As you may or may not already know, I always get excited about the fall season. The rustling leaves, the cool breeze, the comfy scarves… You know how it is. But, the best part about the autumnal season is -- you guessed it! -- Starbucks seasonal drinks! They’re baaaaack, with some new additions along the way.
3. Pumpkin Spice Latte
You walk into your local Starbucks in your flannel shirt and black knee-boots, pupils dilating at the sight of the PSL on the menu. The quintessential fall drink, Starbucks’ PSL is back and ready to be featured in your artsy fall Instagram pictures. It tastes like a Yankee Candle and your grandma’s Thanksgiving pumpkin pie combined, but is it really worth the hype?
Don’t get me wrong -- the PSL is definitely worth all the media’s attention. But, in my honest opinion, the drink is overrated. There are so many other seasonal and regular alternatives to the Pumpkin Spice Latte that deserve more love. Oh, well...
Rate: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
2. Chile Mocha
The newest addition to the Starbucks seasonal family, Starbucks’ Chile Mocha is a rather interesting combination of sweet and spice. Coffee, cinnamon, and vanilla are mixed in with ancho and cayenne to add a little kick to your fall afternoon. I’m Indian, so my spice tolerance threshold is very high -- I can probably eat a whole bag of Hot Cheetos (Limon, of course) in 2 minutes without having to drink a drop of milk. But, I was still afraid that my sweet tooth wouldn’t appreciate the sweet-spice combo.
I thought the amount of spice was perfect. The spice aspect of the drink offset the sweetness of the cocoa and vanilla perfectly; I could imagine myself ordering this as a regular coffee order. I wouldn’t, however, order this for my mornings, mostly because I feel like the stark sweet-spice contrast would be too much to handle for my disoriented, sleep-deprived self. But, all in all, Starbucks really outdid themselves with the Chile Mocha this time.
Rate: 4 out 5 stars.
1. Salted Caramel Mocha
Move over, PSL. This is the silent hero of the seasonal menu. I’ve always been a fan of salted caramel everything, so it’s no surprise that I would be all over this one. Mocha and toffee nut syrup are effortlessly blended with coffee and later topped with sea salt, whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle. While this drink doesn’t necessarily have to be considered seasonal, you can always enjoy a taste of autumn in every sip.
The SCM as it is is a high calorie drink, but you have the option of ordering a skinny version, which is just as good. Otherwise, it’ll make you warm and fuzzy on the inside every time.
Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
