Dunkin’ is shaking up its summer menu again, this time with a new star drink and a push toward more customizable options. The chain has rolled out the Golden Hour Dunkin’ Refresher, a fruit-forward drink blending mango, pineapple, and strawberry dragonfruit flavors with lemonade. Actor Gavin Casalegno, best known for his role in The Summer I Turned Pretty, is fronting the campaign as Dunkin’s self-declared “King of Summer”.
The launch goes beyond one drink. Dunkin’ is leaning into the iced beverage market with fresh flavors and app-exclusive creations. Customers can try the new Blueberry Breeze Refresher or mix their own combination using the brand’s expanding menu of bases and add-ins. Here’s what the update means for fans and why Dunkin’ is focusing heavily on drinks this season.
What’s new on the Dunkin’ menu
The highlight of this rollout is the Golden Hour Dunkin’ Refresher. It’s designed to capture the flavor of summer with a mix of tropical fruit and lemonade, and it’s meant to stand out as both refreshing and customizable. Casalegno appears in Dunkin’s latest ad campaign, lounging poolside and linking the drink to the relaxed energy of a summer sunset.
Joining it is the Blueberry Breeze Refresher, another limited-time option, while the Dunkin’ app unlocks more experimental flavors like the Guava Strawberry Black Tea Refresher and Blueberry Strawberry Sparkling Refresher.
Customers can also take control with the “Mix Your Own Refresher” option, which lets them combine bases like black tea, green tea, lemonade, sparkling water, or oatmilk with different fruit blends and sweetness levels.
Why it matters for Dunkin’ and its customers
Dunkin’ has long been defined by coffee and doughnuts, but in recent years, it’s made clear that iced drinks are just as central to its strategy. By focusing on refreshers and fruit-based beverages, the brand is positioning itself directly against Starbucks and other players in the cold-drink category, which has exploded in popularity among younger consumers.
The campaign also leans into pop culture. Earlier this summer, Dunkin’ collaborated with Paige DeSorbo and Sabrina Carpenter on special drinks. Now, with Casalegno as the face of Golden Hour, the company continues to tie new menu launches to social media buzz and celebrity influence. It’s a tactic meant to draw attention not just to the product but also to the brand’s place in everyday culture.
Not all attention has been positive, though. The ad tied to the Golden Hour Refresher sparked some criticism for its use of the word “genetics”, released shortly after another campaign from American Eagle that faced backlash for similar wording. While some saw the Dunkin’ spot as lighthearted, others questioned the timing. Dunkin’ has not commented directly on the pushback, but the promotion remains in full swing.
This summer menu shift shows where Dunkin’ is heading: more options, more customization, and more marketing aimed squarely at younger audiences. Whether you’re in it for the fruit-forward flavors or your unique drink, Dunkin’s latest menu update shows that iced drinks are becoming just as important as its coffee lineup.
