Starbucks' Banana Coffee Outshines Dunkin's Offering

A banana coffee lover puts the two chains' new banana-flavored drinks to the test.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:14am

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As someone with a self-described 'banana coffee obsession,' the author compares the new banana-flavored coffee drinks from Starbucks and Dunkin'. While the Starbucks version with banana cold foam and caramel crunch impressed with its fresh, creamy banana flavor, the Dunkin' banana puddin' latte fell flat with its overly artificial taste.

Why it matters

Banana-flavored coffee drinks are a niche but growing trend, and the author's review provides insight into how major chains are approaching this unique flavor profile. The results highlight the importance of using high-quality, natural ingredients to create an authentic banana taste that appeals to discerning coffee drinkers.

The details

The author ordered the Starbucks iced latte with brown sugar syrup, banana cold foam, and caramel crunch, as well as the Dunkin' banana puddin' latte. The Starbucks drink impressed with its fresh, creamy banana flavor from the real banana in the cold foam, balanced by the brown sugar syrup and crunchy toppings. In contrast, the Dunkin' version tasted overly artificial, like 'banana Laffy Taffy,' with a processed, thin cold foam that failed to capture the essence of real bananas.

  • The new banana-flavored drinks were released at Starbucks and Dunkin' in March 2026.

The players

Sarah Vincent

The author, who describes herself as a 'banana coffee freak' and has a self-proclaimed 'banana coffee obsession.'

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What they’re saying

“I'm willing to admit I have a banana coffee obsession. This is not news to the people who love me, but it can sometimes be a bit of a shock to friends and acquaintances.”

— Sarah Vincent

“I love the caramel crunch on top for a little pop of salt, and the crunchy texture plays nicely with the thicker, less uniform texture of the cold foam. The brown sugar syrup, paired with real banana flavor, creates a rich banana bread taste, making this drink a treat.”

— Sarah Vincent

“I'm going to keep it real: I enjoy a Dunkin' iced coffee, but the banana syrup was so artificial. It was like drinking banana Laffy Taffy.”

— Sarah Vincent

The takeaway

This review highlights the importance of using high-quality, natural ingredients to create an authentic banana flavor in coffee drinks. While Starbucks succeeded in this regard, Dunkin's overly artificial banana syrup fell short, demonstrating the challenges of capturing the delicate balance of flavors that true banana coffee enthusiasts crave.