Dunkin' Dives Into the Boozy Beverage Market with Spiked Iced Coffees and TeasThe malt-based beverages, slated for a September release, offer an array of flavors inspired by Dunkin's iced coffee and teas. However, due to alcohol regulations, the products won't be available at Dunkin' locations, only retailers that sell adult beverages.

ByMadeline Garfinkle

Key Takeaways

  • Dunkin' unveils Dunkin’ Spiked, with eight different flavors of boozy coffee and tea.
  • Entering the hard coffee market might be risky, as previous ventures have faced obstacles.

Dunkin'is introducing alcoholic versions of its popular drinks, Dunkin' Spiked Iced Coffees and Iced Teas, with an official announcementreleasedon Monday.

The malt-based beverages, set for release in early September, will feature eight flavors inspired by Dunkin's iced coffee and tea varieties. The move comes as the ready-to-drink sector has been gaining significant traction and massive growth, with over $10 billion in U.S. sales over the last year, according to an NIQ report, perCNN.

"You can start and end your day with Dunkin', which is a testament to our continuous drive for innovation and understanding our fans' desires," Dunkin' president Scott Murphy told the outlet.

Dunkinspiked.com

邓肯的飙升冰咖啡将four flavors: original, caramel, mocha, and vanilla. They contain about 30 milligrams of caffeine and 6% alcohol.

The hard tea line, consisting of flavors like slightly sweet, half and half, strawberry dragonfruit, and mango pineapple, will contain 5% alcohol and caffeine levels ranging from 15 to 30 milligrams.

这两个产品will be sold in variety packs and individual packs, but they won't be available at Dunkin' locations due to alcohol regulations.

Related:'It's A Sad Day': Dunkin' Fans Devastated After Chain Eliminates Beloved Menu Item

Dunkinspiked.com

The launch will begin in 12 U.S. states (Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont).

However, entering the hard coffee segment may be challenging. While coffee-spiked cocktails like the espresso martini have gained popularity at bars and restaurants, packaged hard coffee struggles to gain traction in the market, The Washington Postreportedin 2022.

Last year, Pabst Blue Ribbondiscontinuedits hard coffee line, after only a three-year run, due to poor sales. In 2020, a partnership between Molson Coors and La Colombe to sell spiked cold brew was discontinued within six months of its launch, per The Post.

"You'd think putting two rock stars together, cold brew and alcohol, would make a great combo," Randy Anderson, an independent consultant to the cold-brew industry, told the outlet. "But it reminds me of the 2004 Olympic 'Dream Team.' You've got LeBron, you've got Dwyane Wade — and they absolutely sucked."

Related:One of the World's Biggest Alcohol Companies Just Appointed Its First Woman CEO

Madeline Garfinkle

Entrepreneur Staff

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University.

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