Yes, a Golden Eagle can be made sugar-free
For those monitoring their sugar intake or following specific diets, Dutch Bros provides a straightforward solution for enjoying its popular Golden Eagle. The company offers a dedicated "Golden Eagle® Zero Sugar Added" item on its menu, which uses specific sugar-free components to achieve the same signature flavor profile without the added sugar. This makes it an accessible and guilt-free choice for a wide range of customers.
How to order a sugar-free Golden Eagle
Ordering your favorite drink sugar-free is simple. You have a few options depending on your preference:
- The Zero Sugar Added Option: Simply ask for the "Golden Eagle® Zero Sugar Added." This is the easiest method and ensures your drink is made with the standard sugar-free ingredients, including espresso, half-and-half, sugar-free vanilla, sugar-free caramel, and a sugar-free caramel drizzle.
- Custom Request: Alternatively, you can ask for a Golden Eagle made "sugar-free." Your broista will know to use the sugar-free syrups and sauces available. The standard recipe features espresso, vanilla, and caramel. You can specify whether you'd like it hot, iced, or blended.
Understanding the ingredients
The secret to the sugar-free Golden Eagle lies in Dutch Bros' special sugar-free syrups and sauces, which are made with sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit extract.
- Sugar-Free Syrups: These replace the standard sweetened syrups, providing flavor without the calories or sugar. Dutch Bros carries a wide variety of sugar-free flavors beyond vanilla and caramel.
- Sugar-Free Sauces: For flavors like caramel, chocolate, and white chocolate, Dutch Bros uses specific sugar-free sauces. However, it's important to note that some sugar-free sauces and other ingredients can still contain a small number of carbs, which might be a consideration for strict low-carb diets like keto.
- Milk Base: The standard Golden Eagle is a breve, meaning it's made with half-and-half. Half-and-half naturally contains some lactose, a milk sugar. To further reduce sugar, you can request an alternative milk like almond milk or oat milk.
Customizing your sugar-free golden eagle
Once you've confirmed your sugar-free base, you can further tailor the drink to your preferences. Dutch Bros prides itself on customization and their broistas are happy to help.
Milk and base modifications
- Dairy Alternatives: For those avoiding dairy or aiming for a lower-calorie drink, alternative milks are available. Almond and oat milk are popular choices. The final texture will be different from the creamy half-and-half breve, but it's a great option for those with dietary restrictions or specific health goals.
- Cold Brew or Americano Base: You can swap the espresso and half-and-half for a cold brew base with a splash of cream or alternative milk for a lighter, lower-calorie drink. An Americano, which is just espresso and water, is another option for a strong coffee flavor with minimal ingredients.
- Blended (Carburetor): If you desire a sugar-free blended version, you'll need to ask for a "carburetor." These are hand-blended and not from the machine, so the consistency may not be identical to a standard blended Freeze, but it's an excellent option for a frosty, sugar-free treat.
Toppings and drizzles
- Sugar-Free Drizzle: The sugar-free caramel drizzle is the classic topping for the Golden Eagle.
- Soft Top: Dutch Bros' Soft Top, a creamy foam topping, is not sugar-free and contains some sugar and fat. For a truly zero-sugar-added drink, you should opt out of the Soft Top.
Golden Eagle options at a glance
| Feature | Standard Golden Eagle | Zero Sugar Added Golden Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Syrups & Sauces | Regular vanilla syrup & caramel sauce | Sugar-free vanilla syrup & sugar-free caramel sauce |
| Sweetness Level | High (naturally sweetened) | Sweetened with sugar-free sweeteners |
| Dairy | Half-and-half (breve) | Half-and-half (breve) or choice of alternative milk |
| Drizzle | Regular caramel drizzle | Sugar-free caramel drizzle |
| Estimated Calories (Large) | ~560 calories | Substantially lower, depending on customizations |
| Considerations | Significant sugar and calorie content | Still contains some natural sugar from dairy, check Soft Top |
Potential considerations for low-sugar diets
While Dutch Bros offers an accessible sugar-free option for the Golden Eagle, it's important to be aware of a few details, especially for those with health conditions like diabetes or who are on strict keto diets.
Hidden carbs in sugar-free options
Some individuals have reported blood sugar spikes from Dutch Bros' sugar-free drinks. This can be due to a few factors:
- Sugar-Free Sauces: Some of the sugar-free sauces, like caramel and white chocolate, contain carbohydrates that can impact blood sugar.
- Lactose in Dairy: Even a sugar-free breve will contain naturally occurring lactose from the half-and-half.
- Cross-Contamination: As noted on Reddit, for some drinks like the blended carburetor, there is a risk of cross-contamination from the base mix, which contains sugar.
It's always best to be explicit with your broista and consider opting for alternative milk or base options if you are highly sensitive. Choosing an iced drink over a blended one may also be a safer bet for avoiding machine-related cross-contamination.
Stevia and monk fruit taste
The sugar-free sweeteners used by Dutch Bros, such as stevia and monk fruit extract, can have a distinct aftertaste for some people. Your mileage may vary, but many reviewers find the flavors satisfying and comparable to their sugary counterparts.
Exploring the menu: More sugar-free favorites
The Golden Eagle is just one of many Dutch Bros classics that can be made sugar-free. If you enjoy experimenting, consider trying these other sugar-free options:
- Sugar-Free Caramelizer®: This uses sugar-free chocolate sauce and sugar-free caramel sauce for a delicious mocha-style beverage.
- Sugar-Free 911®: For an extra kick, the 911® can also be customized with sugar-free syrups.
- Sugar-Free Rebels®: The famous Rebel energy drink can be ordered sugar-free and combined with various sugar-free syrups like peach, strawberry, and coconut.
For more information on sugar-free customization, you can visit the official Dutch Bros support page on What drinks can be made sugar free?.
Conclusion
For fans of the rich and creamy Golden Eagle, the good news is that enjoying it without the added sugar is not only possible but easy to order. By requesting the dedicated "Zero Sugar Added" version and being mindful of additional components like Soft Top and milk alternatives, you can significantly reduce the sugar and calories without sacrificing the iconic caramel and vanilla flavor. The availability of these sugar-free options highlights Dutch Bros' commitment to providing delicious and customizable beverages that cater to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences.
