As we move into November and temperatures drop, it’s evident that fall is here. Autumn brings changing leaves, pumpkins, and the long-awaited arrival of the Starbucks fall menu. For long-time Starbucks lovers or those new to coffee, the fall menu is for everyone. This coffee shop chain puts a spin on its regular menu by incorporating classic fall flavors into its coffees and treats.
Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino – 5/10
A twist on a classic, the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino is by far the sweetest drink on the fall menu, combining traditional fall flavors with pure sugar. Pumpkin is the dominant flavor in this drink, overwhelming the fall spices throughout. The sugar takes over any remnants of flavor, making this drink more of a desert than a drink.
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew – 9/10
The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew is the perfect blend of Starbucks coffee that incorporates hints of autumn flavors. The signature cold brew mixed with pumpkin cream cold foam and pumpkin spice topping makes for a lovely blend of flavors. The cream on top tastes like pure pumpkin with subtle hints of vanilla. However, coffee is the strongest flavor in this blend, so for those not a fan of the bitter taste, this may not be the autumnal drink of your choice. The bitterness of the coffee took away from the other flavors, making it just short of perfection.
Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato – 1/10
For those who desire a watered down, burnt apple-tasting coffee, the Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato is for you. The flavor of this coffee is nothing short of disgusting, tasting like a soggy apple pie. The mix of flavors is overall very unpleasant and did not capture the essence of fall, leaving little more than a horrendous aftertaste. However, for those of us who aren’t pumpkin fans, this drink is a way to get a taste of fall, straying away from the fall pumpkin cliché.
Owl Cake Pop – 9/10
While not exactly what you think of when the word fall comes to mind, the owl cake pop is among the best on the fall menu. This purple iced cake pop doesn’t contain infusions of cinnamon or pumpkin, but it truly captures all the flavors of fall. The moist vanilla cake, enclosed in purple chocolate icing, is the perfect sweet treat to enjoy with your coffee. The cake inside is soft and sweet, and the perfect amount of purple icing pulls the dessert together. Topped with a miniature owl face, this cute snack is sure to brighten your day.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin – 10/10
The pumpkin cream cheese muffin is without a doubt the best food on the fall menu. The crunchy top to the muffin in combination with the decadent cake makes this muffin a taste of perfection. Sprinkled with chopped pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and infused with cream cheese filling, there is no better way to start your morning. The strong pumpkin flavor brings the feeling of fall to life, briefly interrupted by the creamy cream cheese center. The blend of textures and flavors give the muffin a nice consistency and balance out the muffin well. Overall, this muffin is delicious and the perfect treat for pumpkin lovers!
Pumpkin Scone – 6/10
This pumpkin scone is delicious and the sweetness is not overpowering. The light and airy dough is perfectly soft, and best slightly heated up. Tasting much like Starbucks’ pumpkin pepita loaf, this menu item consolidates these flavors into a scone and tops them with royal icing. The icing to scone ratio is perfect, and each flavor equally balances out the other. Despite this, the icing was crusty, and not light and delicate as it should be. However, the more you chewed the more the flavors came together harmoniously. The only ingredient bringing the scone’s rating down is the icing; otherwise, this treat is perfect.
Pumpkin Spice Latte – 10/10
The famous Pumpkin Spice Latte is a signature fall drink that is everyone’s go-to for the autumn months. This spiced-up drink is sure to warm you up on a chilly fall day, combining Starbucks’ espresso roast with creamy steamed milk. The pumpkin flavor of the drink is accentuated by the cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg spices it is infused with. To top it all off, pumpkin pie spices sit atop sweet whipped cream above the coffee, making this drink the staple of fall time.
Pumpkin Pepita Loaf – 10/10 (Honorable Mention)
Offered year-round, this classic is the perfect pastry to remind you of the fall essence, despite the season While loaf is in the name, the pastry is far more comparable to something of a cake texture than bread. The pumpkin flavor was only richened by the moist texture that just melted in your mouth. Combined with the crunch of the nuts on top, the overall flavor experience perfectly captures the signature fall essence.
