Dutch Bros Annihilator: Price, Calories, Ingredients & Copycat Recipe
Can a coffee drink with just three ingredients become the most ordered item at an entire coffee chain? The Dutch Bros Annihilator proves it can. This chocolate macadamia nut breve combines bold espresso with half and half and sweet chocolate macadamia syrup. The result is a creamy drink that tastes like dessert but packs the caffeine punch you need.
The Annihilator ranks among the top five most popular drinks at Dutch Bros for good reason. This guide covers detailed information about the Annihilator, including its price, taste, ingredients, nutrition facts, customization, ordering tips, and its copycat recipe.
What Is the Dutch Bros Annihilator?
The Dutch Bros Annihilator is a chocolate macadamia nut breve made with espresso, half and half, and chocolate macadamia syrup. This signature drink comes hot, iced, or blended as a freeze. Small and medium sizes contain two shots of espresso, while large sizes pack four shots. You can order it at any Dutch Bros location nationwide and customize it with different milk options or extra toppings.
Is the Annihilator a Breve or a Latte?
The Annihilator is a breve, not a latte. A breve uses half and half instead of regular milk. Half and half contains equal parts milk and cream, which makes it much richer than the two percent or whole milk used in lattes. This higher fat content creates a velvety texture and sweeter taste without adding extra sugar. Lattes use more milk than espresso with a ratio of one to three, while breves balance espresso and half and half at one to two.
Why It’s One of Dutch Bros’ Most Popular Drinks
The Annihilator ranks among the top five most ordered drinks at Dutch Bros for good reason. The chocolate macadamia flavor combination is rare at most coffee shops and only appears seasonally elsewhere. Dutch Bros serves it year round, which makes it accessible anytime you want it. The drink balances sweetness with coffee flavor better than overly sugary alternatives like the Caramelizer.
What Does the Annihilator Taste Like?
The Annihilator has a nutty chocolate flavor with smooth espresso notes. The macadamia nut syrup adds a buttery sweetness that pairs well with the rich chocolate base. The half-and-half creates a creamy mouthfeel similar to drinking melted ice cream. Unlike other sweet coffee drinks that taste like candy, this one maintains a strong coffee presence. The espresso cuts through the cream and syrup to keep each sip balanced.
Dutch Bros Annihilator Price
Below are the Annihilator prices that vary by location, with all sizes and versions:
Size Options | Fluid Ounces (fl oz) | Type | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
Small | 16 fl oz | Hot, Iced, & Blended | $4.50 – $5.95 |
Medium | 24 fl oz | Hot, Iced, & Blended | $4.90 – $6.95 |
Large | 32 fl oz | Hot, Iced, & Blended | $6.49 – $8.65 |
Dutch Bros Annihilator Ingredients Breakdown
The Annihilator contains just three core ingredients that work together to create its signature taste. Dutch Bros uses Torani brand chocolate macadamia nut syrup for consistent flavor across all locations. The espresso comes from their Private Reserve medium roast blend, which has chocolate undertones that complement the syrup. Half and half serves as the base instead of milk, and it gets steamed for hot drinks or poured cold over ice.
Espresso + Chocolate Macadamia Syrup
Dutch Bros pulls two espresso shots for small and medium sizes and four shots for large drinks. The espresso uses their Private Reserve blend, a medium roast with natural chocolate notes. The chocolate macadamia nut syrup from Torani delivers both flavors in one pump. Each pump adds approximately 20 calories and five grams of sugar. Dutch Bros offers a sugar free version of this syrup if you want to reduce calories without losing the nutty chocolate taste.
Half and Half Breve
Half and half is a dairy product made from equal parts whole milk and heavy cream. It contains about 10 to 12 percent milk fat compared to three to four percent in whole milk. This extra fat creates the thick, rich texture that defines a breve. When steamed, half and half produces a velvety foam that holds its structure better than regular milk.
Toppings and Add-ons
Soft Top is Dutch Bros’ signature sweet cream topping similar to marshmallow fluff mixed with cold foam. It sits on top of your drink without melting quickly into the coffee. You can add chocolate or caramel drizzle around the cup for extra flavor and visual appeal. Whipped cream is also available as a traditional topping.
Nutrition Facts
Here’s complete nutritional facts of Annihilator:
Type | Size | Total Calories (kcal) | Total Fat (g) | Total Carbs (g) | Total Sugars (g) | Protein (g) | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iced | Small | 280 | 15 | 28 | 26 | 6 | 96 |
Iced | Medium | 420 | 27 | 32 | 30 | 10 | 96 |
Iced | Large | 500 | 34 | 36 | 32 | 12 | 192 |
Hot | Small | 420 | 27 | 32 | 30 | 10 | 96 |
Hot | Medium | 560 | 39 | 36 | 34 | 14 | 96 |
Hot | Large | 640 | 46 | 40 | 36 | 17 | 192 |
Blended | Small | 440 | 11 | 73 | 68 | 12 | 125 |
Blended | Medium | 630 | 17 | 100 | 94 | 19 | 195 |
Blended | Large | 820 | 24 | 127 | 119 | 25 | 260 |
Dutch Bros Annihilator Allergens & Dietary Notes
The standard Annihilator contains dairy from half and half and may have cross contact with tree nuts during preparation. The chocolate macadamia nut syrup uses artificial flavoring and does not contain real macadamia nuts.
Dairy Allergy Warning
The Annihilator is a dairy heavy drink because it uses half and half as the base instead of regular milk. Half and half contains both milk and cream, which means it has more dairy than a standard latte. All toppings like Soft Top and whipped cream also contain dairy.
