their coffee is special. Starbucks has great variety, and Dunkin has extra cream. However, McDonald’s does not provide anything beyond or special. Yet, I still will go there if I am low on money and want a good drink. Though it’s not my favorite place, it is for others. Freshman Cole Gilbert loves McDonald’s frappes and would pick them over anything else.
“Even though they aren’t mostly known for having frozen coffees, the selection that they do have is worth trying,” said Gilbert.
Overall, I believe that all three of the main coffee places provide very delicious drinks. Each place has its strengths and weaknesses. Starbucks has a great selection of different flavors and good consistency. Whereas, Dunkin has a good extra cream taste. McDonald’s provides the best bang for your buck. Depending on my mood and situation, I will go to any of these places. But if there’s one thing for sure, I will be getting a blended coffee.
