Dunkin’ is rolling out its oversized Iced Beverage Buckets nationwide on May 22, offering 48-ounce buckets of iced coffee or Refreshers for $12.99 with a strict limit of 25 per store, and it’s debuting a Cherry Lime Rickey Refresher alongside suggested combinations; Dunkin’ Rewards members also get bonus point windows the week of Memorial Day and the following week, and the buckets first blew up after a test run in New Hampshire and a TODAY show segment featuring Carson Daly, Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones.
The idea is simple and a little ridiculous: a 48-ounce plastic bucket filled with your choice of Dunkin’s iced coffee or a Refresher, priced at $12.99 so a few friends can share without constant refill trips. It’s built to be loud and obvious — which is exactly the point — and it’s aimed at summer moments like backyard hangs and long drives. The buckets are offered for a limited time and are expected to fly off shelves fast.
One important detail: each participating Dunkin’ location will sell only 25 buckets during the promotion. That cap turns a marketing stunt into a mini treasure hunt, so plan to arrive early if you want one the day they drop. Stores will vary, and availability is strictly while supplies last, so the “first come” strategy is the practical move here.
On the flavor front, Dunkin’ added a Cherry Lime Rickey Refresher — a blend of Black Cherry and Limeade — as a fresh option for filling the pail. Customers can mix that with any existing Refresher flavors, and Dunkin’ recommends combos like Raspberry Limeade, Coconut Limeade, Matcha Limeade or Strawberry Dragonfruit Limeade. Those pairings are meant to keep the bucket playful and very Instagram-friendly.
The brand even leans into the bucket’s lifestyle uses, calling it “perfect for beach days, road trips, backyard hangs and everything in between,” says Dunkin’. That quote sums up the marketing vibe: it’s not just a drink, it’s a prop for summer. Whether you actually need 48 ounces of iced caffeine is beside the point; it’s about the shared experience and the spectacle.
Dunkin’ Rewards members score extra incentives over the holiday weekend and beyond. From May 20 through May 24, members earn three times the points on Refreshers thanks to the Drink of the Week bonus, and from May 25 through May 31 there’s an Afternoon Steeak offer that awards 50 base points or 100 boosted points each day you visit after 1 p.m. These windows create a nice runway of offers around the bucket launch for anyone who’s already in the rewards system.
About that “boosted” language: (A “boosted point” is for members of Dunkin’s VIP loyalty tier where those who visit more than 12 times in a month are upgraded to “Boosted” status and get double the points in the rewards program.) It’s basically a nudge to visit more often — and if you hit Boosted, you’ll see rewards stack faster during promos. For frequent Dunkin’ customers the extra points can add up to free drinks or other perks down the line.
The bucket saga started small when a regional test in New Hampshire went viral on social platforms, sparking a wave of TikToks and shareable reactions that demanded a national rollout. The attention reached the TODAY show, where hosts sampled the giant cups and turned the moment into mainstream buzz. Carson Daly famously called the spectacle “so America,” as Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones all took turns marveling at the oversized beverages.
If you’re planning to snag one, treat this like an event: pick your flavor ahead of time, consider sharing it with friends, and be ready to wait in line on launch day. The novelty factor is the big draw, but between the limited quantities and the coordinated rewards promotions, Dunkin’ has set up a short, intense window where being first matters. For summer energy and sheer showmanship, these buckets are designed to deliver both caffeine and a conversation starter.
