REVIEW: Dunkin’ Berry Sangria Refresher

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Snowflakes are in the air, turkeys are on sale at the grocery store, and festive decorations are starting to spring up all around my neighborhood. That can mean only one thing: holiday seasonal menu items are BACK!

With that declaration having been made, it was time for me to venture out to the wilds of my own (literal) backyard and head over to Dunkin’ to see what Santa brought me.

Along with the usual cookie and candy-themed items on offer was something new and distinctly different from the other holiday items: the Berry Sangria Refresher.

If you aren’t familiar with Dunkin’ Refreshers, they are non-coffee ways to get a nice caffeine boost, in fruit flavors, and they can be mixed with either tea, sparkling water, or lemonade, depending on your particular store’s selections. I tried both sparkling water and lemonade in the new Berry Sangria flavor so I could compare and contrast for you.

Sparkling Water Version

Light, carbonated, and berry-forward, this was an absolute delight to drink. As the name implies, it was very refreshing, with blueberry as the most prominent note, then a gentle mixed berry flavor, and a nice, slightly bitter finishing note that really did remind me of wine.

The sparkling water was an excellent accompaniment to the bold flavors. I thoroughly enjoyed this beverage, and it surprisingly fits in with a holiday-themed menu. It’s almost enough to make me forgive DD for discontinuing my beloved Halloween Blood Orange Refresher a few years back… almost.

Lemonade Version

While I did like this version, I have to admit I liked the sparkling water one a bit more. Something about the lemonade’s sweetness detracts from the sangria’s flavor. That bitter end note was diminished, and the whole drink felt a bit heavier, a bit less refreshing.

That said, it wasn’t bad at all, and if you like lemonade, this is an interesting new twist on an old classic with a burst of caffeine added—basically, a win in my book.

Purchased Price: $3.39 (Sparkling Water), $3.89 (Lemonade)
Size: Medium
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Sparkling Water), 7 out of 10 (Lemonade)
Nutrition Facts: Sparkling Water – 130 calories, 0 grams of total fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of total carbs, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 20 grams of total sugar, and 0 grams of protein. Lemonade – 250 calories, 0 grams of total fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 20 milligrams of sodium, 60 grams of total carbs, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 56 grams of total sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

SPOTTED (TRADER JOE’S EDITION): 11/24/2025

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Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

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(Spotted by Sarah R at Trader Joe’s.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED (SEASONAL EDITION): 11/23/2025

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Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

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(Spotted by Charles P at Walgreens.)
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(Spotted by Sarah R at Whole Foods.)
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(Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)
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(Spotted by Allison H at World Market.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED (SEASONAL EDITION): 11/22/2025

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Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

Reese's Mini Cake Kit
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(Spotted by Robbie at Five Below.)
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(Spotted by Robbie at Five Below.)
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Reese’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups Tin
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(Spotted by Robbie at Five Below.)
Terry's Chocolate Confection Popping Candy
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(Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)
Made Good Hot Cocoa Organic Crunchy Cookie Bites
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(Spotted by Robbie at Target.)
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(Spotted by Van P at Walgreens.)
Peanuts 'Tis the Season Sparkle Hot Cocoa
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(Spotted by Robbie at TJMaxx.)
Peanuts Peppermint Hot Cocoa & Marshmallows
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(Spotted by Robbie at Kohl’s.)
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(Spotted by Robbie at Costco.)
Bones Coffee Company Jolly Java Coffee Gift Box
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(Spotted by Robbie at Target.)
A-Sha Hello Kitty Hand Pulled Style Noodles
A-Sha Hello Kitty Hand Pulled Style Noodles
(Spotted by Robbie at Target.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

REVIEW: Taco Bell Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla

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Taco Bell Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla sleeve

Flat burrito.

That was the first thought that rolled into my head when I pulled out Taco Bell’s Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla from its sleeve. Despite accurately describing what I received and what the promotional photos show, “flat burrito” would obviously be a worse name for a Taco Bell menu item than “rolled quesadilla.”

However, it might be a decent name for a pop punk band. If you’re trying to come up with one, feel free to take it. You can always change it later.

Just like pop punk chord progressions, the ingredients list here is very simple: seasoned steak, a three-cheese blend, spicy ranch, and fire-roasted poblano peppers in a warm tortilla.

Taco Bell Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla innards

I presume this is the first time poblano peppers have been put in a Taco Bell product, which is particularly surprising because I had the perception that the Tex-Mex place had incorporated every possible pepper at this point into its products. But I’m glad the green vegetables are there because they add some color, crunch, and a mild peppery flavor that’s somewhat similar to standard green bell peppers.

At first, I thought the poblano was spicy, but it turned out to be the spicy ranch sauce we’ve seen in many other Taco Bell products. The tangy, mildly spicy sauce complements the other ingredients without overwhelming them.

I’m not sure if this rolled quesadilla had more or the same amount of meat as the standard quesadillas, but it sure tasted and looked super meaty in every bite. As for the three-cheese blend, it provided a hint of cheesiness in the flour tortilla.

Taco Bell Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla length

Overall, it’s a fine tasting menu item, and the addition of the poblano peppers is nice. However, let’s get back to its flat, long burrito shape. Because it’s not fanned out like Taco Bell’s standard quesadillas, it looks less substantial. And that would be fine if it had a less substantial price than the other quesadillas, but it’s just slightly cheaper.

Purchased Price: $6.59*
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 530 calories, 28 grams of fat, 14 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 70 milligrams of cholesterol, 1280 milligrams of sodium, 43 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar (including 2 grams of added sugar), and 25 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

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