Ever pulled up to a Dutch Bros drive-thru and felt unsure what to say? You’re not alone. Many first-timers freeze at the window, worried they’ll make a mistake or use the wrong coffee lingo. The good news? Ordering at Dutch Bros is straightforward once you understand the system.
Unlike Starbucks or Dunkin’, Dutch Bros focuses on flavor combinations, not fixed drink names. Dutch Bros offers a wide range of flavor syrups, including classics like vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, and seasonal options that vary by location. Whether you’re at a drive-thru, walk-up window, or using the app, this guide walks you through every step to order confidently. You’ll learn how to build your perfect drink, avoid mistakes, and order like a seasoned pro.
Things to Consider Before Placing an Order
Before your first visit, keep these tips in mind:
How Dutch Bros Differs From Other Coffee Shops
Employees are called broistas, not baristas.
Drinks are built around custom flavor combinations, not pre-named menu items.
The menu includes coffee, teas, Rebel energy drinks, lemonades, smoothies, Freezes, Frosts, and hot chocolate.
Most locations operate as drive-thru or walk-up only; few have indoor seating.
Menu Structure at Dutch Bros
Drinks are grouped by base type rather than names.
Categories: Dutch Coffee, Rebel Energy Drinks, Freezes, Teas, Lemonades, Smoothies, Hot Chocolate.
Sizes: Small, Medium, and Large (cold vs. hot varies):
Small: 16 oz cold / 12 oz hot
Medium: 24 oz cold / 16 oz hot
Large: 32 oz cold / 20 oz hot
Each drink can be customized with flavors, milk options, sweetness level, and toppings.
Ordering Methods: Drive-Thru, Walk-Up, or App
Drive-Thru: Fastest during regular hours; broistas take orders while you wait.
Walk-Up Window: Ideal if parking is easier; good during busy periods.
Order Ahead App: Skip lines entirely by placing orders 5 minutes to 1 hour in advance. Works for both drive-thru and walk-up pickups.
Choose based on convenience, parking availability, and whether you want to pre-order.
How Dutch Bros Ordering Works
Dutch Bros focuses on speed and customization:
Pull into the drive-thru or walk-up window.
Broistas take your order on a tablet while you wait, so your drink is ready by the time you reach the payment window.
Tell them your drink type first (coffee, Rebel, tea, etc.).
Select size, temperature, flavor, milk type, and toppings.
Payment happens at the window or via the app.
This system ensures fresh, custom drinks are made quickly.
Step-by-Step Dutch Bros Ordering
Ordering at Dutch Bros is simple when broken into five clear steps. Understanding each step ensures your drink comes out just the way you like it.
Step 1: Choose Your Drink Type
Dutch Bros offers a wide variety of drink bases:
Coffee Drinks: The foundation for lattes, mochas, Americanos, and breves.
Rebel Energy Drinks: Fruity, carbonated, and caffeine-packed, similar to Red Bull.
Teas & Lemonades: Light, refreshing, and perfect for hot days or lower caffeine needs.
Freezes & Frosts: Icy, blended drinks; Frosts are coffee-based, Freezes are non-coffee.
Smoothies & Hot Chocolate: Sweet, comforting, and kid-friendly.
Step 2: Select Your Size
Dutch Bros drinks come in three sizes:
Small: 16 oz cold / 12 oz hot
Medium: 24 oz cold / 16 oz hot
Large: 32 oz cold / 20 oz hot
Tip: Cold drinks with lots of ice may feel smaller than their listed size, consider ordering one size up if you want more volume.
Step 3: Choose Hot, Iced, or Blended
Hot: Steamed milk and warm coffee for a classic, comforting experience.
Iced: Served over ice for a refreshing and lighter drink.
Blended: Smoothie-like texture, perfect for Frosts, Freezes, and smoothies.
Tip: Rebels and lemonades are usually served iced or blended.
Step 4: Customize Your Drink
Flavors: Over 30 options, including vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, white chocolate, strawberry, coconut, and lime.
Milk Options: 2%, oat, almond, coconut, or half and half (dairy-free options at no extra cost).
Sweetness Levels: Quarter sweet, half sweet, regular, or extra sweet.
Toppings: Soft Top, Whip, Float, Drizzle.
Tip: Beginners can start with 1–2 flavors to avoid overpowering sweetness.
Step 5: Confirm & Pay
The broista will repeat your order, check size, flavors, milk, sweetness, and toppings.
Pay using cash, card, or the Dutch Bros app. Using the app earns rewards points automatically.
Tip: Save your favorite combinations in the app for faster reordering next time.
What to Say When Ordering
A simple formula: size → drink type → customizations
Example: “Can I get a medium iced coffee with vanilla and caramel, oat milk, and Soft Top?”
If unsure, tell your flavor preference and the barista can make suggestions.
