Latest news with #DaydreamRefresher
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What is pumpkin spice made of? Here's what's in it, where to find it
A spice so good, it has its own national holiday on Oct. 1. Pumpkin Spice season is finally here, ushering in the fall season in Florida despite the lack of typical fall temperatures. But what exactly is pumpkin spice? And why do we love it so much? Here's what to know and where you can find it. What is pumpkin spice made of? Would you believe it doesn't even have pumpkin in it? Pumpkin spice is typically a mix of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, but sometimes allspice gets thrown into the blend, too, according to All Recipes. When did pumpkin spice start? According to USA TODAY, the drink was created in 2003 by Starbucks in its "Liquid Lab." "During research and development of PSL, the team sampled a forkful of pumpkin pie, followed by a sip of hot espresso to identify the flavors from the pie that best complemented the coffee," a post on its website states. Why is America obsessed with pumpkin spice? There's actually some science behind why we are so obsessed with pumpkin spice. According to Johns Hopkins' Arts and Science Magazine, the key to why people love pumpkin spice is the smell of it. Its scent is heavily associated with holiday seasons and likely brings some comforting memories. 'Pumpkin spice aromas emerge in the fall in shops and cafes, coinciding with the arrival of colorful leaves, family gatherings, and back-to-school bustle. The association that the smell has with the season in our memories allows it to powerfully evoke the refreshing feelings of fall,' Jason Fischer, assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences, told the magazine in 2021. Science journalist Alice Gray also told the BBC in 2024 that the high levels of sugar in the drink also trigger the brain's reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals that make us crave more. Dunkin' Donuts releases fall 2025 menu. See items It's already here! Dunkin' Donuts confirmed that its fall menu arrived on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Here are the fall drinks you can sip on at Dunkin': New "Cereal N' Milk" Latte New Mixed Berry Daydream Refresher Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte (hot or iced) As for fall food items: New Chipotle Loaded Hash Browns Maple Sugar Bacon (Sandwich, Snacking Bacon, Wake Up Wrap) New Kreme Delight Donut New Iced Pumpkin Loaf Glazed Pumpkin Donuts, Munchkins Pumpkin muffins To locate an establishment near you, check its website here. Starbucks fall 2025 menu is coming. See items, date Starbucks has announced its fall menu will return Tuesday, Aug. 26. Some fan favorites and new additions will appear on Starbucks' fall menu: Pecan Oatmilk Cortado (New) Pumpkin Spice Latte (Hot or iced) Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte Italian Sausage Egg Bites (New) According to food blogger Mark Devo, a leaked menu also shows other food items returning: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Baked Apple Croissant and the Raccoon Cake Pop (Vanilla cake with chocolate icing). You can find a location near you on the company's locations page. See other places in Florida offering pumpkin spice items Want new places to get your pumpkin spice fix other than Starbucks or Dunkin'? See seven places in Florida with fall menus: Foxtail Krispy Kreme Caribou Coffee Scooter's Coffee McDonald's Wawa Joffrey's (at Disney World in Orlando, Florida) Grocery stores have also begun selling pumpkin spice items, including coffee creamers, baked goods and even premade spice blends. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Pumpkin Spice: What is in spice blend, where to find it in Florida Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dunkin'® Serves Up a Fall First: The New Cereal N' Milk Latte, Plus Lineup Full of Fall Favorites Return
Sabrina Carpenter's Daydream Refresher lineup expands, Dunkin's pumpkin spice favorites return and the $6 Meal Deal is back for fall BOSTON, August 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This fall, Dunkin' is taking mornings back to where they began: with the clink of a spoon in a cereal bowl. Launching nationwide today, the all-new Cereal N' Milk Latte transforms that memory into a sweet, nostalgic sip, blended with cereal milk and espresso. The season gets even sweeter as two-time GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar Sabrina Carpenter is back with more Daydream Refresher flavors to turn any fall afternoon into a little escape. Dunkin's fall icons also make their comeback, with pumpkin spice back in the spotlight and the $6 Meal Deal delivering unbeatable value for great-tasting breakfast all day long. A Sip of Nostalgia: Meet the Cereal N' Milk Latte Dunkin' is serving up a latte that tastes like childhood, all grown up. The new Cereal N' Milk Latte combines espresso with cereal milk for a marshmallow-cereal flavor that's creamy, rich and unmistakably nostalgic. Building on the success of the Dunkalatte™, Dunkin' is taking its latte innovation to the next level with cereal milk made with real cereal, unlocking that unmistakable bottom-of-the-bowl sweetness. Available hot or iced, it's marshmallow cereal nostalgia made for today's busy mornings—spoon-free. "This latte is all about nostalgia! The idea came from the best part of eating cereal, that last bit of milk. We all remember finishing a bowl just to enjoy those final, sweet sips, which inspired our new Cereal N' Milk Latte," said Anthony Epter, vice president of menu innovation at Dunkin'. "With our very own cereal milk blended with rich espresso, the Cereal N' Milk Latte brings that marshmallow-flavored, bottom-of-the-bowl taste in every sip. Just like the Dunkalatte, it gives the classic latte