Dutch Bros Coffee has gained immense popularity for its extensive menu and customizable drinks. For those following a ketogenic diet, navigating the menu can seem daunting. However, with a few smart choices, you can enjoy a delicious and keto-friendly experience at Dutch Bros. This article focuses on how to enjoy a Keto Caramelizer, along with other keto-friendly options available.
Understanding the Caramelizer
The Caramelizer is a popular Dutch Bros drink, celebrated for its rich combination of chocolate and caramel flavors. The standard Caramelizer blends espresso, chocolate milk, and caramel. Its chocolatey flavor combined with the buttery taste of caramel easily sets it up above a standard mocha. However, the traditional recipe is high in sugar, making it unsuitable for a ketogenic diet.
The Keto Caramelizer: Reimagined
The Keto Caramelizer offers a way to enjoy the signature caramel mocha flavor without the carbs. Here's how to order or create a keto-friendly version:
- Base: Start with cold brew as a base. The Keto Caramelizer is a refreshing and lighter version of the Caramelizer, featuring cold brew as one of its simple ingredients.
- Cream: Add a splash of heavy cream for richness and to increase the fat content.
- Sweetener: Utilize sugar-free caramel syrup and sugar-free chocolate sauce to replicate the caramel mocha flavor. Dutch Bros offers a variety of sugar-free syrups, including caramel and chocolate.
Ordering Keto at Dutch Bros: General Tips
Enjoying Dutch Bros iced coffee on keto just takes smart ordering. To stay keto, skip the sugar, choose low-carb milk, and use Dutch Bros’ nine sugar-free syrups like caramel, chocolate macadamia, or Irish cream. Keto fans don’t have to skip Dutch Bros anymore. The trick is knowing what to ask for - small changes in milk or syrup can turn a sugar bomb into a keto-friendly boost. Dutch Bros makes it easy to keep your coffee keto-friendly if you know what to ask for.
- Milk Alternatives: Replace regular milk with a low-carb alternative like almond milk, coconut milk, or heavy cream. Be mindful that regular and 2% milk add 10-12 grams of sugar per cup.
- Sugar-Free Syrups: Opt for sugar-free syrups to add flavor without the added carbs. Dutch Bros also offers “Dutch Classics” in sugar-free versions, so you can enjoy the same signature flavors with fewer carbs.
- Avoid Sauces: Be cautious of sauces, as they often contain added sugars.
- Customization is Key: Don't hesitate to customize your drink to fit your dietary needs.
Modifying the Caramelizer
- Sugar-Free Caramelizer: For a healthier alternative, get the Sugar-Free Caramelizer. In this version, the chocolate milk is swapped for half and half.
- Almond Milk Caramelizer: In this version, chocolate milk is replaced with almond milk.
Other Keto-Friendly Options at Dutch Bros
Beyond the Keto Caramelizer, Dutch Bros offers several other options that can be adapted for a ketogenic diet:
Read also: Healthy Keto Recipes
- Americano: Possibly the best keto staple at any joint out there. Americano is a black, espresso-based drink that originated in Italy. It’s made by combining one or two shots of espresso with hot water. If you want to make it creamy (and more keto-friendly thanks to a higher fat content!), ask your barista to add heavy whipping cream, half and half, or coconut milk if you’re dairy free.
- Breve: Dutch Bros keto options include the breve which is simply an espresso-based drink made with half and half in lieu of milk. At the bottom, you’ll get a shot or two of espresso, steamed half and half in the middle and a frothy layer of half and half foam on top.
- Cold Brew: Cold Brew (plain, unsweetened) is the cleanest option. Keto Cold Brew (Heavy Cream + Sugar-Free Syrup) is more of a custom order than a standard menu item. Using heavy cream and sugar-free flavors gives a rich, low-carb option.
- Rebel Energy Drinks: At Dutch Bros, keto-friendly drinks don’t need to mean coffee only. This Blue Rebel option makes it onto the list of sugar-free drinks and it’s comparable in taste to a Redbull. Same as its sister drink above, the Peach Rebel is a sugar-free drink made with peach flavoring. All Dutch Bros Rebel energy drinks are sugar-free, gluten-free and made with all-natural flavors.
