On September 6, Starbucks' much-awaited fall menu became available in stores everywhere. For many, this meant the release of their favorite autumn treat, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (or PSL, for short). PSL is Starbucks' most popular seasonal beverage of all time and is currently in its 13th consecutive debut. The drink is so popular that although the official release date of fall food and drinks was September 6, Starbucks allowed die-hard PSL fans to get an early access code online or in stores in order to order the drink 5 days early. The drink is available in 50 different countries and even has its own Twitter account, @TheRealPSL.
There's no denying that PSL is a great drink, and the white girl in me can't help but love it. However, there's a silent hero on Starbucks' fall menu, and it deserves more recognition. Say hello to the Salted Caramel Mocha.
This delicious fall drink is "made from a blend of mocha sauce and toffee nut syrup combined with coffee and milk, then topped with sweetened whipped cream, caramel drizzle and a blend of turbinado sugar and sea salt" (Starbucks). It feels like heaven touching your throat, no matter if you order it iced or hot.
This is not the Salted Caramel Mocha's first year as a Starbucks fall drink, but it seems to get pushed aside by the hype of the Pumpkin Spice Latte. It's time to expand our horizons, people; the rest of the fall menu has so much to offer. In addition to the PSL and Salted Carmel, here are a few other items to try out before the season is over (from Starbucks Fall Beverages and Fall Food list):
Chile Mocha
Made with espresso and steamed milk infused with a cocoa and cinnamon powder topped with a dollop of whipped cream and finished with a sprinkle of Chile Mocha topping, consisting of ancho and cayenne chile pepper, cinnamon, paprika, sugar and a touch of sea salt.
Almondmilk
Starbucks customers can customize their handcrafted beverages with Starbucks Almondmilk as a non-dairy alternative.
Nature’s Sweet
Starbucks first Stevia-based, zero calorie sweetener. Whole Earth Sweetener Company’s sweetener packets will be available in nearly 9,000 Starbucks locations in the U.S. and Canada. It is a combination of Stevia and monk fruit extracts.
Dark Chocolate and Caramelized Banana Oatmeal
A joining of hearty blueberry and classic oatmeal flavors. It starts with traditional oatmeal that is topped with banana compote heated in a kettle and caramelized to a brûlée to bring out the flavors. Topped with a sweet and savory mixture of single-origin Columbian dark chocolate, roasted almonds and salted toffee.
Caramelized Apple Pound Cake
A cream cheese cake that is swirled with apple spice cake and ribbons of cinnamon and caramelized apples then topped with a sweet frosting.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bar
Made with a blondie base and a cheesecake top swirled with spiced pumpkin.
Returning Fall Bakery Favorites
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Pumpkin Scone, Pumpkin Iced Sugar Cookie and Bantam Bagels
