We Tried Tim Hortons New Spring Drinks

Hot on the heels of its Ryan Reynolds collaboration, Tim Hortons has released a new lineup of iced drinks that fist-bump popular trends—and at a reasonable price point.

After launching protein lattes last August, Tim’s is doubling down on the protein-enhancement trend with a new line of protein-rich cold beverages it has (perhaps unfortunately) dubbed Protein Quenchers. The iced drinks deliver around 14 grams of protein per medium beverage, and come in five flavours: Blackberry Yuzu, Orange Tangerine, Peach, Strawberry Watermelon and Raspberry Mojito.

The drive-thru staple has also added the Raspberry Mojito Zero Sugar Sparkling Quencher, a fizzy-ish twist on cocktail-inspired flavours, as well upgraded the decadence on its dessert-like iced lattes and cold brews with a churro-flavoured trio: the Caramel Churro Iced Latte, Caramel Churro Cold Brew and Caramel Churro Iced Capp.

We tried three offerings from the new spring drinks lineup: the Peach Protein Quencher, Raspberry Mojito Zero Sugar Sparkling Quencher and the Caramel Churro Iced Capp. Here's what we thought.

Peach Protein Quencher, $4

190 calories, 14 g protein and 22 g sugar per medium-size serving

The Protein Quenchers are a mix of fruit flavour and a "lactose-free, high-protein dairy beverage" over ice. The consistency of this sipper is milky—think more along the lines of a flavoured milk rather than a smoothie—and the protein is undetectable, which is a bonus if you tend to balk at protein powder’s grittiness.

The Peach Protein Quencher will be a hit or a miss for you, however, depending on how much you enjoy Tim's classic peach drink. If you do, this upgraded version will hit the spot. But if you don't care for its signature sweetness, it's better to skip this flavour and try the Strawberry Watermelon or Blackberry Yuzu versions instead.

The Raspberry Mojito Zero Sugar Sparkling Quencher, $3

10 calories, 0 g protein and 0 g sugar per medium-size serving

This fruity cocktail-inspired bevvy brings a little drama to your takeout cup: It’s neon pink and the addition of garnish—a dried slice of lime—gives it some patio-esque vibes.

The drink has a decent balance of fizz-to-juice, but it's less carbonated than you'd expect from a sparkling bevvy. It's also remarkably sweet for a zero-sugar drink and that sweetness overrides the tang of the raspberry and lime flavours. (It's sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.)

If you like your sparkling refreshment more on the Gatorade-like end, then this will likely tickle your palate. If you’re not into artificial sweeteners, try the Blackberry Yuzu Sparkling Quencher instead, which checks the refreshing and tangy boxes with greater satisfaction (albeit with 48 grams of added sugar per medium-size serving).

(Photo: Courtesy Tim Hortons)

Caramel Churro Iced Capp, $5

560 calories, 4 g protein and 70 g sugar per medium-size serving

The Caramel Churro Iced Capp is a maximalist variation on the classic Iced Capp that arrives fully loaded with a dense layer of thick 18% cream sprinkled with sweet cookie crumbs on top—concerns about getting a whipped cream moustache from your first sip aren’t misplaced.

The Iced Capp delivers an intensely coffee-creamy sip that’s reminiscent of certain grocery-store flavoured dairy creamers, which may be an acquired taste for some or a bona fide guilty pleasure for others. (If you’re not so hot on the bells-and-whipped-cream whistles of the Caramel Churro Iced Capp, but still want that intensely nutty coffee-creamer hit, the Caramel Churro Cold Brew may be a safer bet.) One major caveat: this upgraded Ice Capp packs a ton of added sugar—70 grams in the medium-sized version, which more than the overall daily consumption recommended by the World Health Organization.

Looking for more better-for-you options? We asked a registered dietitian for the seven healthiest menu items at Tim Hortons.