A Dole Whip at Starbucks is a frozen pineapple soft-serve treat made with Dole pineapple juice. It originated at Disney Parks and Resorts and has become a cult favorite dessert. In 2022, Starbucks added the Dole Whip to the menu at select locations for a limited time.
What is a Dole Whip?
A Dole Whip is a non-dairy frozen dessert that is vegan, gluten-free, and fat-free. The original Dole Whip treat was created by the Dole Food Company and debuted at Disneyland in 1986. It quickly became a signature snack at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
The base of a Dole Whip is Dole’s pineapple juice concentrate. It has a soft-serve ice cream texture thanks to added vegetable gums and stabilizers. The most common way to enjoy a Dole Whip is as a soft-serve, but it also comes in floats, shakes, and as a swirl with vanilla ice cream.
Over the years, Disney has created many different Dole Whip flavors and toppings, like raspberry, lemon, and citrus swirls. But the traditional pineapple Dole Whip remains the most popular.
History of the Dole Whip at Disney
The Dole Whip was created in 1986 when Disney approached the Dole Food Company to make a pineapple-based treat to sell at Disneyland. At the time, partnerships between Disney and brands were less common, making this an innovative endeavor.
The treat was an immediate success when it debuted at Aloha Isle in Adventureland. The non-dairy dessert provided a refreshing sweet treat that all park-goers could enjoy, including those with dietary restrictions. It quickly became a favorite snack at Disneyland.
In 2004, the Dole Whip treat expanded to Magic Kingdom when Aloha Isle opened in Adventureland. It was also added to other Walt Disney World parks shortly after. Today, you can find Dole Whips at every Disney park worldwide.
Part of the appeal of the Dole Whip is its exclusivity to Disney Parks. For years, there was no way to enjoy this treat outside of a Disney theme park. The company eventually capitalized on the demand by bottling the Dole Soft Serve Mix and making it available for purchase.
When Did Starbucks Add the Dole Whip?
In April 2022, Starbucks announced it would add a Dole Whip treat to menus for a limited time over the summer. It became available at participating stores across the U.S. and Canada on June 21, 2022.
This marked the first time in history that the beloved Disney Parks snack was available at a restaurant chain outside of Disney. It was part of a broader summer menu lineup that also included a Unicorn Cake Pop and Paradise Drink.
The Starbucks Dole Whip is only around for summer 2022. It will be removed from menus in late August or early September, though it may return seasonally in future years. Having it for a limited time adds to the hype and exclusivity surrounding this cult favorite treat.
How Does the Starbucks Version Compare?
The Starbucks Dole Whip is remarkably similar to the treat found at Disney Parks. It’s made with pineapple juice from Dole and has the same soft-serve texture and sweet pineapple flavor.
There are two main differences between the Dole Whip at Disney and Starbucks:
- Disney’s is dairy-free, while Starbucks’ contains yogurt
- Starbucks offers fewer flavor swirl options
The dairy element changes the nutritional value slightly. Disney’s dairy-free soft serve has about 70 calories per half cup serving. Starbucks’ dairy-based soft serve comes in around 110 calories for 6 ounces. But it’s still a relatively light treat.
When it comes to flavors, Starbucks offers the classic pineapple Dole Whip, along with raspberry and lemon swirl options. Disney provides more swirl combinations, including orange, mango, strawberry, and more.
But the core pineapple flavor is nearly identical between both versions. It transports you right back to Adventureland the moment you take a bite.
Where Can You Get the Dole Whip at Starbucks?
The Dole Whip is available at participating Starbucks locations in the United States and Canada while supplies last. Unfortunately, not every Starbucks location carries it.
To find a Dole Whip near you, you can check availability on the Starbucks app or website. Simply search for locations and look for the Dole Whip tag.
You can also call your local stores to ask if they carry it. Availability varies by region. The treats are more widely available at locations with drive-thrus rather than those inside malls or grocery stores.
How Much Does the Starbucks Dole Whip Cost?
The Starbucks Dole Whip is available à la carte or as part of a larger treats package. Here are the prices:
- Dole Whip by itself: $2.95
- Dole Whip float: $4.25-$4.95
- Dole Whip with cake pop: $5.25
The floats come in three flavors – pineapple, raspberry, and lemon – and range in price depending on your location. The cake pop flavors include classic birthday and unicorn.
Starbucks Rewards members can pay with stars to get discounts. A 150-star redemption gets you 50% off any Dole Whip treat. For 200 stars, you get a free Dole Whip.
How to Order a Dole Whip at Starbucks
Ordering a Dole Whip at Starbucks is easy – simply follow these steps:
- Check if your local Starbucks location sells the Dole Whip treat before heading over.
- Decide if you want the Dole Whip on its own or as a float or cake pop combo.
- Place your order at the register. Let the barista know which Dole Whip variety you want.
- Pay for your Dole Whip treat and any other items.
- Wait for your name to be called, then head to the pickup counter to grab your order.
- Find a seat and enjoy your Dole Whip! Be sure to snap a picture before diving in.
Keep in mind that Starbucks locations are extremely busy in the mornings. If you go later in the day, the ordering process will likely be faster.
