Traversing Iowa City’s coffee shops during the fall is a long, arduous journey, filled with unanswered questions about the perfect fall flavors.
Okay, so maybe it’s not that dramatic, but it would still be nice to know where you should spend your money on coffee. Have no fear, I have tested all the different fall-themed drinks in Iowa City for you.
So relax and sip on that latte, I’ve got this covered for you. Below you’ll find drinks grouped by store, and each drink includes a description, my opinion on it and a score out of 10.
Starbucks
Toasted Graham Latte
This is Starbucks’s newest seasonal drink, made with crumbled graham, sweet cream, steamed milk, cinnamon graham and espresso. It can also be served as a frappe. I wasn’t the biggest fan of it, even though it looked delicious in the picture on the menu. It was pretty bland, and I didn’t taste any of the cinnamon or graham that, at least to me, appear to be an essential part of this drink. Score: 6.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
The holy grail of all fall drinks. It’s all you see on every social media post and in everyone’s hand. The latte is made with espresso, milk, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, whipped cream and pumpkin spices. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of this pumpkin spice latte, but that might just be because I don’t get them very often. It has a little too much pumpkin flavor in it for me, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Score: 7.
T-Spoons Drinks
Pumpkin Spice Latte
The fall classic itself, and not from Starbucks! Any coffee shop needs this drink if it wants to draw in customers during autumn. The pumpkin spice flavor can be added to coffees and chai. There is also an option of whipped cream topping, too (I recommend adding it in). I enjoyed this drink so much that T-Spoons is now where I go to get my pumpkin spice kick. I’m not a fan of anything filled with too much pumpkin flavor, but this drink is a perfect mix between pumpkin and spice (usually a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginseng and allspice). Score: 9.
Java House Drinks
Pumpkin Pie Latte
A little twist on the constant pumpkin spice flavor in every café. This drink was really delicious: there was a hint of cinnamon and, once again, nothing too, for lack of a better word, pumpkin-ey. It was very similar to a pumpkin spice latte, however, and could be switched out for when you want something a little different. Score: 8.
High Ground Café
Coffee with Pumpkin Flavor
I’m not a huge fan of straight up coffee (I like those fancy coffees better). Being able to add flavor though was good, although the taste of just coffee and pumpkin wasn’t my cup of tea (coffee?). Score: 6.
Coffee with Caramel Flavor
Although I don’t like plain coffee that much, the caramel flavor was, in my opinion, better than the pumpkin one, but I think that’s only because I’m obsessed with caramel in my coffee. If you’re having trouble picking between the caramel or the pumpkin flavor at High Ground, I’d go with what flavor you think is best. Score: 7.
Dunkin Donuts
Pumpkin Mocha Latte
This drink puts a little twist on the typical pumpkin flavors found in coffee. There’s a great blend of pumpkin and chocolate in it, and neither flavor is overwhelming. Once again, this is great for me and anyone else who isn’t too into the taste of pumpkin. Score: 8.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Dunkin’s take on the classic fall drink is sweet, but not super sweet. It’s tied with T-Spoons’ pumpkin spice latte, although, if I had to choose, I would pick this latte over the others. Score: 9.
Pumpkin White Chocolate Latte
This was really, really, really sweet. And this is coming from someone who’s favorite Dunkin drink (medium caramel frozen coolatta with extra caramel) is too sweet for most people to take more than one sip. If you’re really into super sweet drinks, give this one a try, but stay away if you don’t think you can handle it. Score: 6.