How Kahlúa and Dunkin’ swirled up a delicious new cream liqueur

To discover the story behind this first-ever launch, the growing trend of ‘permissible treats’, and capturing Kahlunkin’ in a glass, we caught up with Maria Prados Alvarez, Director of Strategy, Portfolio and Innovation, and Charlotte Béchaz, Brand Manager, Licensing at Kahlúa.

Why was Dunkin’ the perfect partner for Kahlúa?

Maria: Kahlúa is already a favourite for mixing into coffee, milk, and creamy cocktails, so creating a cream liqueur was a natural step. As the world’s No. 1 coffee liqueur, who better to team up with than America’s go-to for coffee? It felt like the perfect match or, as one of our consumers summed it up: Kahlúa and Dunkin’ go together like peanut butter and jelly.

…as one of our consumers summed it up: Kahlúa and Dunkin’ go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Maria Prados Alvarez

What was the creative spark behind the collaboration, and what story are you hoping to tell through it?

Charlotte: Kahlúa and Dunkin’ are both iconic brands which are uplifting and fun, and these common values resonate extremely well with consumers. We saw a unique opportunity to bring these two beloved brands together to create a truly differentiated treat experience. But the collaboration is more than just combining flavours into an indulgent proposition, it’s about sparking curiosity, driving excitement, and expanding the boundaries of what a treat can be.

What were the biggest opportunities and challenges in translating Dunkin’s caramel swirl into a liqueur?

Charlotte: Caramel swirl is an iconic flavour that Dunkin’ fans have a deep emotional connection with. Bringing it into the world of Kahlúa allowed us to reinforce the indulgent, treat-forward positioning of our cream liqueur, while unlocking a powerful new way to engage Dunkin’s loyal consumers.

The challenge was to ensure that the caramel swirl profile felt both distinctive and authentic in a cream liqueur format – and we’re proud to say we achieved that. The result is a product that meets the expectations of Kahlúa enthusiasts, while inviting Dunkin’ lovers to experience their favourite flavour in an entirely new and exciting way.

What will surprise people most when they taste it for the first time?

Charlotte: As the world’s leading coffee liqueur, Kahlúa’s taste profile is very well-known and well-loved. But with this launch, we’re taking a bold step into the cream liqueur space, and I can’t wait for people to experience the silky creaminess of the product. It’s a more indulgent experience, while still delivering on Kahlúa’s unique taste and Dunkin’s iconic flavour. 

…with this launch, we’re taking a bold step into the cream liqueur space, and I can’t wait for people to experience the silky creaminess of the product.

Charlotte Béchaz

This is Kahlúa’s biggest investment yet in cream liqueurs. What does that signal about the segment’s opportunity?

Maria: We already know that Kahlúa is a beloved brand in the US. Consumers see it as a special treat and the perfect choice for coffee cocktails like Espresso Martinis and White Russians. But we also know there are certain at-home occasions where people want something a little simpler and easier to prepare, and this is where cream liqueurs present a unique opportunity. Kahlúa Dunkin’ Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur offers a new way to enjoy those indulgent moments – one that is easier and more accessible, but every bit as enjoyable.

How do you see this launch connecting with today’s drinking trends and occasions?

Maria: Treats are no longer reserved for special occasions. They’ve become part of everyday life where consumers seek out indulgence through small moments of self-care and reward. It’s a growing trend of ‘permissible treats’ that are easy to enjoy but still feel creative and customisable. 

Cream liqueurs fit into this space perfectly. They’re indulgent, yet effortless and can be enjoyed in so many ways: simply poured over ice with a few garnishes, as a splash in coffee, or even as a dessert. 

It’s a growing trend of ‘permissible treats’ that are easy to enjoy but still feel creative and customisable. Cream liqueurs fit into this space perfectly.

Maria Prados Alvarez

Kahlúa has a track record of playful collaborations. What makes them click with consumers?

Maria: First and foremost, a collaboration has to make sense. There needs to be a genuine fit in both values and vibe. For Kahlúa, that means partnering with brands that share our fun, disruptive personality and core values.

Second, it should bring something new to the table, an experience or flavour that consumers can’t get from either brand alone. And finally, it must be executed brilliantly, so the result is a memorable experience that truly resonates with people.

How will you bring the Kahlúa Dunkin’ Caramel Swirl story to life across markets?

Charlotte: Our campaign is a celebration of the partnership and the coming-together of two iconic, fun-loving brands. We call it Kahlunkin’ and it’s more than just a product; it’s when two things that just make sense come together to create something sensational. 

We’re unveiling the world of Kahlunkin’ across multiple touchpoints throughout the holiday season and amplifying our message in social media to drive excitement and engagement. 

The campaign is designed to be exciting and full of drama, having debuted with a telenovela-style mystery starring Academy Award-nominated actress, Salma Hayek Pinault, and pop-up tasting experiences at Grand Central. The launch also featured a “Who Is in the Cup” mystery during Bravo’s late-night show “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen”, revealing TV-star Boston Rob as the face behind the cup.  

At retail, we’re putting our creamy proposition front and centre with bold, highly visible assets to make sure consumers don’t miss it this winter.

We call it Kahlunkin’ and it’s more than just a product; it’s when two things that just make sense come together to create something sensational.

Charlotte Béchaz

Where can we find Kahlúa Dunkin’ Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur on shelves, and is it here to stay?

Charlotte: This product is a US exclusive and is already on shelves. It’s been really exciting to see how consumers are responding and hear their feedback.

Maria: And from what we’re seeing so far, it’s already winning over consumers’ hearts. We expect it to have a lasting place in the Kahlúa portfolio, especially since caramel and coffee are year-round favourites rather than seasonal indulgences.

What is the perfect serve that captures Kahlunkin’ in one glass?

Charlotte: My favourite way to enjoy it is chilled and served neat. That’s when the flavours really come through with a mouthfeel that’s silky, indulgent, and perfectly balanced. Sprinkle it with a little cinnamon and you’re instantly transported into the festive spirit.

Maria: For me, the perfect serve is a simple pour over big rocks of ice, paired with a Dunkin’ MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treat. But I also love a splash in iced coffee for an easy, indulgent twist to an everyday favourite.