Top Five Starbucks Fall Favorites

A+reporters+pumpkin+spice+latte%2C+purchased+at+a+Starbucks+in+Baltimore.+Researchers+say+the+appeal+of+pumpkin+spice-flavored+items+is+less+about+the+taste+than+the+smell+and+its+associations.

Christina Tkacik/Baltimore Sun/TNS

A reporter’s pumpkin spice latte, purchased at a Starbucks in Baltimore. Researchers say the appeal of pumpkin spice-flavored items is less about the taste than the smell and its associations.

Valeria Bigott, Social Media Editor

With the fall season just around the corner, Starbucks’ fall menu is bubbling with popularity. From their famous pumpkin spice lattes, to their warm pumpkin scones, Starbucks’ fall seasonal menu has become a well known annual favorite. Are these drinks actually worth the hype? Do people just buy them for the aesthetic? Are they overpriced? Ranking and reviewing the top five most popular fall menu items proved difficult, but this review sums it up.

When ordering the top five most popular fall menu items, according to my local Starbucks barista, the pumpkin spice latte was, by far, the most recommended. It’s one of the few drinks this year that is more popular hot than iced. Although I’m not a fan of hot coffee, out of all the fall drinks, the pumpkin spice latte was my favorite. The delicate balance between the pumpkin and cinnamon flavors don’t overpower the bold coffee flavor. This warm drink is perfect for getting into those warm, fall feels. Despite living in Miami, a warm pumpkin spice latte is always a must for the autumn season. 

Starbucks also highlights other “‘fall flavors” in their drink selection. The Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato is perfect for the dairy free, lactose intolerant coffee lovers. The drink itself is on the sweeter side, and the apple syrup compliments the blonde espresso nicely. Although it wasn’t my personal favorite, I could see others buying this as a nice alternative to a whole milk iced coffee.

The Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin consists of a “spiced pumpkin muffin topped with sweet cream cheese filling and a sprinkling of chopped, spiced pepitas” according to the official Starbucks website. (Starbucks)

When it comes to their bakery, Starbucks items tend to be a hit or miss. But these fall treats encompass all the autumn feels in a cozy, bakery sweet. The Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin was the barista’s favorite, and an outspoken customer favorite as well. The warm, moist pumpkin muffin blends so well with the sweet, gooey, cream cheese center. This is the perfect grab-and-go item for before school or work, and serves as a filling snack. It’s pretty obvious why this one is a customer favorite – it’s delicious. 

Another popular iced coffee on the fall menu is the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. Similarly to the latte, you taste the strong pumpkin upon the first sip. The cold brew, however, has a pumpkin flavored cold foam on the top, which adds a needed sweetness to the bitter cold brew. This coffee is definitely stronger than the latte, and I preferred it over the Oat Milk Macchiato. 

The Pumpkin and Pepita Loaf is an old time favorite. The moist, pumpkin cake is sweet and salty at the same time. The loaf tastes a lot like the muffin, but isn’t as flavourly complicated. These bakery items are definitely worth the try if you’re craving that autumn pumpkin taste. 

After careful consideration, these are Starbucks’ top 5 fall menu items ranked:

  1. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin
  2. Pumpkin Spice Latte
  3. Pumpkin and Pepita Loaf
  4. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
  5. Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato

This year’s fall menu selection is definitely worth the try. Don’t pass up the chance to get into those cozy, fall, feels and dive into Starbucks’ Fall Favorites.