- Teas: You can get a Paris Tea at Dutch Bros - it’s made with peach, passion fruit, orange, and banana. It’s a fruity black tea without all the caffeine found in plain black coffee. Earl grey has a distinct flavor that comes from the addition of bergamot oil, which gives it its characteristic aroma and an invigorating taste. It’s perfect when sugar-free and doesn’t need any additional sweeteners. Actually, green tea is the best tea out there in my opinion. Need a sip to satisfy your sweet cravings while keeping it sugar-free? This flavorful punch comes from both the blend of aromatic spices and cinnamon itself. Did you know this type of tea is a wonderful source of antioxidants? What if you want something warm (or iced), but tasty?
Dutch Bros Drinks that can be ordered with Sugar Free flavors
Looking for a low sugar option? Dutch Bros has you covered! You can still enjoy many of the flavors you have come to know and love, minus the extra sugar! Below are eight of our favorite Dutch drinks that can be ordered with sugar free flavors!!
- Kicker: There's nothing more classic than a Kicker®! A delightful breve with a blend of espresso and sugar free Irish cream syrup gives you the kick you need to get you through the day. Just like a regular kicker, this spin off can be ordered hot or iced!
- Caramelizer: This Dutch Bros fan favorite can be made with sugar free flavors with our bold espresso, half and half and sugar free caramel and chocolate sauces. Available hot or iced!!
- Annihilator: Feeling nutty? Join the club! The Annihilator® perfectly blends strong espresso, half and half and sugar free chocolate macadamia nut syrup to satisfy your cravings.
- Double Torture: Ordering low sugar doesn’t have to be torture. Our Double Torture® is made with our bold espresso paired with sugar free vanilla syrup, half and half with sugar free chocolate sauce and an extra double shot of espresso.
- Cocomo: Big coconut fan? We sure are! The Cocomo® is a blend of sugar free coconut syrup and half and half with sugar free chocolate sauce. Go ahead - it’s okay to close your eyes and pretend you're sippin’ out of a coconut, we won’t judge!
- Golden Eagle: The Golden Eagle® will have you soaring through your day. This classic is a creamy breve featuring bold espresso, sugar free vanilla syrup and sugar free caramel sauce.
- Mocha Cold Brew: The power of cold brew with the luxury of chocolate. Our Mocha Cold Brew is a combo of our refreshingly bold Cold Brew paired with decadent sugar free chocolate sauce.
- Double Rainbro: For those dedicated Rebel fans - Did you know that we offer our signature Rebel in a sugar free option? Pair this with a sugar free blend of strawberry syrup, peach syrup + coconut syrup and you have yourself a Double Rainbro!
Considerations for Sugar-Free Syrups
While I’m happy Dutch Bros keto drinks can be customized in plenty of ways, it’s important to remember that these sugar-free syrups are not by any means nutritious or healthy. One serving contains only 1 gram of carbs, a tiny bit of sodium, and essentially no sugar. On the other hand, each one of these sugar-free syrup choices contain artificial ingredients, fake coloring, and sucralose. Keep this in mind when ordering sugar-free drinks.
Sweeteners
As I said when talking about sugar-free syrups, Truvia is your best bet here without spiking your insulin levels.
Plant-Based Options
Yes, they do! Just ask your barista for a plant-based, keto-friendly alternative.
Nutritional Information
Even sugar-free drinks can sneak in carbs if you’re not careful. A 24 oz Keto Cold Brew clocks in around 3g net carbs, 12g fat, and 180 calories when made with heavy cream and sugar-free syrup.
Read also: Keto Pizza Options Explored
Customization Tips
- Half Sweet or Quarter Sweet: You can request to have your drink made half sweet or even a quarter sweet. Let your broista know when they take your order!
- Sugar-Free Flavors: All of our Dutch fave menu drinks (Kicker®, 911®, Annihilator®, Caramelizer®, Cocomo®, White Mocha, Double Chocolate Mocha, Double Torture®, Golden Eagle®) can be made with sugar free syrups and sauces! We're also happy to handcraft a specialty drink for you using our sugar free flavors. Our sugar free flavors include white chocolate, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, chocolate macadamia nut, hazelnut, irish cream, coconut, raspberry, peach and strawberry.
Additional Information
Dutch Bros has a wide range of drinks ranging from cold brew coffee to tea and energizer slushy-like drinks.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
tags: #dutch #bros #keto #caramelizer #ingredients