It’s that time of year again, Halloween decorations are up and Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations are soon to follow. That also means that it is time for the famous seasonal Starbucks drinks to warm you up on a chilly day. Here are seven of my all-time favorite seasonal drinks:
1. Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL)
Made with cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, pumpkin pie spices and whipped cream, nothing even comes close to this fall special. This drink is so famous that it even has its own Twitter account. Not to mention, it’s also completely Instagram-worthy. A fall study session with friends is not complete without a good old PSL.
2. Peppermint Mocha
The peppermint mocha contains espresso, steamed milk, mocha sauce, peppermint flavored syrup and is topped with whipped cream and delicious dark chocolate curls. This drink is definitely my favorite for winter. Who doesn’t love chocolate and mint together? It’s the mint chocolate chip ice cream of the winter season. Curl up in your room with a blanket, a great book and the classic peppermint mocha.
3. Caramel Brûlée Latte
This drink is teeming with espresso, steamed milk, caramel-flavored sauce and topped with sweetened whipped cream and brûlée topping. It is crème brûlée with a cup of coffee on the side. What’s better than a classic dessert mixed with your daily coffee fix?
4. Eggnog Latte
The eggnog latte is made with espresso, steamed eggnog, milk, and ground nutmeg. This is one drink you won’t want to forget! A few months ago, Starbucks tried to take this delicious drink off of the menu and it caused such an outrage that Starbucks apologized. This beloved and nostalgic seasonal drink is here to stay.
5. Gingerbread Latte
The gingerbread latte embodies the holiday spirit! It is made with espresso, steamed milk, gingerbread flavored syrup and spice-infused whipped cream and molasses drizzle. It is the classic gingerbread cookie that we all loved as children in drink-form.
6. Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino
This delicious fall drink is composed with espresso, mocha sauce, toffee nut syrup, milk, ice and is finished off with sweetened whipped cream, caramel sauce and a blend of sea salt for that extra explosion of flavor. Despite the dropping temperature, the drink will still satisfy your coffee needs, especially during your midterm study sessions!
7. Chile Mocha
This new seasonal drink is made with espresso, cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla and is topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of mixed ancho and cayenne chile spices. It’s perfect for your morning class when you might need an extra kick! The Starbucks team decided to take the classic fall combination of warmth and spice to a new level with chocolate and a bit of heat. Michelle Sundquist, Starbucks senior product developer said, “the first sip should be warm and chocolatey, quickly followed by the creaminess of the whip and just a kiss of sweet and savory heat all at once.”
Just because the weather is getting colder and exams are around the corner, doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy an autumn treat! Don’t miss out of these seasonal wonders and head to Starbucks today to try my top picks.
Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Starbucks Spices Up Fall with PSL and the New Chile Mocha. (2016). Retrieved September 22, 2016, from https://news.starbucks.com/news/psl-chile-mocha-2016