Personally, the second a leaf hits the ground or once August 22nd hits and pumpkin spice lattes make their debut, I’m in the fall mindset. I know some can get fed up with the mob of teenage girls at Starbucks ready to order pumpkin cream cold foam on every possible drink. I get annoyed with it myself, however, I will admit it is fun to try the new seasonal drinks at various local coffee shops. Mia Inzerello, sophomore reporter, and Ava Panneton, senior editor, went out to try the newest Starbucks and Scooters drinks this season. These are our honest opinions on the newest fall menu auditions.
Starbucks’ Pecan Crunch Oat Milk Latte is a new and delightful addition to their fall beverage lineup, offering a twist on the traditional autumn flavors. This drink is a blonde espresso roast with pecan flavoring and made with oat milk, making it a non-dairy option. This drink is not only delicious, but gives a non-dairy option to the menu. The oatmilk adds a subtle sweetness to the coffee, complementing it without overpowering it. What really stood out to me is the immense pecan flavoring, which isn’t too strong, although it gives the drink that fall feeling. The Pecan Crunch Oat Milk Latte was a solid 7/10 for me. This is because it was a good non-dairy option, and the flavor wasn’t overpowering the latte. This is definitely close to being in my top three favorite fall drinks, but it didn’t quite reach it. Overall it is a great option for people staying away from dairy and like a solid latte.
The Iced Apple Crisp Non Dairy Cream Chai is a unique drink for the chai lovers out there. In my opinion it tastes exactly like a Bath and Body Works candle, but oddly in a good way. I initially rated this drink a 7.5 out of 10 and I firmly stand by that rating. I think this could be a good beginner drink at Starbucks for those wanting to try a fall drink or those new to chai because of it being a menu item with no customizations. This drink consists of chai tea and oat milk, accompanied by a topping of a delicious apple crisp non dairy cream cold foam, all over ice. Overall I liked this drink and would definitely look into ordering it if you’re wanting to try something new.
Scooter’s Coffe’s Green Apple Infusion is a refreshing add on to their infusion collection. This offers a unique twist on the stereotypical fall drink. This refresher combines the crisp, tart flavor of green apples with a sweet aftertaste. The infusions base is Scooter’s own tropical SCOOT! Energy™ drink. This provides a boost of energy that tastes amazing. After the energy drink they mix in a few pumps of the green apple flavoring. This gives the drink that tart flavor that green apples capture. That is what sets the drink apart from other fall drinks. The balance of sweetness and acidity. The drink is served over ice, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a refreshing drink. It’s light, crisp nature makes it a great alternative for those looking to reduce some caffeine intake or avoid coffee altogether. While the Green Apple Infusion may not be as traditional as the other fall drinks, it provides a refreshing option on the menu. This is a great drink to try to expand your drink horizons. This infusion is a solid 9/10 for me because of how refreshing it is to drink and the addicting flavor of it. This is a great option for those trying to avoid coffee and get something refreshing.
The new Iced Maple Bourbon Latte from Scooters was my second drink and I really enjoyed it. I prefer lattes over iced coffee, so I enjoyed the maple twist they added for fall. Personally I love Scooters and much prefer it over Starbucks, so I’m a little biased, but I give this drink an 8 out of 10. This drink honestly was nothing too special, I just enjoyed the less artificial taste it provided compared to the Starbucks drink. This drink consists of Scooters’ espresso mixed with the customers choice of milk, maple flavored syrup and other sweeteners, all over ice. I would definitely order this drink again and would recommend it to any coffee lover looking for a new fall drink experience.
The whole sense of fall drinks warm our souls with their blend of comforting flavors and the taste of fall. Fall drinks have become part of people’s autumn traditions, and have certainly become one of ours. Starbucks, Scooters, and other coffee shops whip up new drinks every fall to compete for the best fall drink. Their popularity stems from the ability to capture autumn in a cup. From lattes, to chai, to refreshers, coffee shops try to make new and unique drinks to compete with others. Fall drinks are something that people look forward to every year and get us through autumn with a cozy drink in our hands.
