For 15 years, Pumpkin Spice has been the harbinger of fall and on Aug. 28, Starbuck's will re-launch it's Pumpkin Spice Latte to the public. But there is more to the autumn season than pumpkin everything. That being said, I can understand if you're completely over the pumpkin trend (or never gave it a chance in the first place). I'm here to help those who believe pumpkins should be decoration, not food.
Luckily, Starbucks has a sort of "you can have it your way," menu, with a plethora of ingredients to create drinks that are unique to you and your tastebuds. If you're not quite ready yet to concoct your own recipe for a drink, here are six Starbucks drinks to get you ready for all your fall festivities and avoid the pumpkin spice hype.
1. Chai Tea Latte
Nothing says fall all year round like the intoxicating sensation of a chai tea latte. Black tea concentrate infused with cinnamon, clove, and other warming spices is then combined with steamed milk of your choice for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
#SpoonTip: If you're watching your sugar intake, ask for the Lightly Sweetened Chai and customize the amount of liquid cane sugar.
2. Maple Pecan Latte
Maple Pecan is another seasonal sauce that launches in tandem with pumpkin spice, but this latte holds its own with its bold and distinct combination of flavors. Rich espresso meets sweet maple
3. Salted Caramel Mocha
While this drink can typically be made all year round, the signature salt topping only reappears for the fall season. Velvety mocha sauce is combined with toffee nut syrup, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and a sprinkle of sea salt topping to make a decadent treat on those 60 degree nights.
#SpoonTip: This drink can be made completely dairy-free with the substitution of coconut, almond, or soy milk, no whipped cream, and no caramel drizzle.
4. Caramel Apple Spice
If you're looking for a drink that tastes like apple pie in a cup, then the Caramel Apple Spice is for you. Steamed apple juice, accompanied by cinnamon dolce syrup, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle, this drink truly embodies everything we love about autumn.
5. Cinnamon Dolce Latte
As you can see cinnamon is a staple for most of these fall drinks, but luckily for you cinnamon dolce lattes can be ordered all year round. With signature espresso, cinnamon dolce syrup, whipped cream, and cinnamon dolce topping, this is the perfect pre-pumpkin picking treat.
6. Apple Chai
We don't blame you if you've never heard of apple chai before, because its a customer made recipe that turned into something great. Using the same chai base in the chai tea latte, but instead of milk, steamed apple juice is added to the mix creating something entirely new on its own.
Which ever option you select (or if you choose to create something entirely different on your own), Enjoy! And send a pic of your recipe to @spoon_hartford on Instagram.