Secret Menu Ordering Tips
Dutch Bros has a vibrant secret menu, but it isn’t officially listed in stores. This means you won’t find these drinks on the standard menu board, but you can order them by describing the ingredients and flavors you want. The key to successfully ordering secret menu drinks is knowing the flavor combinations and clearly communicating them to the broista.
How to Order
Don’t ask by name, names like “Golden Eagle” or “Unicorn Blood” may not be recognized at every location.
Describe the ingredients instead. For example, say: “I’d like a breve with vanilla and caramel” rather than just “Golden Eagle.”
Specify drink type, size, milk, and temperature to make sure the broista knows exactly what you want.
Popular Secret Menu Drinks
Golden Eagle: Vanilla + caramel breve (espresso with half and half, steamed milk)
Bob Marley: Banana + coconut + chocolate (can be made with coffee or blended drink base)
Unicorn Blood: Strawberry + almond + white chocolate (sweet and creamy, typically a breve or Frost)
Additional examples: Many drinks can be adapted from flavors you already like, combine 2–3 complementary flavors over a latte, Rebel, or Frost.
Key Tips
Focus on flavor balance rather than trying too many flavors at once.
Broistas are experienced with custom orders, clear communication is enough to get your secret menu drink made correctly.
Start simple, then explore more complex combinations as you get comfortable with flavor pairings.
By understanding how the secret menu works and describing ingredients clearly, you can confidently order any of these unique drinks and even create your own custom secret menu favorites.
Dutch Bros Order Ahead Guide
Can You Order Ahead?
Yes. The Order Ahead app lets you:
Customize your drink in advance
Pay before arrival
Pick up at your chosen time
Step-by-Step to Use Order Ahead
Download & Sign In: Open app, log in or create account.
Aftershock Rebel: Strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, lime (caffeine without coffee).
Ordering With Dietary Restrictions
Dutch Bros makes it easy to enjoy drinks even if you have dietary restrictions, but it’s important to know which options are safe and which contain dairy or other allergens.
Plant-Based Milk Options
Oat, almond, and coconut milk are available at no extra cost, making it simple to customize your drink without dairy.
Half and half or 2% milk are standard dairy options, swap them out if you need a dairy-free alternative.
Dairy-Free Drink Ingredients
Chai concentrate is dairy-free, so you can enjoy chai lattes without milk.
Many flavor syrups are naturally dairy-free, but always confirm if unsure.
Ingredients to Watch
Soft Top and Whip contain milk and do not have vegan alternatives.
White chocolate and caramel sauce also contain dairy. Ask the broista if a syrup-only version is available as a substitute.
Food Items
Most food items, including baked goods, contain milk or eggs. If you’re avoiding dairy, drinks are usually your safest option.
Tips for Ordering Safely
Clearly specify your milk preference when ordering a latte, Frost, or Rebel.
When customizing, mention any allergies or dietary restrictions so the broista can help suggest alternatives.
If trying secret menu drinks, always ask which ingredients contain dairy and request substitutions where possible.
By knowing which ingredients are safe and where substitutions are available, you can enjoy Dutch Bros drinks confidently, even with dietary restrictions
How to Save Money When Ordering
Dutch Bros Rewards Program
Dutch Bros Rewards lets you earn points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for free drinks once you reach eligible reward thresholds.
Best Value Customizations
Half or quarter sweet: reduce sugar without extra cost
Sugar-free syrups are free
Skip extra-large sizes to avoid paying more for added syrup
Free Birthday Drink
Enter birthday in app signup
Reward valid for 30 days, any size up to 32 oz
Dutch Bros Ordering Tips & Tricks
Mix flavors across drinks: use Rebel flavors in lemonades, coffee flavors in Frosts.
Adjust sweetness to taste.
Swap milk options at no extra cost.
Choose espresso type: regular, white coffee, or nitro cold brew.
Toppings: Soft Top, Whip, Float, Drizzle, or Sprinkles.
Common Dutch Bros Ordering Mistakes
Using Starbucks terms like grande or venti instead of small, medium, large.
Not customizing sweetness, milk, or flavor.
Forgetting to specify sugar-free or regular syrup.
Avoiding help from broistas when unsure.
Skipping app rewards and promotions.
Conclusion
Ordering at Dutch Bros becomes effortless once you know the process. Pick your drink base, size, and temperature, then customize with flavors, milk, and toppings. Drive-thru, walk-up, and Order Ahead apps all work smoothly. Start during off-peak hours, ask questions confidently, and remember, all regular customers once started where you are now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Order at drive-thru, walk-up, or app. Specify drink type, size, temperature, flavors, milk, and toppings.
Yes, using the Order Ahead feature.
Golden Eagle, Kicker, or Aftershock Rebel are beginner-friendly.
Drive-thru & walk-up tablets for quick order taking.
