We are now finally entering October (and it couldn’t be more cozy). The air has slowly become crisp, tingling my nose each morning. The leaves are finally changing into shades of yellows and browns, falling to the earthy floor and crumbling under my feet. The sound is seriously satisfying. Starbucks is starting to bring out all its fall warm drinks that smell like fall. Pumpkin spice and cinnamon are truly the ultimate combination.
Fall is the time to romanticize anything and everything, such as turning your coffee order into a love language or listening to your favorite song. It’s dreamy—like an Ariana Grande song: sweet, a little nostalgic and “warm.” Personally, when I’m out on a morning walk, I enjoy listening to music while sipping on some coffee. Because fall isn’t simply a season — it’s a feeling, and somewhere between the first sip of pumpkin and the last note of a Grande bridge. You find yourself suddenly aware — you’re existing within the aesthetic.
- Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte and “goodnight n go”
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Pumpkin spice is basically autumn vibes in liquid form, so let’s start with a classic. An iced pumpkin spice latte is creamy with a perfect mix of cold espresso. Much like Grande’s cover of Imogen Heap’s “Goodnight N Go,” which features airy vocals and soft synths to create a dreamy vibe. The combination of the two feels like a late-night conversation, perfect for nighttime study sessions.
- Hot Pumpkin Spice Latte and “warm”
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Swirls of pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg fade into the air. Combined with a steamy espresso, a hot pumpkin spice latte is the definition of cozy. This drink perfectly suits Grande’s song, “Warm,” matching its tender and intimate vibe. On days when you’re feeling vulnerable, this combination is your best friend.
- Iced Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte and “nasty”
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I get it, a pecan latte may sound a little “Nasty,” but trust me, it’s also addictively good. Grande’s song “Nasty” is playful, flirtatious and unapologetically so. The song’s alluring sound on your stereo is seductive, just like the latte itself, with creamy oatmilk and toasted pecan syrup. Together, this combo is smooth, with just the right amount of chaos.
- Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai and “everytime”
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An iced pumpkin cream chai is a drink that I will choose almost “Everytime.” It’s autumn in a cup, featuring spiced chai and pumpkin cream cold foam. This drink, as well as the song “Everytime,” is a love that you can’t let go of, and it’s painfully sweet. You know that these two, together, are simply too good.
- Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and “sweetener”
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This duo is golden hour in drink form. The espresso hits you like a pep talk, the brown sugar swirls in warmth, and all of a sudden, your morning feels like a movie montage scene. “Sweetener” is cued in the background, reminding you to romanticize the little moments, even the ones altogether before 9 a.m. It’s confident, grounded, and glowing; the soundtrack to your soft main character era.
- Hot Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte and “ghostin”
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This combination is perfect for a peaceful day and a comfy sweater. The warmth of the pecan latte’s sweetness hugs you like a weighted blanket, and the scent alone would erase a bad day. “Ghostin” plays quietly — fragile, beautiful, and all is still. And suddenly, you are in reflection, breathing and forgiving. Together, they are healing in motion: slow, gentle and quietly luminous.
- Hot Caramel Macchiato and “make up”
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This combination is flirty, fun and just the right amount of dramatic. The caramel macchiato is a classic and a deliciously sweet treat, just like a romantic comedy classic that you’re happy to watch for the 100th time. “Make Up” dances through your headphones, light, flirty and impossible to resist with glossy lips and twinkly eyes. It’s just the energy of a love that’s too much fun to stay annoyed with, sugar-dripped and smiling through the steam.
And there it is, proof that Ariana Grande and Starbucks were basically meant to be. Whether you’re sipping a pumpkin spice latte and crying to “Ghostin” (me too, girl) or walking through campus having a “Sweetener” kind of day, there is no wrong way to be a fall girly. Every drink and song is a mood, giving main character energy.
Next time you find yourself in the long line at Starbucks debating between pumpkin or pecan, let this playlist help you decide. Let Grande’s vocals guide you to your caffeinated destiny. Fall is too short not to romanticize every moment and every latte. Grab your drink and hit play. Cheers to a love letter to coziness.
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