Tuesday, April 5, 2011

"D" is for Dunkin' Disaster.

photo from livbit.com
I love my coffee. I have a Keurig one cup coffee maker, and every morning I throw in a little k-cup of Rain Forest Nut, or Hazelnut, or, if I'm really feeling frisky, Pumpkin Spice, and presto, I have my own perfect cup of coffee. Throw in a little stevia and a dash of milk, and I'm in coffee heaven.

Except, of course, on the days that someone forgets to leave me a swallow of milk for the coffee. Now, everyone knows the rule. Mom needs her coffee. Do not finish it. Ever. The Mommy Monster might just rear her ugly head.

So, today, when I searched the fridge for any type of milk-like substitute, I tried not to panic. In the past, I have used ice cream (any flavor--even strawberry), cool whip, soy milk, and almond milk. The first two work well, the last two, yuck. I mean, I'll put soy milk and almond milk on my cereal, but for some reason, they just make my coffee taste un-coffee-like. Coming up empty handed this morning, and running late to a swim lesson for my daughter, I decided I'd do the Dunkin'.

An hour later, feeling decidedly zombie-ish, I scoured the Dunkin' Donuts menu. I'd had bad luck in the past, and wanted to drink something yummy. I do like their coffee coolattas, but didn't feel like dessert so early in the morning. So I thought I would try the mocha swirl latte. Chocolate, foamed milk, and coffee? What could go wrong?

I took one sip and considered turning on my heals to exchange it. It tasted like it had been burned over a camp fire, while my son dumped in charred, chalky dirt. Had time permitted, I would have not suffered through the deluge of disgustingness. Luckily it was small and I finished it in a few sips.

Now I wait for the caffeine to kick in.

So, please tell me, what do you order when you order coffee at DD? What is good? What tastes the least like they swirled charcoal dust in? I'm horrible at ordering at Starbucks too--I freeze like a deer in headlights.

And, it made me think of how books are really personal preference, and that agent rejection shouldn't be taken personally. I'm sure that the girl in the pigtails and skimpy pleated shirt and platform boots behind me would have loved my coffee. One person's charcoal swirled burned disaster is another person's yum. :)

13 comments:

  1. I confess, I am not a coffee drinker. I do however love Dunkin Donuts! Chocolate covered, please.

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  2. As a rule, I don't get Dunkin hot coffee. (I drink coffee for the caffeine, not the flavor.) If I don't get a coolatta, I get a black iced coffee and suck it down in ten minutes. Oddly, at Starbucks, it's just the opposite, I only get hot drinks with lots of sugar and espresso.

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  3. We don't even have a DD here...Smalltown, America #FTW.

    Sorry I wasn't around this morning to act as your caffeine.

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  4. Don't like flavored coffees. but I feel for you!!

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  5. Hi, new friend! How about just coffee with regular creamer? Nothing beats it (as far as I'm concerned). Bless you, dear. Hope tomorrow goes better for you!
    Ruby

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  6. Hi, again, by the way, I just saw the pic of your little boy... he looks adorable!
    Ruby

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  7. I don't drink a lot of coffee. When I do I usually drink espresso.

    I love DD's iced lattes.

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  8. I know that you are brilliant as you own an Keurig. Although I don't agree with the fake milk stuff (shudder).

    I put my milk or heavy cream (have used ice cream too) in the microwave with my fake sugar, Splenda and voila...heaven.

    I never touch my cappucino machine anymore, maybe I'll donate it to starving children...

    Glad to be following you.

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  9. I don't like fancy coffees like that so I order a black cinnamon with cream on the side so I can put it in myself. I've never used ice cream though!

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  10. I don't usually order coffee there. I can totally relate to needing coffee & milk with it. I get irritated when my family doesn't leave me any, but usually there's some ice cream for a pinch. I must have my coffee!

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  11. Oh yeah, the almond milk thing. Coffee's already nutty enough!

    I've only had Dunkin' at home, and it's the only brand I used to drink. Now, sadly, for health reasons, I don't drink. :(

    I hold vigil every morning.

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  12. We don't have a Dunin' in town, but I loved your story. At our local drivethru I usually order an 8 oz. single dry cappuccino. No sugar, low cal, and perfect amount of buzz.

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  13. Alex--the donuts are hard to pass up! I prefer the Boston Cremes.

    Alicia--I do prefer Dunkin's iced coffees. Bad for wintertime, though. Next time I'll stick with what I actually know I like. :)

    J--A place in America without DD? #I'llbelieveitwhenIseeit

    P and I--Thanks!

    Ruby--Thanks so much for hanging out here! Good advice, that I will follow next time.

    Medeia--I'll put the iced latte on my summer drink list. :)

    WRW--Thanks for the follow. Your concoction sounds delic. You're welcome to come by for coffee any time!

    Laura--I have never even heard of black cinnamon. Cinnamon in coffee sounds perfect!

    Natalie--Ah, one who knows!! :)

    Dierdra--Thanks so much for the awesome award! It's sooo beautiful!

    Kris--So sad that coffee has left your life. I have only started drinking it since I had my third child--so only five years. But. Totally addicted.

    MG--Another no Dunkin'! Single dry cappuccino. Sounds great. :)

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