a fun new twist." And because one good throwback deserves another, Dunkin' is dropping a limited-edition Cereal N' Milk Latte-inspired merch collection at starting today at 9 a.m. ET. Taking inspiration from the golden era of cereal culture, the exclusive drop includes a crewneck ($45), graphic tee ($30) and trucker hat ($20). The merch features a range of playful throwback designs – from cereal bowls, spoons and milk cartons to graffiti-style Cereal N' Milk branding. Each piece is available in three vibrant colors, while supplies last. Dunkin' Refreshers Just Got Dreamier After the buzz of Sabrina's Strawberry Daydream Refresher, two-time GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar Sabrina Carpenter is back to round out the lineup with Mixed Berry, joining Mango and Strawberry to create a trio of Daydream Refreshers. Crafted with oatmilk and topped with velvety cold foam, each sip is indulgent yet refreshingly light. Whether you're in the mood for the tropical pop of Mango, the juicy sweetness of Mixed Berry or the creamy nostalgia of Strawberry, Sabrina's Daydream Refreshers deliver three crave-worthy flavors to match any mood. Through the Dunkin' app, guests can create their perfect sip with the Mix Your Own Refresher option. With customizable bases (green tea, black tea, lemonade, sparkling water, water, or oatmilk), flavors, and sweetness levels – there's a drink that's as creamy, bold, bubbly or tart as they like. Plus, more fun is brewing next month, so fans can stay tuned to Dunkin's social channels for what's next. The Return of Pumpkin at Dunkin' No fall at Dunkin' is complete without pumpkin. The iconic Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, hot or iced, is back to spice up the season, made with flavors of sweet pumpkin, vanilla and warm fall spices, then finished with whipped cream, caramel drizzle and a dusting of cinnamon sugar. Guests can also add pumpkin swirl to their favorite hot or iced coffee, Cold Brew or espresso drink. Joining the pumpkin lineup this year is the all-new Iced Pumpkin Loaf, a rich pumpkin and vanilla flavored pound cake topped with cream cheese icing. Individually wrapped for on-the-go convenience, it's an instant seasonal classic. Guests can pair their favorite pumpkin sips with the returning Pumpkin Bakery lineup, featuring the Pumpkin Cake Donut and Pumpkin MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treats, glazed to perfection for that unmistakable Dunkin' pumpkin fix. Savor the Season with New & Returning Favorites Beyond pumpkin, Dunkin' is rounding out the fall menu with more crave-worthy bites both sweet and savory: Kreme Delight Donut: a yeast shell filled with vanilla flavored buttercreme, topped with rich chocolate icing and finished with a vanilla flavored buttercreme rosette. Chipotle Loaded Hash Browns: Crispy hash browns drizzled with chipotle aioli and topped with crumbled bacon. A delicious take on the popular Loaded Hash Browns. Maple Sugar Bacon: A fan favorite since 2019, back in the Maple Sugar Bacon Breakfast Sandwich, Snackin' Bacon, and Wake-Up Wrap®. These join seasonal favorites like the Chipotle Hash Brown Wake-Up Wrap®, Ham & Swiss Croissant Stuffer and Braided Apple Pie, making fall at Dunkin' a full lineup of flavor. Deals Worth Runnin' On Fall isn't just about flavor—it's about value, too. And with busy schedules in full swing, Dunkin' is keeping guests fueled with deals that fit every kind of day. The popular $6 Meal Deal is back, serving up a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich, crispy hash browns and a medium hot coffee (14 oz.) or iced coffee (24 oz.) – all for $6*. For Dunkin' Rewards members, the savings stack up even higher with limited-time offers**: Through August 31: $2 10 count MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treats, with beverage purchase August 25 – October 27: 100 bonus points when ordering ahead on Mondays September 1 – 15: $1 Braided Apple Pie, with beverage purchase September 16 – 30: $2 Chipotle Hash-Brown Wake-Up Wrap®, with beverage purchase Those not yet enrolled in Dunkin' Rewards can create a free account on the Dunkin' app or by visiting To stay up to date on what Dunkin's brewing up this fall, visit or subscribe to the Dunkin' blog to receive notifications at * Excludes espresso and cold brew beverages, seasoned bacon, and loaded hash browns. Offer valid on Bacon, Egg & Cheese breakfast sandwiches only. Price and participation may vary. Limited time offer. Cannot be combined with other offers. Terms apply. **Dunkin' Rewards members only. Must activate before use. Additional charges, terms and exclusions may apply. About Dunkin' Dunkin', founded in 1950, is the largest coffee and donuts brand in the United States, with more than 14,000 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets. Dunkin' is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit and View source version on Contacts Brigette
CNBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
From sweet treats to protein boosts, chains are banking on beverages to drive sales
