One thing about me: I adore Starbucks. I have since I was a little girl, when I’d frequently pick up a Very Berry Hibiscus refresher (may it rest in peace) during trips to the mall with my mom. The release of the Starbucks fall menu in late August, sometimes early September, is honestly one of my favorite parts of the year. This year’s menu consists of the classic and beloved pumpkin-flavored drinks and pastries, with the addition of fan-favorite secret menu drinks and a latte from years past.
Starting off with the drink that took the world by storm in 2003, and my personal favorite off of the menu, is the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL, for short). In a similar light, we have the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, which is exactly what it sounds like: a crisp vanilla-sweetened cold brew with a thick layer of pumpkin cold foam over top of it. Then, there is a secret menu item that went viral over the last season, leading to its addition to the menu this year: the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte. It was such a popular customization by customers and baristas everywhere that Starbucks added it onto their menu for the first time, making everyone’s lives easier. Lastly, as a new twist on an old favorite, is the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso that was inspired by 2021’s Apple Crisp Macchiato. As for the food, this year’s menu includes the classics: the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and Owl Cake Pop. In a delicious new inclusion, Starbucks introduced their Baked Apple Croissant, which is ultimately your own tiny apple pie.
Throughout the week, I visited the campus Starbucks in an endeavor to try all the fall items that I haven’t tried, which was most of them. The first on my list was the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. Personally, I like my coffee sweet, and I prefer a latte as opposed to a cold brew or regular iced coffee. However, the drink was not bad by any means. The pumpkin cold foam is a creamy bliss that Starbucks can’t do wrong, and adding it to a cold brew is the perfect way for people who prefer their coffee black to allow some fun and enjoyment into their lives. Next down the line was the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso accompanied by its pastry sidekick, the Baked Apple Croissant. These items surprised me. The drink was pleasantly more apple-y than I’d thought it would be. It reminded me of a creamy dessert in a cup. It was sweet, yet it combined so nicely with the bitterness of the espresso. The croissant definitely took number one on the food ranking. The apple and cinnamon filling seriously melts in your mouth, while the pastry dough comes apart like a cloud. It was amazing, and for me, it outsold all the other sweets sold along with it. Finally, the last item on my journey was the fan favorite Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte. I was skeptical going into this one, mostly because I don’t normally go for a Chai. I was hoping that the cold foam would again save the day as it did for the cold brew drink. However, I was unfortunately disappointed. I can definitely see the mass appeal for the drink, it’s sweet, flavorful and creamy. After trying it, I will say it’s the perfect flavor for fall, although the strong flavors of both the foam and chai combined to create an odd flavor in my mouth. It sort of felt like I took a sip out of a melted Bath & Body Works candle.
Among the menu items, I didn’t need to break my bank trying my personal seasonal favorite, the PSL. My favorite Starbucks item will always be the Pumpkin Spice Latte with oat milk. It has such a dominant pumpkin flavor without being overly sweet or overpowering the espresso. The added pumpkin spice atop the rich drink also adds a nice touch to the experience. The pastries, on the other hand, fell a little short. The Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin isn’t bad, just not for me. A lot of my friends and family adore this muffin, but coming from someone who isn’t the biggest fan of cream cheese, I just don’t see this item being a part of my regular Starbucks rotation this fall. The last food item on the fall menu is the Owl Cake Pop. Being a fan of the other cake pops from the chain, it’s nothing insanely special, just another vanilla flavored cake pop with a cute icing-painted owl face on it. Nonetheless, it’s still a nice sweet treat.
If you think there isn’t something for you on the seasonal menu at Starbucks, you’re (hopefully) wrong. The spread has a lot of variety for those looking for different things in their daily overpriced coffees and pastries. If you’re thinking about trying anything from the menu, don’t hesitate. There’s a good chance you’ll fall in love with it, as I once did, and face a heartbreaking withdrawal at the end of the season in December.
