Dutch Bros Kicker Recipe: How to Make at Home

If you’re a fan of Dutch Bros Coffee, you’ve likely tried (or at least heard of) their famous Kicker — a rich, creamy espresso drink infused with Irish cream syrup and topped with velvety half-and-half. Recreate this café favorite at home in just minutes with this copycat recipe! The ingredients, steps, and tips to make this indulgent drink will be broken down below.

What Is a Dutch Bros Kicker?

The Kicker is Dutch Bros’ signature espresso beverage, combining bold espresso with sweet Irish cream syrup and a splash of half-and-half. It’s typically served hot, but can also be enjoyed iced.

For coffee lovers, this drink is a must-try due to its perfect balance of robust coffee flavor and creamy sweetness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Espresso: 2 shots (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee).
Irish cream syrup: 2 tablespoons (Torani or Monin work well).
Half-and-half: ¼ cup (substitute with heavy cream or dairy-free alternatives).
Optional toppings: Whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or caramel drizzle.

What You’ll Need

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Espresso

2 shots (or ½ cup strong coffee)

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Irish Cream Syrup

2 tablespoons (Torani/Monin recommended)

Sugar-free version available

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Half-and-Half

¼ cup

Sub with cream or dairy-free alternatives

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Optional Toppings

Whipped cream, chocolate shavings, caramel drizzle

Nutritional Breakdown

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220 Calories

Moderately indulgent coffee treat

Swap half-and-half with almond milk (-50 kcal)

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25g Carbs

Primarily from Irish cream syrup

Use sugar-free syrup (↓ to 5g carbs)

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10g Fat

From dairy in half-and-half

Try oat milk (↓ to 2-3g fat)

Customization Tips for Dietary Needs

Low-Sugar: Skip the syrup or use a stevia-based alternative.
Dairy-Free: Substitute half-and-half with coconut cream or oat milk.
Keto-Friendly: Use heavy cream and sugar-free syrup (net carbs: ~2g).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brew the Espresso

Pull 2 shots of espresso using a machine or Moka pot. No espresso maker? Use strongly brewed coffee instead.

Homemade Dutch Bros Kicker with whipped cream topping.

2. Sweeten with Syrup

Add Irish cream syrup to your mug. For a homemade twist, mix 1 tbsp vanilla syrup + 1 tbsp caramel syrup.

brewing, syrup mixing, and layering steps.

3. Combine and Stir

Pour the hot espresso over the syrup and stir well.

A barista table view of serving in a clear glass with ice and a straw.

4. Add Cream

Slowly pour half-and-half over the back of a spoon to create a layered effect.

A table view of an Irish cream syrup bottle and a homemade version.

5. Optional Toppings

Finish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings for extra decadence.

Dutch Bros Kicker vs. 911:

Which Coffee Kick Fits Your Vibe? You’re looking at the Dutch Bros menu, trying to decide between the Kicker and the 911. Both offer a caffeine boost, but they are just as distinct as a cozy campfire and a fireworks show.

The Kicker: Your Creamy, Sweet Sidekick

Caffeine: ~150mg (2 espresso shots).
Flavor: Irish cream syrup + half-and-half = a dessert-like hug in a cup.
Best for: Folks who want a gentle lift without jitters. Think: 9-to-5ers craving a midday treat or a “coffee dessert” after dinner.
Fun fact: 220 calories per serving—about the same as a small slice of banana bread.

The 911: The Espresso Powerhouse

Caffeine: ~450mg (6 espresso shots).
Flavor: Bold, unapologetic espresso with a splash of cream. No sweetness, just pure rocket fuel.
Best for: Night owls, exam-crammers, or anyone who needs to outrun a Monday. It’s the “emergency button” of coffee.
Fun fact: At 450mg, it packs nearly 3x the caffeine of a standard energy drink.

	Kicker	911
Caffeine	150mg (gentle nudge)	450mg (defibrillator for your soul)
Sweetness	Caramel-tinged, creamy	Bare-bones, no-nonsense
Calories	~220 (indulgent)	~50 (minimalist)
Best Time	Mid-morning slump	3 PM deadline panic

Who Wins? Depends on Your Mission

Choose the Kicker if…
You’re here for vibes, not volts.
Sugar crashes are your nemesis.
You’d pair coffee with a pastry (no shame!).
Choose the 911 if…
Sleep is a myth, and deadlines are real.
You’d drink espresso straight from the portafilter.
“Subtle” isn’t in your vocabulary.

The Final Sip

The Kicker and 911 aren’t rivals—they’re different tools for different fools. Crave comfort? Go Kicker. Need to outrun a tornado of tasks? The 911’s your wingman. Either way, Dutch Bros wins.

Pro Tip: Try both on alternating days. Your taste buds (and productivity) will thank you. ☕💥

Pro Tips for the Perfect Kicker

Iced Version: Pour espresso and syrup over ice, then add cold cream.
Dairy-Free: Use oat milk or coconut cream.
Extra Kick: Add a splash of Kahlúa for an adult twist.

Craving more coffee recipes? Try our Hot Cocoa at Home: Recipe or Dutch Mojito Recipes next!

FAQs

The Dutch Bros Kicker is a fan-favorite espresso drink blending two shots of bold espresso with their signature Irish cream syrup and a float of smooth half-and-half. It’s like a cozy hug in a cup—creamy, lightly sweetened, and just caffeinated enough to perk you up without going overboard. Think of it as the coffee equivalent of dessert-for-breakfast vibes.

You’ll need 2 shots of espresso (or strong coffee), 2 tablespoons of Irish cream syrup (Torani or Monin work great), and ¼ cup of half-and-half. Mix the syrup with hot espresso, top with cream, and voilà—homemade Kicker magic! For an iced version, pour it over ice and swap half-and-half for cold foam. Bonus hack: Use sugar-free syrup or oat milk to tweak it to your taste.

The classic Kicker packs two shots of espresso, giving it around 150mg of caffeine—enough to shake off a mid-morning slump but not so much you’ll feel like you’ve mainlined rocket fuel. Pro tip: Ask for an extra shot if you’re facing a marathon workday.

Absolutely! Dutch Bros offers sugar-free Irish cream syrup, so you can enjoy a keto-friendly or low-sugar version. Just specify “sugar-free” when ordering, and they’ll swap it in. Pair it with almond milk or heavy cream to keep it under 5g of carbs. Sweetness without the crash? Yes, please.

Check out Ranking Dutch Bros Coffee’s Fan-Favorite Drinks

Dutch Bros Kicker Recipe: How to Make at Home