If it feels like there are a lot of new drinks on restaurant menus, it's because there are. Driven by younger consumers who crave customized, cold beverages, chains from Dunkin' to Dutch Bros, Starbucks and McDonald's are answering the call. The number of beverages offered by the top 500 chains has increased by more than 9% in the last year, according to Technomic's 2025 Away-From-Home Beverage Navigator Report. Companies have leaned even more into cold drinks. Offerings like specialty coffees and energy drinks have seen the most growth on menus over the past two years, as hot coffee and tea beverages on menus decline, the market researcher reported in July. What's more, consumers are increasingly heading to a chain simply to get an iced coffee or soda. Last year, the primary driver for beverage sales was "getting a pick-me-up," as 22% said that was their most common reason for going, up from 20% in 2023, the data found. Meanwhile, 20% said they bought a beverage to "wash down food." The two occasions for a purchase switched places from the previous year. "This shift suggests that consumers may be moving toward more beverage-specific occasions, where beverages are the main driver of the foodservice purchase rather than an add-on to go alongside food. This aligns with the influx of beverage-forward concepts in recent years," the report said. Higher drink sales are key for major players as they seek to reverse slumps in a tough consumer environment. McDonald's U.S. restaurants saw same-store sales growth of 2.5% in its second fiscal quarter, reversing two straight quarters of domestic declines as it leaned into buzzy partnerships and value offerings. But executives cautioned low-income consumers remain challenged. While Starbucks also saw better than expected U.S. sales, they still fell 2% from the prior-year period. Trying to capitalize on the desire for buzzy new drinks will bring its own challenges. Technomic forecasts beverage volume will grow 1% through 2029, but the group said it will likely revise that outlook lower. Customers are also more price sensitive, with 61% of consumers who said they noticed price hikes saying they order beverages less often. The success of many new beverage lines will hinge on Gen Z consumers, who have flocked to customized and sugary drinks. Dunkin' saw its colorful and sweet Refreshers platform hit new record highs in the most recent quarter, with unit sales up more than 30% year-on-year. It will release its fall menu later this week and lean further into what Gen Z consumers are seeking. The rollout will feature an expansion of pop star Sabrina Carpenter's Daydream Refresher lineup into Mango and Mixed Berry, along with a Cereal N' Milk Latte, featuring a blend of espresso and real cereal milk that delivers a "nostalgic marshmallow cereal flavor." The curation of drinks is key for customers — and Gen Z consumers in particular, Dunkin' Chief Marketing Officer Jill Nelson told CNBC. It has to feel unique and special in this environment. "On the product side, it's overwhelmingly about cold beverages, customization and bold flavor," Nelson said. "And then on the promotion side ... when we think about Gen Z, this is a generation that grew up on sneaker drops and stories that disappear in 24 hours. So it's all about how do you create new news and interesting flavor combinations that you can't really recreate easily at home and feel like you're in the know when you go to the drive through and order them," she said, adding that the company prioritizes speed and accuracy as customers ask for more customization. The competition will heat up next month as McDonald's enters the beverage category in a more meaningful way. On Sept. 2, McDonald's will launch an expanded market test in 500 restaurants across Wisconsin and Colorado of new drinks that include a "Creamy Vanilla Cold Brew" and "Toasted Vanilla Frappe." In addition, the fast food giant will roll out "dirty sodas" and Strawberry Watermelon Refreshers, aimed at Gen Z consumers. McDonald's created the lineup with learnings from its now-shuttered CosMc's concept, which leaned heavily into customized drinks. "We're seeing real momentum in beverages, with more people – especially our Gen Z fans – turning to cold, flavorful drinks as a go-to treat," said McDonald's USA Chief Customer Experience and Marketing Officer Alyssa Buetikofer in a release. On McDonald's most recent earnings call, CEO Chris Kempczinski said beverages present a "big opportunity" for the brand. "It's growing and it's more profitable than food. So, there's a lot of things to like, which is why us as well as, I think, a few of our competitors are also excited about this," Kempczinski told analysts. He added that while there are value offerings in the beverage space, you can get a lot of "full margin products" that franchisees would not have to discount. The new beverage options go beyond the sweet and bold. Chains also aim to win consumers by tapping into health trends. As Starbucks continues its "Back to Starbucks" turnaround plans under CEO Brian Niccol, it is making more changes to the menu, including a late fourth-quarter launch of protein cold foam. On the company's recent earnings call with analysts, Niccol said the item "taps into what has become one of our most popular modifiers, cold foam, which grew 23% year over year." "Protein Cold Foam with no added sugar is an easy way to add 15 grams of protein to virtually any cold beverage. And customers can also add the flavor of their choice," he said. The coffee giant said it's seeing increases in satisfaction among younger consumers. Niccol told analysts customer value perceptions were near two-year highs in its most recent quarter, driven by gains among Gen Z and millennials, who make up over half of its customer base. It's betting that innovation, coupled with better customer service under its new "Green Apron Service" strategy, will help to boost business. Coffee chain Dutch Bros has leaned into some of those beverage trends to drive strong growth. The chain has been a standout stock performer — up over 22% year-to-date — and saw its same-store sales increase more than 6% in the most recent quarter. CEO Christine Barone said protein milk that launched in 2024 has boosted business. But more broadly, unique and surprising toppings and offerings are a way to engage in a tough competitive landscape, she added. "I think the key with innovation is to really understand when something might be ready to pop, or something might be of high interest, and then be able to move really fast to execute on it well," Barone told CNBC.
