For those following a ketogenic diet, finding suitable options at popular coffee chains like Dutch Bros can be a delightful discovery. Known for its wide array of beverages, from cold brew coffee to tea and energizer drinks, Dutch Bros offers customization options that allow you to enjoy your favorite flavors while staying within your keto guidelines. This guide will navigate you through the best keto-friendly choices at Dutch Bros, ensuring you can indulge without compromising your dietary goals.
Understanding Keto Basics at Dutch Bros
The keto diet focuses on minimizing carbohydrate intake to shift the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel. When ordering at Dutch Bros, the key is to keep net carbs low, ideally under 5 grams per serving. This can be achieved by:
- Choosing sugar-free syrups.
- Opting for plain bases like coffee or tea.
- Selecting milk substitutes such as unsweetened almond milk or heavy cream.
Portion size also plays a crucial role, as smaller drinks naturally contain fewer carbs.
Core Keto-Friendly Drinks
Several drinks at Dutch Bros are naturally low in carbs or can be easily modified to fit a keto lifestyle:
Americano: This simple yet bold coffee choice is made with espresso and water. A medium-sized Americano has about 2 grams of carbs. For a creamier version, add heavy whipping cream, half-and-half, or coconut milk.
Read also: Healthy Keto Recipes
- How to order: Ask for a hot or iced Americano.
- Net carbs: About 2g for a small, 3g for a large.
Cold Brew: Steeping coffee grounds in cold water for at least 12 hours results in a less acidic, caffeine-packed cold brew with a smoother texture. Try it with sugar-free Irish cream syrup.
- How to order: Get it iced or toasted (hot).
- Net carbs: 2g small, up to 4g large.
Nitro Cold Brew: A twist on the regular cold brew, the Nitro Cold Brew is infused with nitrogen for a creamy texture. It's served in medium size only and contains 3 grams of carbs.
- How to order: Request nitro cold brew, iced or hot.
- Net carbs: Estimated at 2g in any size.
Tea Time: Keto-Friendly Tea Options
At Dutch Bros, keto-friendly drinks don’t need to mean coffee only. Several teas are naturally low in carbs and offer a variety of flavors:
Green Tea: A light, antioxidant-rich option with lemongrass and citrus notes.
- How to order: Hot or iced green tea, plain.
- Net carbs: 0g.
Earl Grey: Bold black tea with bergamot for a citrusy twist.
Read also: Dutch Bros Keto Drink Guide
- How to order: Order hot or iced Earl Grey.
- Net carbs: 0g.
Paris Tea: A fruity black tea without all the caffeine found in plain black coffee. It’s made with peach, passion fruit, orange, and banana.
Decaf Ceylon Tea: A lower-caffeine alternative to black tea with the same bold flavor.
Customizing Dutch Bros Classics for Keto
Many of Dutch Bros' classic drinks can be transformed into keto-friendly options with a few simple modifications:
The Kicker: This breve-based beverage can be made keto-friendly by using sugar-free Irish cream syrup and almond milk. The original Kicker is another breve-based beverage at Dutch Bros.
- How to order: Ask for a Kicker with sugar-free Irish cream syrup and unsweetened almond milk.
- Net carbs: Around 3g for small.
Golden Eagle: This drink can be turned into one of the best keto Dutch Bros drinks by ordering it as a breve (half-and-half and espresso) with sugar-free caramel and vanilla syrups.
Read also: Lemon Berry Keto Pancake
The Caramelizer: The original Caramelizer is made with chocolate milk, rich espresso, and caramel sauce with a whipped cream topping. To make it Keto-friendly, swap the chocolate milk for plant-based milk like almond, oat, or coconut milk and ask for sugar-free caramel syrup instead of caramel sauce.
- How to order: Request a Caramelizer with sugar-free caramel sauce, no whipped cream, and unsweetened almond milk with sugar-free chocolate syrup to replace the chocolate milk.
