There’s something about that first sip of Dunkin’ Original Blend that always brings me back to early morning drives. The sky barely waking up, dashboard lights still glowing, and that soft paper cup warming both hands through the window chill. It was never fancy, but always familiar. That rich, mellow flavor, just strong enough to matter, just smooth enough to relax into. No bitter bite, no floral fuss, just coffee that felt like it had your back.
If you’ve longed for that same comfort from your own kitchen, this Dunkin’ Original Blend copycat recipe is for you. It’s smooth, low in bitterness, and has that light toasted nut and cocoa feel that makes Dunkin’ a favorite for so many. Whether you’re skipping the drive-thru or just wanting a reliable brew you can tweak at home, this one nails the vibe.
Simple beans, balanced flavor, and a brew that plays nice with cream or sugar, or nothing at all.
Table of Contents
How to Make Copycat Dunkin’ Original Blend Hot Coffee
Start with a balanced medium roast, think 60% Brazilian for body and 40% Central American for lift. Grind to a medium drip consistency, like coarse sand. Heat your water just off the boil (around 200°F), then brew using your favorite method, drip, pour-over, or French press. Keep it smooth with the right ratio (1:18 is your sweet spot), and don’t forget the water matters more than most folks admit. Pour it hot into your favorite mug, add cream and sugar if that’s your style, and sip like you’re back in line at the Dunkin’ drive-thru. No styrofoam, no traffic, just you and your perfect cup.
Nutrition Facts (Per 16 oz cup, black)
- Calories: 5
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Caffeine: ~180 mg (varies)
(Add ~50–70 cal per tablespoon of cream and 16 cal per teaspoon of sugar)
Ingredients
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Brew Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 9 minutes
Servings: 2 (16 oz mugs)
- 34 g medium roast ground coffee (see note)
- 600 g (about 20 oz) filtered water at 200°F
- Optional: pinch of salt (just a tiny one, to soften bitterness)
Note: Use a blend of 60% Brazil natural and 40% Central American Arabica beans for the most authentic flavor. See “Ingredient Substitutes” below for store-bought options.
Tools You’ll Need
- Drip coffee maker, pour-over setup, or French press
- Burr grinder (if starting with whole beans)
- Kitchen scale (for accuracy) or tablespoon if eyeballing
- Gooseneck kettle or regular kettle (if using pour-over)
- Timer
- Coffee mug (or your favorite travel tumbler)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep your grounds
Measure out 34 grams of ground coffee (or about 5 tablespoons if not weighing). Use a medium grind, like coarse sand, not too fine or it’ll get bitter. If using whole beans, grind fresh for best flavor.
Step 2: Heat your water
Bring filtered water to about 200°F (just off boiling). If you don’t have a thermometer, boil water then let it sit for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Brew
Drip machine: Add grounds to a rinsed filter, pour water into reservoir, and start brew.
Pour-over: Bloom with 60 g water for 30 sec, then pour in slow circles to reach 600 g total over 2½–3 minutes.
French press: Pour all 600 g of hot water over grounds, stir, cover, and steep 4 minutes. Then press gently.
Step 4: Serve
Pour into your favorite mug. Enjoy black or dress it up with cream and sugar, just like a Dunkin’ counter lets you.
Tips
- Rinse your paper filter before brewing to remove any papery taste.
- Store beans in an airtight container away from light and heat.
- Avoid keeping brewed coffee on a hot plate longer than 20 minutes, it’ll taste bitter and stale.
- A pinch of salt in the grounds can soften bitterness without making it salty. Try once and see what you think.
Optional Topping Ideas
If you’re in a fun mood or serving to guests:
- Frothy steamed milk or foam for a faux-latte vibe
- Whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkle for a cozy treat
- Ice cubes made from leftover brewed coffee for iced versions
What to Serve With
Cozy morning pairings
- Cinnamon coffee cake. A crumbly, sugary bite with hints of spice goes hand-in-hand with the mellow strength of this coffee.
- Plain or glazed donut. A true Dunkin’ classic pairing. The coffee balances out the sweetness so you don’t end up overloaded.
- Toasted English muffin with butter. The light crunch and saltiness of an English muffin is understated and perfect if you’re sipping the coffee black.
On-the-go favorites
- Bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. That savory richness meets the gentle acidity of the brew perfectly. This pairing is basically a portable hug.
