Coffee milk from Rhode Island gains national attention at Dunkin'

Coffee milk, a unique beverage from Rhode Island, has gained national attention due to Dunkin's introduction of the "Dunkalatte," which features coffee milk as a key ingredient. This drink, made by mixing coffee-flavored syrup with milk, is a beloved tradition in Rhode Island, where it was officially designated as the state drink in 1993. The syrup contains coffee extract but is not brewed coffee, making it distinct from typical coffee beverages. Eli Berkowitz, CEO of Little Rhody Foods, highlighted the beverage's cultural significance, noting that it is largely unknown outside of New England. He explained that coffee milk has been a staple for generations, often enjoyed by children who wanted to emulate their parents' coffee drinking habits. The recent marketing push by Dunkin' aims to educate consumers nationwide about this regional specialty, which has puzzled many outside of Rhode Island. As coffee milk becomes more recognized, it may pave the way for greater appreciation of this local tradition beyond its home state.