As the seasons change and the weather gets colder, many turn to hot, fall-themed drinks in order to keep themselves warm. The popular coffee company Starbucks offers a wide variety of fall drinks to choose from, in both iced and hot varieties. Although the drinks can be a bit pricey, they’re still enjoyable. 

Starbucks’s Pumpkin Spice Latte has become notorious for its synonymy with fall. The drink combines espresso and milk (typically 2%) with pumpkin sauce, pumpkin spice topping, and whipped cream, and can be ordered hot or iced (Starbucks). This drink is also available without espresso as a Pumpkin Spice Créme. This drink has a nice combination of flavors, and the espresso isn’t too bold or too subtle. The pumpkin flavor is prominent without being overpowering, and the combination of spices is also pleasant. However, this drink has been overhyped; although it is good, it is not life-changing.

Their Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew consists of cold brew coffee, a bit of vanilla syrup, pumpkin cream cold foam, and pumpkin spice (Starbucks). This drink is a great option for those who prefer cold coffee. The pumpkin cream has a nice flavor, and balances out the boldness of the cold brew nicely. The cream is sweet but also fairly subtle, making this drink more enjoyable on a day-to-day basis since it isn’t overly pumpkin-flavored. Although the pumpkin cream itself is very simple, just a mix of vanilla sweet cream cold brew with pumpkin spice syrup, this drink is the perfect blend of fall flavors that can be enjoyed at any time (Delish).

The Salted Caramel Mocha is made with espresso, steamed milk, toffee nut syrup, and mocha sauce, and is topped with whipped cream, a caramel drizzle, and a blend of sugar and sea salt (Starbucks). This drink can also be ordered as a frappuccino. The mocha flavor ends up overpowering most of the espresso and caramel flavor, so the drink does not taste how you would expect it to. It also seems less fall-themed than the other fall drinks. Nonetheless, the drink is still enjoyable, especially for those who enjoy darker chocolate flavors. 

The Caramel Apple Spice drink is an option for non-coffee drinkers. It consists of steamed apple juice, cinnamon dolce syrup, whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle (Starbucks). The simplicity of this drink is what makes it so good- it tastes exactly like hot apple cider. The cinnamon dolce flavor isn’t overpowering, and the caramel drizzle adds a nice note of flavor. 

Altogether, Starbucks’s fall drinks are incredibly enjoyable, no matter which one you choose. Don’t be afraid to stray away from the Pumpkin Spice Latte and try another delicious choice.