What we order from Starbucks, Williams, or Saxbys defines the seasons. In summer we sip Frappuccinos and iced coffees. Meanwhile, winter is spent warming our hands with steaming cups of peppermint hot chocolate and gingerbread lattes. But fall is the time to enjoy everything that pumpkins have to offer.
1. Pumpkin Spice Latte
The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is a fall staple. The spicy and sweet drink is packed with espresso, pumpkin-flavored syrup, steamed milk, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The pumpkin taste is present, but it’s not so overpowering that non-pumpkin fans can’t enjoy the drink, too. Each sip has us daydreaming of wood-burning fireplaces and jumping into leaf piles.
If Starbucks isn’t on your route to class, or if it’s simply not your cup of tea, you can get a Pumpkin Spice Latte from one of Penn’s student-run shops as well, such as Williams Café.
2. Pumpkin Pie Chai
This Saxbys drink is the perfect combination of the chai tea latte and pumpkin. The result is a warm, rich, spicy drink with a hint of pumpkin. Saxbys fall favorite is sweeter and creamier than its Starbucks counterpart. Pumpkin pie is without doubt a Thanksgiving essential; however, the pumpkin flavor is subtle in this drink.
3. Pumpkin Coffee Chiller
This fall, Saxbys introduced the Pumpkin Coffee Chiller. The pumpkin treat is a delicious combination of fro-yo, caramel and pumpkin-flavored coffee. Take advantage of this frozen drink while you can, before it gets too chilly!
4. Pumpkin Beer
City Tap House has a wide selection of pumpkin beers that will start off your fall nights out perfectly. Each one tastes different, so there is plenty of exploring to be done – and excuses for one more round! The wide variety of beers come in a range of tastes, from spicy to sweet, bitter to smooth, and light to creamy.
If you don’t like the sound of any of the drinks above, or just feel like being adventurous, simply add a shot of pumpkin-flavored syrup to your favorite drink. We recommend: a pumpkin spice apple cider, a pumpkin hazelnut latte, or a pumpkin caramel macchiato. The options are endless!
– Ciara Stein
Images courtesy of Starbucks, Saxbys (1, 2), and Craft Beer