Annihilator: This combination of half-and-half with strong espresso can be made keto by opting for the sugar-free version of the chocolate macadamia nut syrup and unsweetened almond milk.
- How to order: Order an Annihilator with unsweetened almond milk and sugar-free chocolate macadamia nut syrup.
Mocha: Create your own keto-friendly mocha magic by asking for sugar-free white chocolate syrup.
Rebel Energy Drinks: A Keto-Friendly Boost
For those needing an energy boost, Dutch Bros offers sugar-free versions of their Rebel energy drinks:
Zero Sugar Rebel: This energy drink line provides a boost without the carbs from regular ones. The Blue Rebel option makes it onto the list of sugar-free drinks and it’s comparable in taste to a Redbull.
- How to order: Say “zero sugar Rebel” and pick iced or blended.
- Net carbs: 1-3g depending on size.
Strawberry Rebel: Sparkling soda water and zero-sugar strawberry syrup come together to form this fizzy zero-carb soda.
Other Rebels: The Double Rainbro, Laser Cat, peach, and raspberry Rebels can be ordered with zero sugar.
Essential Customization Tips
To ensure your drink is truly keto-friendly, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose Sugar-Free Syrups: Dutch Bros offers a wide range of sugar-free syrups, allowing you to customize drinks without adding carbs. Experiment with flavors like chocolate macadamia nut or coconut.
- Opt for Low-Carb Milk: Replace dairy milk with unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or a combination of water and heavy cream. Half-and-half is another relatively low-carb option.
- Skip the Toppings: Avoid whipped cream, sauces, and drizzles, as they often contain hidden sugars and carbs. Always say "no whip" and "no sauces" when customizing.
- Be Cautious of Hidden Carbs: Even when ordering sugar-free or keto-friendly drinks, certain ingredients can sneak in extra carbs. Sauces, bases, and whipped cream are common culprits.
- Portion Control: Dutch Bros serves drinks in three main cup sizes. Keep in mind that portion size directly affects carb counts, even with sugar-free options.
A Note on Sugar-Free Syrups
While sugar-free syrups allow you to enjoy sweetness without the carbs, it’s important to remember that they are not necessarily nutritious. These syrups often contain artificial ingredients, fake coloring, and sucralose. Truvia is a better alternative if available.
DIY Keto Dutch Bros at Home
If you’ve been a keto worshiper for a while, you know the shortcut to a genuine keto coffee drink - just make it at home. For those who prefer making their own keto-friendly drinks, recreating Dutch Bros favorites at home is a great option. Here’s a simple recipe for a Sugar-Free Almond Milk Kicker:
Ingredients:
- 2 shots of espresso
- 1 tablespoon of sugar-free Irish cream syrup
- 4 oz of unsweetened almond milk
- Ice (optional)
Instructions:
- Brew 2 shots of espresso.
- Add 1 tablespoon of sugar-free Irish cream syrup to a 12-oz cup.
- Pour the hot espresso into the cup with the syrup.
- Add 4 oz of unsweetened almond milk. For an iced version, include a handful of ice before the milk.
Drinks to Avoid
Certain drinks at Dutch Bros are difficult to make keto-friendly and are best avoided:
- Dutch Frosts: These ice cream shakes are high in sugar and milk, resulting in a high carb content.
- Complex Rebels and Sodas: Not all syrups have a sugar-free alternative, making it difficult to create low-carb versions of the more complex flavors.
- Fruit Smoothies: Made with Torani real fruit smoothie concentrate mix, these are high in carbs due to the fruit content.
- Cocoa: This rich, creamy drink is made with chocolate milk, making it nearly impossible to craft a low-carb version.
- Dutch Bros Chai: Is not keto-friendly.
Navigating the Menu with Confidence
Dutch Bros doesn’t have an official keto menu, but you can create low-carb favorites with smart swaps. By following this guide and communicating with the "bro-istas" (baristas), you can confidently navigate the menu and enjoy a variety of delicious, keto-friendly drinks.