(Photo Credit: Paloma Borsari ’24)

Lily Curtis ’24 enjoying her delicious Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte.

Fall drinks are upon us. On August 24, Starbucks released their seasonal drink menu which features classics like the Pumpkin Spice Latte and new additions like the Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken espresso. Seniors Lily Curtis and Paloma Borsari took matters into their own hands and tested each drink to tell you which are worth your money.

Starting off strong with a new menu item: the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte. Think of a basic chai tea latte but with delicious pumpkin-y cold foam on top. Lily is not typically a fan of chai, but this drink changed that. This is hands down the best fall drink and is 100% worth your money.

Now time for the drink that has been around for two whole decades: the Pumpkin Spice Latte. The Pumpkin Spice Latte will forever be a staple drink. With one sip, you are transported to a brisk autumn morning in the middle of a pumpkin patch as you listen to the crunch of colorful leaves beneath your feet. This drink is the definition of fall.

Another new addition to this year’s fall menu is the Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso. Paloma, eager to try this drink, was extremely let down. This iced drink hits you with a strong, off-putting apple flavor and leaves you with a foul aftertaste of fall-spiced oatmeal. If only you could see our faces when we tasted this drink. Apple, oat, and coffee flavors should never be combined.

Finally, a fellow Royal shares her own fall drink she crafted. Ava Fishman ‘24 gets a Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken espresso and adds pumpkin sauce. She shares, “The Brown Sugar shaken espresso is my go-to, so the addition of pumpkin sauce elevates this drink to give it the perfect fall taste.”

Whether it’s trying something new, sticking to a classic, or even crafting your own drink, be sure to run to Starbucks to get your hands on a drink that replicates the sweet taste of fall.