Dole Whip Ingredients
The Starbucks Dole Whip contains just a handful of ingredients:
- Pineapple juice from concentrate
- Water
- Sugar
- Yogurt
- Natural flavors
- Fruit and vegetable juices for color
- Locust bean gum
- Guar gum
The pineapple juice concentrate gives it the quintessential Dole Whip flavor. The yogurt provides the soft-serve texture along with protein. And the vegetable gums act as stabilizers and emulsifiers to give it a creamy, smooth consistency.
The Starbucks Dole Whip is made with relatively recognizable ingredients and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.
Nutrition Information
One serving of the Starbucks Dole Whip (6 fl oz) contains about:
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 0g | 26g | 2g |
It’s lower in fat and higher in carbs compared to regular ice cream. The Dole Whip also packs 2g of protein thanks to the yogurt.
The nutrition counts vary slightly for the lemon, raspberry, and float versions. But a regular 6 oz serving ranges from 110 to 140 calories.
Overall, the Dole Whip is a tasty frozen treat that won’t completely ruin your diet. It’s more refreshing than an ice cream sundae and a smart way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Dole Whip Allergy Information
The Starbucks Dole Whip is safe for people with most common food allergies. Here are the key details:
- Dairy-free: The classic pineapple Dole Whip is dairy-free, but the lemon, raspberry, and float versions contain yogurt.
- Egg-free: The Dole Whip contains no egg ingredients.
- Nut-free: It is prepared without any tree nuts or peanuts.
- Soy-free: The Dole Whip contains no soy.
- Vegan: The pineapple Dole Whip is vegan, but the other varieties contain milk/yogurt.
It’s also gluten-free, kosher, and halal. Always notify your barista of any food allergies when ordering.
Why Starbucks Added the Dole Whip
Starbucks likely decided to add the Dole Whip for several strategic reasons:
- Boost summer sales – Frozen treats help drive traffic in warmer months.
- Capitalize on Disney nostalgia – The Dole Whip has a huge fanbase.
- Appeal to health-conscious customers – It’s fat-free and relatively low-calorie.
- Limit time availability builds hype.
- Partnering with Dole strengthens ties between brands.
The Starbucks Dole Whip checked all the boxes – it’s icy and refreshing, loaded with nostalgia, somewhat healthy, and available for just a short time. Offering this cult favorite exclusive treat was a clever move to profit from its popularity.
Customer Reviews of the Starbucks Dole Whip
Overall, customer reviews of the Starbucks Dole Whip have been glowing. Fans of the treat are thrilled to be able to get this little taste of Disney magic from their local Starbucks.
Here are some common compliments and criticisms about the Starbucks Dole Whip:
Pros:
- Tastes identical to the Disney version
- Creamy, smooth, and frosty texture
- Bright, sweet pineapple flavor
- Affordable price point
- Fun, shareable treat for kids and adults
Cons:
- Too sweet for some tastes
- Melts quickly in hot weather
- Only available for a limited time
- Not offered with as many swirl combinations as Disney
Overall, most agree that Starbucks did an excellent job recreating the magical Dole Whip treat. The response has been so positive that it will likely return again in future summers.
How to Make a Copycat Dole Whip at Home
Don’t live near a participating Starbucks or want to enjoy the treat year-round? Here’s a simple recipe to create a copycat Dole Whip at home:
Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen pineapple chunks
- 2/3 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1/4 cup non-dairy vanilla yogurt
Instructions
- Blend frozen pineapple chunks in a food processor or blender until smooth.
- Add in pineapple juice, sugar, and yogurt and blend again until incorporated.
- Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Transfer soft serve to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 more hours before serving.
For swirled flavors, divide base mix and add 2-3 tablespoons raspberry or lemon juice before freezing. Use within 2 weeks for best quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Starbucks Dole Whip dairy-free?
The classic pineapple Dole Whip at Starbucks contains yogurt, so it is not dairy-free. However, Disney’s original Dole Whip is dairy-free.
Is the Dole Whip vegan at Starbucks?
No, the Starbucks Dole Whip is not vegan because it contains milk from the yogurt. Only the original pineapple version at Disneyland and Disney World is vegan.
Is the Starbucks Dole Whip gluten-free?
Yes, the Starbucks Dola Whip is certified gluten-free. It does not contain any wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients.
Can you buy Dole Whip mix at grocery stores?
Dole actually sells its Dole Soft Serve Mix at many supermarkets now! This lets you whip up fresh Dole Whip at home. The mixes can be found in the frozen desserts section.
Does the Dole Whip have caffeine?
No, the Dole Whip does not contain any caffeine. It’s made from pineapple juice, sugar, yogurt, and stabilizing gums.
The Bottom Line
The Dole Whip at Starbucks offers the chance to enjoy a refreshing taste of Disney magic at your local cafe. This iconic pineapple soft-serve treat delivers creamy, fruity flavor in a fun, shareable way.
Though only around for summer, the Dole Whip was a hit with Starbucks customers craving something sweet and nostalgic. Here’s hoping the coffee giant decides to make this little bit of Disney happiness a permanent menu fixture in the future.