Specialty coffee people like to look down on Tims, but anyone who has driven the Sea-to-Sky at 6 a.m. or done a 7 a.m. hockey practice in Surrey knows the truth: sometimes a double-double is exactly right. Tim Hortons started in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1964 and is still the most Canadian coffee order there is. Here’s how its menu works.
Tim Hortons cup sizes
| Size | Approximate volume (hot) |
|---|---|
| Extra Small | 8 oz |
| Small | 10 oz |
| Medium | 14 oz |
| Large | 20 oz |
| Extra Large | 24 oz |
Sizes shifted up one name years ago when Tims added the Extra Large, which is why a Tims “small” is bigger than you might expect. Cold drinks use their own cups, so check the app for exact volumes.
The brewed coffee
- Original Blend: The medium-roast, 100% Arabica drip coffee that built the brand. Mild, nutty, a little toasty.
- Dark Roast: Bolder and roastier. Better if you take it black.
- Decaf: Available at most locations.
The Tims vocabulary
| Order | What you get |
|---|---|
| Regular | One cream, one sugar (in a medium) |
| Double-double | Two creams, two sugars |
| Triple-triple | Three of each. Usually reserved for large sizes and long drives. |
| Four-by-four | Four of each. Dessert in a cup. |
| Black | Nothing added |
Tims cream is 18% table cream, so it’s richer than the milk most cafes use. You can ask for milk instead, or for oat or almond in espresso drinks, or swap sugar for sweetener.
Signature drinks
Iced Capp
A frozen, blended coffee drink made with cream. Ask for it with milk to make it lighter, or with chocolate syrup, or “Supreme” with whipped cream and drizzle. In summer it outsells nearly everything.
French Vanilla
A sweet, creamy vanilla cappuccino made from a powder mix. It’s not espresso, so think of it as something closer to a hot vanilla drink with coffee in it. Mix half French Vanilla, half hot chocolate for a crowd-pleasing order.
Steeped Tea
Black tea brewed in batches and served with milk and sugar. Surprisingly popular and good with a double-double-style order (“steeped tea, double-double”).
Espresso drinks
Tims serves lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, flat whites and mochas from automated machines. They’re consistent and cheaper than at most cafes. Iced lattes and iced coffees are available year-round, plus Cold Brew at many locations.
Hot chocolate and London Fog
Both are menu staples. The London Fog is a nice nod to the drink’s Vancouver origins.
Ordering tips
- Use the app. Tims Rewards gives points on most orders, and mobile pickup skips the drive-thru line.
- Be specific. “Medium, one milk, one sweetener” beats “medium regular, but…”
- Take 12: A box of 12 small coffees for meetings, road trips or a minor-hockey dad crew.
- Pair it: A 10-pack of Timbits, a toasted everything bagel with cream cheese, or a breakfast sandwich.
Where Tims fits in Metro Vancouver
Metro Vancouver is less Tims-heavy than Ontario, and downtown Vancouver is firmly third-wave territory. But head out along the Trans-Canada, Highway 99 or the Golden Ears Way, or into Surrey, Langley and Maple Ridge, and the drive-thrus pile up. When you want something better, our Metro Vancouver cafe guides show the independent spots in each city.
Comparing chains? See our Starbucks drink recipe cheat sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is a double-double at Tim Hortons?
A coffee with two creams and two sugars.
What size is a medium at Tim Hortons?
About 14 oz for hot drinks.
Does Tim Hortons have oat milk?
Yes, oat and almond milk are available for espresso drinks at most locations.
