Starbucks reacts to the arrival of autumn with a seasonal lineup of beverages that capture the essence of fall, accompanied by the season’s signature colors and a noticeable chill in the air. This post invites you to indulge in its autumn-themed beverages, each of which is a delightful sip of the warm and comforting flavors that make this time of year unique. The well-known coffee shop has a creative way of encapsulating fall in a cup. We’ll delve into a variety of mouthwatering choices, from the well-known Pumpkin Spice Latte that, for many, defines the season to the menu’s hidden treasures. Whether you’re an avid fall enthusiast or just looking to enjoy the flavors of the season, our guide will walk you through the wide range of comforting options the coffee shop has to offer. Come celebrate fall with us, where each drink offers a chance to inhale the fragrant and delicious flavors of the season.
Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato
The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is one of Starbucks’ latest additions to their fall lineup. It has a lovely, promising name, though we will see if it can stand the test of time against the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the reigning fall drink. The drink has a healthy balance of apple, cinnamon, and caramel flavors, almost like a candied apple or apple pie due to the apple brown sugar syrup. As this is a macchiato, you can expect a heavier espresso taste, but that should not mask the cozy fall flavors in the drink. I think the oat milk adds to the fall flavor, but if you prefer real dairy or you have a different preference, just ask!
Pumpkin Spice Latte
This drink is the big one: the drink that everyone talks about during the fall. If you have ever had a warm, fresh piece of pumpkin bread, you will experience the same flavors here. The drink boasts flavors of:
- Warm pumpkin
- Nutmeg
- Clove
- Cinnamon
A Pumpkin Spice Latte is perfect for cozying up in your favorite fall sweater or as a treat on your way to the pumpkin patch with family or friends. All these flavors, along with warm milk, whipped cream, and pumpkin pie spice, wraps you in a warm blanket on a cool night.
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew was released in 2019 and has enjoyed a healthy tenure on the menu every fall season since. The drink uses Starbucks’ Cold Brew and pumpkin cream with real pumpkin, and vanilla. While the orange color of the pumpkin cream is delightful, it does not bleed through to the entire drink. If you plunge your straw right to the bottom, you only taste the cold brew. However, sip directly from the pumpkin cream on top, and the pumpkin flavor bursts to life. If you prefer your pumpkin drinks less sweet, with a magical burst of pumpkin when you first dive in, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew may be your new favorite.
Caramel Apple Spice
The cool thing about Starbucks’ fall drinks is that each drink evokes a different fall scene or food. In the case of the Caramel Apple Spice, you might think of a warm glass of apple cider while sitting by an early evening campfire. Starbucks boasts that the drink comes from fully pressed apple juice, sweetened with cinnamon syrup and a buttery caramel sauce. Add some whipped cream on top, and the drink is complete. If you love a warm apple pie, the warm apple juice might make you feel like you have just bitten into a fresh slice.
Chai Tea Latte
The very name “chai tea latte” opens all kinds of possibilities for a drink: an iced chai tea latte, a dirty chai tea latte, a skinny chai tea latte, etc. Either way, you will get a heavy chai tea concentrate flavor, which combines an infusion of:
- Black tea
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Cardamom
- Ginger
For the Chai Tea Latte, you will taste black tea spiced up with cinnamon and clove, steamed milk, and a helping of foam. The cinnamon and clove flavors make this a fall drink. Plus, the steamed milk helps warm you right up as you walk back out into the chilled fall air.
Pumpkin Spice Macchiato
You actually will not see the Pumpkin Spice Macchiato on the Starbucks menu. It is one of those secret menu items the company likes to dole out sometimes if you know how to order it. Although, in the age of the internet, is anything ever secret anymore? The Pumpkin Spice Macchiato is a fancy name for the Skinny Caramel Macchiato, with a pump of pumpkin sauce and two pumps of vanilla or sugar-free vanilla syrup. That said, the caramel-pumpkin combination creates the same warm-and-fuzzies as every other fall drink we have explored so far.
Cinnamon Dolce Latte
The Cinnamon Dolce Latte brings maximum sweetness to the table with dashes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and that smooth milky latte flavor. You may especially like the drink if you are a fan of cinnamon or spicier fall drinks. The sweet flavor is thanks to Starbucks’ special cinnamon-dolce syrup. A few cinnamon-dolce sprinkles on top of the foam help the flavor a little too. If you attempt to make the Cinnamon Dolce Latte at home, consider spicing the drink up with a bit of nutmeg to complete the fall flavor.
Pumpkin Spice Flat White
Starbucks famously borrowed the flat white drink concept from Australia, a drink that combines two ristretto shots, steamed whole milk, and a latte art dot. Only this time, of course, they have added their famous pumpkin spin to it. Compared to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Pumpkin Spice Flat White has a little less sugar, though the pumpkin flavor is considerably heavier (some people say it’s almost like pumpkin filling). In fact, the drink almost has a nog-like consistency, which makes sense since it is a seasonal beverage. If you are in the market for a significant pumpkin boost and a whole lot of sweet, the Pumpkin Spice Flat White might be the perfect drink for you.
Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
While a frozen frappuccino may not seem like a fall drink, the pumpkin spice frappuccino is another great choice. If you prefer your drinks cold, or you just love frappuccinos, try the pumpkin spice version! It’s like an iced pumpkin spiced latte, but frozen. This sweet treat tastes just like fall, with Starbucks’ famous pumpkin spice syrup adding plenty of fall flavor.