Dunkin' Golden Hour Refresher Calorie Breakdown by Size
The Golden Hour Refresher from Dunkin' is a vibrant and sweet beverage made with a mix of strawberry dragonfruit, mango pineapple, and lemonade flavors. Because it is made with a lemonade base, its calorie and sugar counts are significantly higher than the standard Refreshers that use green tea. Here is the detailed calorie information for each size based on official data:
- Small Golden Hour Refresher: Contains 160 calories. This size is made with a lemonade mix and is a good option if you are mindful of your intake but still want the sweet, tropical taste.
- Medium Golden Hour Refresher: Contains 240 calories. This popular size has a notable jump in both calories and sugar compared to the small, so it's important to be aware of the difference.
- Large Golden Hour Refresher: While official data specifically for the Golden Hour flavor was not immediately available for the large size at launch, based on similar lemonade-based refreshers, the calorie count would likely be around 300-310 calories. The total sugar and carb counts will also increase proportionally with the larger serving size.
Comparing the Golden Hour to other Refreshers
The Golden Hour Refresher's lemonade base gives it a higher calorie and sugar content than the green tea-based Refreshers. For context, a medium Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher made with green tea contains only 130 calories and 27g of sugar, compared to the 240 calories and 56g of sugar in the medium Golden Hour Refresher. This significant difference is a key factor for those managing their sugar intake.
A Closer Look at the Nutrition Facts
The Golden Hour Refresher is essentially a sugary drink, with almost all of its calories coming from carbohydrates and, more specifically, added sugars. For instance, a medium contains 56 grams of sugar. The following table compares the nutrition facts for the small and medium sizes:
| Nutrient | Small | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 160 | 240 |
| Total Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 39g | 59g |
| Sugar | 37g | 56g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 15mg | 20mg |
It is important to note that the drink contains B vitamins, which are often advertised as a health benefit. However, the high sugar content largely outweighs these benefits, as pointed out by nutrition experts.
Customizing Your Golden Hour Refresher to Reduce Calories
If you love the taste but want to cut down on the sugar and calories, Dunkin' offers several customization options. Here are some tips:
- Order a custom base: You can ask for your Refresher to be made with water or green tea instead of lemonade. This will dramatically reduce the sugar and calorie content.
- Request less flavor concentrate: The flavor concentrate is where most of the sugar is found. Asking for less will reduce sweetness and calories.
- Consider a different Refresher: If you are watching your sugar, the standard green tea-based refreshers, like the Strawberry Dragonfruit, offer the same B vitamins and caffeine boost with a much lower calorie count.
The Impact of High Sugar on Your Health
Regularly consuming drinks high in sugar, like the Golden Hour Refresher, can have a noticeable impact on your blood sugar levels and overall health. The American Heart Association recommends limiting daily added sugar intake to 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women. A single medium Golden Hour Refresher contains 56 grams of added sugar, well over the recommended daily amount for most individuals. Excessive sugar consumption is linked to weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion
The Golden Hour Refresher is a sweet, tropical-flavored drink that provides a significant amount of calories and sugar, especially in its larger sizes due to its lemonade base. A small contains 160 calories, while a medium packs 240 calories. While it includes B vitamins and green tea extract for a boost of energy, the high sugar content should be a primary consideration for those monitoring their nutritional intake. By being aware of the nutritional facts and customizing your order, you can still enjoy a delicious, refreshing beverage while making more health-conscious choices.
For the most up-to-date nutritional information on all their products, it is always best to consult Dunkin's official website or their provided nutritional guides directly, which can be found online at DunkinDonuts.com.