- Granola bar or protein cookie. If you’re dashing out the door, this combo keeps things balanced without feeling rushed or overly sweet.
- Peanut butter toast. A creamy, slightly salty base pairs beautifully with the warm, roasted coffee notes.
Unexpected but lovely
- Orange slices. A bite of citrus between sips brightens the palate and brings out subtle fruity notes in the coffee.
- Dark chocolate square. Just a nibble of dark chocolate makes the coffee taste smoother and richer.
- Avocado toast with sea salt. Creamy, savory, and earthy meets roasty, balanced coffee, it works better than you’d guess.
Variations
Cold Brew Dunkin’ Style
Use the same beans but steep 70 g coffee in 1 liter cold water overnight (12–16 hours). Strain and serve over ice with a splash of cream or oat milk.
Iced Dunkin’ Original
Brew hot at double strength (use 34 g coffee to 300 g water). Pour directly over a cup full of ice. Add cream, sugar, or flavored syrup.
Pumpkin Spice Dunkin’
Add ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice to the grounds before brewing, and sweeten the final cup with a splash of vanilla and a bit of cream.
Maple Cinnamon Twist
Stir in 1 tsp maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon into your cup. Smooth, autumnal, and delicious.
Bourbon Coffee (Adult Version)
Add ½ oz bourbon and a teaspoon of brown sugar to your mug. Stir well. Works especially well with cream.
Ingredient Substitutes
Coffee Beans
- Original: 60% Brazil natural + 40% Central American washed (medium roast)
- Substitute: Any Latin American medium roast labeled “house blend,” or mix a bag of Brazilian with a Guatemalan or Honduran roast
- Store brand tip: Trader Joe’s, Peet’s “Colombia Luminosa,” or Starbucks “House Blend” work in a pinch
Water
- Original: Filtered, 195–205°F, SCA Golden Cup guidelines
- Substitute: Bottled spring water or filtered tap water. Avoid very hard or softened tap water.
Cream and Sweetener (optional)
- Cream: Use whole milk, half-and-half, oat milk, or dairy-free creamer
- Sweetener: Regular sugar, maple syrup, brown sugar, or monk fruit sweetener all work well
- Dunkin’ lovers may like 1 cream and 1 sugar per 10 oz mug, adjust to taste
Grind
- Original: Medium grind
- Substitute: Pre-ground “drip coffee” labeled bags work fine, but grind fresh if possible
Honest Review
After brewing this a handful of times, I can honestly say, it’s the closest I’ve gotten to that Dunkin’ cup without hopping in the car. The flavor’s smooth, mellow, and somehow both bold and easy-drinking. No weird bitterness, no floral notes trying too hard. Just that classic “good coffee” vibe you can sip without overthinking.
Is it exactly like what you get from the store? Maybe not 100%. They’ve probably got proprietary blends, roasting curves, and industrial brewers I can’t match. But taste-wise? This totally hits the same note. Especially when you use filtered water and the right roast. It plays nice with cream and sugar, but also holds up black, like any decent diner-style coffee should.
If you’re craving that Dunkin’ comfort without the drive-thru, this one’s absolutely worth adding to your morning ritual.
Ingredients
Instructions
Measure out about 34 grams of ground coffee, or roughly five tablespoons if you’re not using a scale. Aim for a medium grind that feels like coarse sand—fine enough to extract flavor but not so fine that it turns bitter. If you have whole beans, grind them fresh just before brewing for the best aroma and taste. Heat your filtered water to around 200°F, which is just below boiling. If you don’t have a thermometer, bring it to a boil and let it rest for about 30 seconds.
For a drip machine, add the grounds to a rinsed filter, fill the reservoir with water, and start the brew. For a pour-over, bloom the grounds with about 60 grams of water for 30 seconds, then continue pouring in slow circles until you reach around 600 grams total over about two and a half to three minutes. For a French press, pour 600 grams of hot water over the grounds, stir gently, cover, and steep for four minutes before pressing slowly. Once it’s ready, pour your coffee into a favorite mug and enjoy it black or with a touch of cream and sugar, just the way you’d get it at Dunkin’.
Notes
Calories: 5 Total Fat: 0 g Sodium: 10 mg Carbohydrates: 0 g Sugar: 0 g Protein: 0 g Caffeine: ~180 mg (varies) (Add ~50–70 cal per tablespoon of cream and 16 cal per teaspoon of sugar)
