Originally founded as a donut and coffee restaurant in Quincy, Massachusetts, Dunkin’ Donuts has grown into an iconic brand known for its exceptional quality, innovation, and great-tasting food. The nearest location, by the Q17 bus stop on Horace Harding Expressway, is easily accessible to Townsend Harris students either by walking through Queens College or taking the Q25 bus. When we arrived, the donut shop was bustling with hungry students and a variety of other customers eagerly waiting for their orders. The service was very quick, as both kiosks and in-person ordering were available. Even with the upcoming holiday season, the service was still fast, readily serving the Halloween specials.
The Potion Macchiato
Rating: 8.6/10
As Halloween nears, with orange leaves falling and shortened days, Dunkin’ has released a new spooky drink, the Potion Macchiato, which is only available for a limited time.
Earlier this year, Dunkin’ reintroduced the beloved Pink Velvet Macchiato. This time, however, they changed up the commonly used orange pumpkin color scheme to purple for a striking layer of vibrancy. The purple came from a delicious marshmallow ube swirl.
The first sip delivers a sweet marshmallow ube taste with a light splash of coffee. Whether you choose to stir or not, the drink is deliciously sweet either way. Layering up the drink provides a sweet, creamy bottom and bitter espresso on top.
The Potion Macchiato has also gained popularity across social media, becoming many individuals’ new go-to drink. Regardless, many disagree with the positives about the drink, stating that it just looks good and tastes too basic. If you are curious about the taste, influencers describe the unique marshmallow ube flavor as sweet vanilla with a hint of nut.
Personally, the drink might just be my new favorite. Dunkin’s Potion Iced Macchiato is a seasonal sensation, reflecting the spooky spirit of Halloween. While some may find it too sweet or uninteresting, the flavors harmonize together to create an addictive drink. For fans of seasonal drinks, this is a must-try, simply for the originality. It won’t be everyone’s favorite fall brew, especially those with a more conservative taste, but if you’re feeling adventurous, love a good Halloween theme, and don’t mind a little unpredictability in your cup, the Potion Macchiato might just be the seasonal order you’re looking for.
The Spider Specialty Donut
Rating: 8/10
The Spider Specialty Donut was revamped from last year’s orange-colored frosting into a beautifully enchanting, purple hue. It is topped with a Glazed Chocolate Munchkin Donut Hole, resembling the body of a spider, and is adorned with chocolate icing drizzles for the legs and white chocolate icing drizzles, forming the eyes. The overall donut has a glossy glaze that creates an eye-catching shine.
Dunkin’s Spider Donut quickly became the internet’s newest sensational “diva,” after seemingly taking inspiration from McDonald’s purple pal, Grimace. The Spider Donut character has established a strong presence on social media, developing an entire persona through playful jokes, meme fodder, and a TikTok fancam. The public has been absolutely loving the Spider Donut’s humorous posts and coquettish personality.
This donut featured an incomparable soft and fluffy base. The frosting added a nice texture and overall appeal to the aesthetic of the donut. However, the Munchkin Donut Hole in the center tasted a bit dry and stale. I wish that the donut had an inner filling such as cream or jelly to add a distinctive touch.
Overall, the donut had a delightful sweetness of chocolate and icing, providing an enjoyable treat for all. It has a simple yet cute design that fulfills your inner childhood cravings. It is certainly a donut that I would recommend trying at least once for the experience, but it is not anything unique that I’d get every time like the Potion Macchiato.