By Sophia Alvarez
Staff Writer
Starbucks releases its fall menu and their signature pumpkin spice latte to kick off the start of a new season.
Every year, Starbucks brings back their signature flavor, the pumpkin spice latte. While this drink can be enjoyed hot or iced, it consists of a milk foam base mixed with a spicy yet sweet pumpkin-flavored sauce. It is then topped with whipped cream and a topping that consists of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin.
Another amazing fall inspired drink that is completely new to the Starbucks menu this year is the iced apple crisp oat milk shaken espresso. Although fall is typically associated with cold weather, it has been extremely hot in California so this drink is the perfect way to integrate the fall in with the warm weather.
The apple crisp shaken espresso consists of a blonde espresso roast which keeps the taste softer and less harsh. This drink mixes the two flavors of brown sugar and crisp apple to create an amazing flavor which isn’t too overpowering and sweet.
Another addition to the menu, although not new this year, is the pumpkin cream cold brew. Personally, the pumpkin cold brew isn’t the best drink on the menu. While the topping of heavy cream mixed with pumpkin flavoring is a bit too harsh, sticking to a drink that isn’t as heavy as this one is definitely the move.
Another new addition to the menu, the iced pumpkin cream chai tea latte, is a hit this year so far. While this drink combines two spectacular flavors, pumpkin and chai, it is surprisingly not overpowering and overwhelming. This drink is then topped with a pumpkin spice topping similar to the one on the latte which consists of fall spices.
While many of these lattes and drinks are incredible, I personally love creating a new and improved fall drink. One favorite customization is to order the iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso with 1 pump of brown sugar syrup and add two pumps of pumpkin sauce. This blend is perfect because the taste of both the coffee as well as the pumpkin combine perfectly.
Not only did Starbucks come out with the fall drinks menu, but they also included a pastry menu. Some of these sweet treats include the baked apple croissant, the pumpkin cream cheese muffin, the pumpkin loaf, and the owl cake pop.
The recurring pumpkin and pepita loaf may look appetizing from the initial look; however, it was extremely nutty and barely had a pumpkin flavor. Instead of the nut topping, Starbucks should top this loaf with vanilla or pumpkin icing.
Starbucks continues to shock and impress their audience with new fall menus every year. This year was extremely successful and a great kickoff to the new year and the fall season.
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