It’s Time for Pumpkin Spice

Starbucks’new fall menu is to die for. (Photo from Starbucks.com).

Adriana Arroyo, Assistaint Editor-in-Chief

I’ve been counting down the days until August 30, 2022, for what feels like a lifetime, and it’s finally here. At last, everyone’s Starbucks fall favorites are back in store for another delicious season, and it’s safe to say that I will be utterly broke by the end of it.

The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato comes both iced and hot, pefect for both warm and cold weather. (Photo from Starbucks.com).

For those unaware of how special the fall season at Starbucks is, let me give you a brief run down of which new (seasonal) drinks and pastries will be offered at your local Starbucks coffee shop from now, August 30th, 2022, until mid November of 2022.

There’s the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato, and the Iced Chai with Pumpkin Foam. Personally, I’d have to say that my top three favorite fall drinks at Starbucks are the Iced Chai with Pumpkin Cold Foam, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato.

I love a good Pumpkin Chai when I’m in the mood for something sweet, but it can be overwhelming at times. However, when I’m in the mood for the tangy taste of coffee, I love a good Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, because the coffee and heavy pumpkin-flavored cream mix together to create one, sweet and savory treat. If I’m in the mood for something right in between sweet and savory, I’ll get an Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato, which not only tastes delicious, but looks delicious too.

Samara DeLeon ’23 shared her excitement about fall season at Starbucks, saying, “I love that feeling when you get your Iced Chai with Pumpkin Cold Foam, it’s honestly the closest thing I can get to experiencing a real fall season, you know, since it’s currently 103° F in southern California.”

Not only are the new seasonal drinks at Starbucks delicious, but so are the new pastries. In honor of the fall season, Starbucks has launched a Pumpkin Seed Muffin with Cream Cheese, a Pumpkin Scone, and an Owl Cake Pop. Although I haven’t tried any of these fall pastries just yet, avid coffee and pastry consumer, Trista Verne’23, explained her love of Starbucks’ new menu and gave us a new fall drink to try: “I cannot start my morning without a Venti Iced Chai with Oatmilk, 3 pumps of brown sugar syrup, and Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam. If I could, I would ask for an entire cup of the Pumpkin Cold Foam, straight. Their Pumpkin Seed Muffin is also to die for.”

Clearly, the coffee girls have gone crazy for Starbucks’ new fall menu, and debit cards schoolwide will soon be drained. I can personally say that this seasonal drop is the best simulation of a fall season any southern California resident could ask for, and if I close my eyes hard enough while enjoying my Iced Pumpkin Chai, I can almost hear a breeze sweep past, coupled with the sound of fallen leaves crunching on the ground.

If you haven’t stopped by your local Starbucks for a fall treat, you’re missing out — the new menu is delicious and so worth the money. Trust me.