Dutch Bros Copycat Drinks: My Dutch Bros order has cost me an embarrassing amount of money this year. I did the math once and immediately regretted it. Somewhere between the extra shot, the soft top, and the “just one more drizzle of caramel,” a stand that started as an occasional treat turned into a weekly habit.
So I started recreating my favorites in my own kitchen. Turns out most of what makes a Dutch Bros drink taste like a Dutch Bros drink comes down to a handful of syrups and a little technique, not some secret menu magic.
Below is my version of their Golden Eagle, which is the drink I order more than anything else on their menu, plus three more copycat drinks for whenever you want to switch it up.
Side Note: These are inspired by the Dutch Bros menu, not an exact copy of their proprietary recipe. I’m not claiming insider access, just a lot of trial and error (and a lot of caffeine).
What You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Strong brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso | 2 oz (or 2 shots) |
| Whole milk | 1 cup |
| Caramel syrup | 2 tbsp |
| Irish cream flavored syrup (non-alcoholic) | 1 tbsp |
| Hazelnut syrup | 1 tbsp |
| Vanilla syrup | 1 tsp |
| Whipped cream | for topping |
| Caramel drizzle | for topping |
| Ice | 1 cup (for iced version) |
The Irish cream and hazelnut combo is really what sells this drink. Without those two, it just tastes like a regular caramel latte.
Read this also: The 7 Brew Blondie Actually Costs $2 to Make at Home
Tools You’ll Need
- Espresso machine or a strong drip coffee maker
- Milk frother (handheld or a jar you can shake)
- Small saucepan (if warming milk on the stove)
- Tall glass or mug
- Measuring spoons
You do not need an espresso machine for this. Strong drip coffee works fine, it just won’t have quite the same body.
How To Make It
- Brew your coffee or pull your espresso shots. Set aside.
- Warm your milk in a saucepan over medium heat, or microwave in 30 second bursts until steaming but not boiling.
- Froth the milk with a handheld frother for about 20 seconds, until it’s foamy but still pourable.
- Add the caramel, Irish cream, hazelnut, and vanilla syrups to your glass.
- Pour in the espresso and stir until the syrups are fully dissolved.
- Add the frothed milk, pouring slowly so you get a little layering.
- Top with whipped cream and a generous drizzle of caramel.
For the iced version, skip the warming step. Fill your glass with ice, add the syrups and espresso, stir well, then pour cold milk over top.
Pro Tips
- Dissolve your syrups in the hot espresso first, not the cold milk. If you add syrup to cold milk it tends to clump and sink instead of blending in.
- Use whole milk if you can. Dutch Bros drinks have a richness to them that skim or oat milk just doesn’t replicate as well.
- Don’t skip the vanilla. It’s a small amount but it rounds out the caramel and hazelnut so the drink doesn’t taste one-note sweet.
- Warm your glass or mug before pouring if you’re making the hot version. Cold glass pulls the temperature down faster than you’d think.
- Taste as you go. Syrup brands vary a lot in sweetness, so what’s perfect with one brand might be too much with another.
Substitutions and Variations
| Original | Swap | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Irish cream syrup | 1/2 tsp almond extract + 1 tbsp brown sugar | Close in flavor if you can’t find Irish cream syrup |
| Hazelnut syrup | 1 tbsp Nutella whisked into the hot espresso | Melts in easily and adds real hazelnut flavor |
| Whole milk | Oat milk | Holds up well to strong flavors, slightly less rich |
| Espresso | Strong cold brew concentrate | Great for the iced version especially |
| Caramel syrup | 1 tbsp brown sugar simple syrup | Deeper, less artificial caramel note |
Rebel-style version: Swap the espresso for a canned energy drink and skip the milk entirely for something closer to their Rebel line.
Read this also: Copycat Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
Make Ahead Tips
The syrup mixture (caramel, Irish cream, hazelnut, vanilla) can be combined and stored in a small jar in the fridge for up to a week. That way your morning routine is really just brew, froth, and pour.
You can also brew a big batch of coffee or cold brew concentrate on Sunday and keep it in the fridge for quick assembly all week.
Nutritional Snapshot
- Calories: approximately 280
- Sugar: approximately 32g
- Caffeine: approximately 150mg (roughly 2 shots espresso)
- Fat: approximately 9g
For a lighter version: cut the syrups to half quantities and use oat milk. It knocks off close to 100 calories without losing the flavor entirely.
3 More Dutch Bros Copycat Drinks To Try
Cocomo Copycat
Blend 1 cup milk, 2 shots espresso, 2 tbsp chocolate macadamia nut syrup (or chocolate syrup + a few drops almond extract), and 1 cup ice until smooth. Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.
Annihilator Copycat
Mix 2 shots espresso, 1 tbsp chocolate syrup, 1 tbsp caramel syrup, and 1 cup milk over ice. This one leans more mocha than latte, and it’s the drink I make when I need a serious afternoon boost.
Picture Perfect Copycat
Combine 1 cup milk, 2 shots espresso, 1 tbsp white chocolate syrup, and 1 tbsp raspberry syrup over ice. Top with whipped cream. It looks fancy but takes about three minutes to make.
Leftovers and Storage
These drinks are best fresh, but the syrup blend keeps in the fridge for about a week in a sealed jar.
Leftover brewed coffee or espresso can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and used for iced versions later in the week.
I wouldn’t recommend storing the finished drink itself. The milk and coffee separate pretty quickly once they sit.
FAQ Related to
1. Can I make these without an espresso machine?
Yes. Strong drip coffee or a moka pot both work well. Just use less water than usual so it brews stronger.
2. What syrup brand tastes closest to Dutch Bros?
Torani and Monin both work well. Torani tends to run a touch sweeter, so start with slightly less if you’re using it.
3. Can I make these dairy free?
Oat milk is the closest match for texture. Almond milk works too but is noticeably thinner.
4. How do I get the layered look like they do in store?
Pour your milk slowly over the back of a spoon instead of straight into the glass. It slows the pour down and keeps the layers more distinct.
5. Are these drinks caffeinated?
Yes, all four use espresso or strong coffee. For a caffeine free version, swap the espresso for strongly steeped chai or a decaf blend.
Conclusion
Making these at home won’t save you from the drive thru entirely, some mornings just call for someone else handing you a cup through a window. But on the days you want that same flavor without leaving your kitchen, this gets you most of the way there for a fraction of the cost.
Try the Golden Eagle first since it’s the easiest to get right, then work your way through the other three when you’re ready to branch out.
Leave a comment below and let me know which one you tried and how it turned out. I’m always curious which flavor combo people end up loving most.