Gluten-Free
The Annihilator is gluten-free when made with standard ingredients. The espresso, chocolate macadamia nut syrup, and half and half do not contain gluten or wheat.
Best Customization Options
- Extra Sweet Version: Add one extra pump of chocolate macadamia nut syrup or request caramel drizzle on top. The extra sweetness pairs well with the espresso and creates a dessert-style drink.
- Less Sweet Version: Ask for half sweet or request sugar-free chocolate macadamia nut syrup instead of regular. You can also reduce the syrup pumps from two to one for a more balanced coffee-forward taste.
- Dairy Free Build: Substitute oat milk for the half and half to get a creamy texture without dairy. Oat milk froths better than almond or coconut milk and creates a similar mouthfeel to the original breve.
- Extra Caffeine Boost: Request an additional shot of espresso to increase caffeine content. A medium normally has two shots, but you can add one or two more shots for a stronger kick.
- Blended Freeze Style: Order the Annihilator blended instead of iced for a thick milkshake texture. Add Soft Top and chocolate drizzle for a picture-perfect presentation that tastes like frozen dessert.
- White Chocolate Twist: Ask for white chocolate sauce in addition to the chocolate macadamia nut syrup for a sweeter & creamier variation.
How to Order the Annihilator
Here’s the ordering guide of Dutch Bros Annihilator:
- Walk Up or Drive Through: Go to the Drive-thru and select Annihilator, followed by your size preference of small, medium, or large. Specify if you want it hot, iced, or blended as a freeze.
- Request Customizations First: Tell the barista any modifications before they start making your drink. Like milk alternative, sweetness adjustment, and additional toppings.
- Use the Dutch Bros App: Open the app and find the Annihilator under the Dutch Faves section. Tap the drink, select your size, choose hot or iced, then add any customizations from the modification menu before checking out.
- Order Through Third-Party Delivery: The Annihilator appears on Third-party delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and other delivery apps. Look for it in the coffee or espresso drinks category and use the special instructions box for custom requests.
- Ask for Picture Perfect: This secret menu term means your drink gets extra drizzle and toppings for a more Instagram-worthy presentation. The barista will add a chocolate or caramel drizzle with whipped cream on top.
Dutch Bros Annihilator Copycat Recipe
You can make the Annihilator at home with three basic ingredients for a fraction of the cost:
Ingredients You Need
For a Medium (16 oz) Annihilator:
- 2 shots espresso (or 3 ounces strong brewed coffee)
- 1 ounce Torani chocolate macadamia nut syrup (2 tablespoons)
- 8.5 ounces half and half
- Ice (for iced version)
- Whipped cream (optional topping)
- Chocolate drizzle (optional topping)
Equipment:
- Espresso machine, Moka pot, or French press
- Small saucepan (for hot version)
- Serving glass
- Spoon for stirring
Step by Step Instructions
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make an annihilator at home:
- Brew Your Espresso: Pull two shots of espresso using your machine or brew three ounces of very strong coffee. Pour the hot espresso into your serving glass or mug.
- Add the Syrup: Pour one ounce of chocolate macadamia nut syrup directly into the hot espresso. Stir gently to combine the flavors while the espresso is still warm.
- Heat the Half and Half (For Hot Drink): Pour 8.5 ounces of half and half into a small saucepan. Heat over medium low until tiny bubbles form around the edges and steam rises. Do not let it boil or scorch.
- Steam or Froth (Optional): Use a milk frother or steam wand to create foam on top of the heated half-and-half. This step adds texture but you can skip it if you prefer.
- Combine Everything: Pour the steamed half and half over the espresso and syrup mixture. Stir gently to blend all ingredients together.
- Add Toppings: Top with whipped cream and drizzle chocolate sauce over the top. Serve immediately while hot.
- For Iced Version: Skip heating the half and half. Fill your glass with ice first, add the syrup and cold half and half, then pour chilled espresso over the top. Stir well and add toppings if desired.
- For Blended Freeze: Combine all ingredients with one cup of ice in a blender. Blend on high until smooth and thick like a milkshake. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream.
Best Times to Enjoy the Annihilator
The Annihilator works perfectly as a morning pick-me-up when you need strong caffeine and rich flavor to start your day. The 96 milligrams of caffeine in a medium-sized coffee provide enough energy without being too intense. It also makes a great afternoon treat around two or three when you hit that midday slump. The creamy texture and chocolate macadamia flavor feel like dessert, which helps satisfy sweet cravings while keeping you alert for the rest of your workday.
Why You Should Try the Dutch Bros Annihilator?
The Annihilator stands out because most coffee shops only offer macadamia nut flavoring seasonally, but Dutch Bros serves it year-round. The chocolate macadamia combination creates a unique nutty sweetness you cannot find at other chains. The half-and-half base makes it richer than regular lattes without being too heavy or overwhelming. You can customize it endlessly with different milk options, extra shots, or sugar-free syrup to match your exact preferences.
FAQs
Conclusion
The Dutch Bros Annihilator delivers a unique chocolate macadamia flavor that you cannot find at most coffee chains. This breve-style drink balances rich half-and-half with bold espresso for a creamy texture that feels indulgent without being too sweet. You can order it hot, iced, or blended at any Dutch Bros location and customize it with different milk options or extra shots to match your taste. Try the Annihilator next time you visit Dutch Bros for a drink that combines dessert flavors with the caffeine boost you need.
