As summer comes to a close, autumn begins, which to some people, means only one thing: pumpkin spice season! This August, Starbucks came out with their new fall menu of both familiar favorites, and a few new items that have been running off the shelves.
The beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato are just a few of the seasonal classics one can expect. Additionally, there are two new beverage choices: Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte and an Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. The Pumpkin Loaf, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, and the Owl Cakepop are also all available on the fall menu, with a new addition of the Baked Apple Croissant, appealing to all autumn-obsessed customers.
It is the Pumpkin Spice Latte, which is a fan favorite, made hot or iced with espresso poured over the pumpkin syrup and a choice of milk, topped with whipped cream. This drink is on the sweeter side but is packed with the quintessential fall flavors.
The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew starks a contrast of flavors by pairing a strong, rich, coffee flavor with sweet pumpkin cream cold foam. This drink is for those who like their coffee stronger and less sweet, but still want to have the fall flavor experience. It is less syrupy than the Pumpkin Spice Latte and contains a stronger coffee ratio.
With the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato, served hot or iced, it combines a blonde espresso, oatmilk, apple crisp syrup, and to top it off, a spiced apple drizzle. This drink is not as strong in coffee flavor, due to the overpowering sweetness from the syrups. The sweetness is balanced out by the oatmilk, but still lacking a strong coffee flavor.
One of the newer additions to the menu, the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte, contains an iced chai tea, with any choice of milk, and pumpkin cream cold foam. This drink is creamy, sweet, and a great alternative to coffee.
The Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Expresso provides another new addition to the menu. This iced drink has the same structure and flavor as the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Expresso; however, it’s infused with the seasonal apple crisp syrup, instead of the brown sugar. As a new fan favorite, this drink has a delicious balance with a strong coffee flavor, sweetness, and autumn serotonin.
Starbucks not only provides fall drinks, but offers a variety of food options including the favorite Pumpkin Loaf, which is a classic item that consists of a gently spiced pumpkin bread, topped with pepitas. This item is subtly sweet, and pairs perfectly with any of the fall drinks on the menu.
The Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin resembles the classic Pumpkin Loaf in muffin form, and features a sweet cream cheese center. This item is much sweeter than the pumpkin loaf but still pairs well with the fall drink menu.
It is the Owl Cakepop, that is essentially vanilla cake, formed into a dough-like consistency with buttercream, dipped in purple colored white chocolate, and creates a design of an owl. This item is targeted towards kids as a whimsical after school snack.
One of the newer items, the Baked Apple Croissant, is a bakery snack resembling an apple pie, with croissant dough folded over a spiced apple filling. This treat is not overly sweet, and pairs well with many drinks on the menu, especially the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Expresso. Although it can be doughy in texture, it can be ordered as “extra crispy” at the register.
The fall Starbucks menu has been a hit with customers thus far into the season, and the menu will be available until Nov. 1, leaving quite the anticipation for the holiday themed menu. So, if fall spice has your tongue tingling, zip by Starbucks for a taste of the seasonal menu.