The 5 Best Espresso Drinks From Starbucks To Spice Up Your Autumn
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Every year it feels like Fall arrives a little earlier than we expect it to. Or maybe it’s just that infamous pumpkin drink at Starbucks that’s suddenly everywhere you look at the end of August.
Either way, ready or not, Fall is officially upon us (rejoice!), and we’ve rounded up the best espresso drinks from Starbucks to give you those cozy Autumn vibes.
Sorry, the PSL is not on this list because it’s already so popular that it’s known by an acronym. Enough said.
Instead, we’re here to provide you with a few new Starbucks drinks to try out this Fall. You might find your new seasonal favorite.
So let’s get sipping.
Table of Contents
The Best Espresso Drinks From Starbucks
Starbucks is known for its coffee innovation, and Starbucks espresso drinks certainly live up to its reputation.
There’s a wide selection of handcrafted beverages at Starbucks. Still, Starbucks’ fall drinks really put them on the map for being a purveyor of delicious, unique espresso drinks and seasonal favorites.
The pumpkin spice latte might be the most famous coffee drink ever created, for better or worse, and is definitely one of the best espresso drinks from Starbucks.
But there is a bevy of other delectable Starbucks drinks to try this season, so let’s take a quick look at the different types of espresso drinks and what makes each unique.
Types Of Starbucks Espresso Drinks
Starbucks Latte
The Starbucks latte is made with traditional dark espresso, steamed milk, and foam for a milk-forward experience.
Starbucks Blonde Latte
Starbucks released a lighter version of their traditional espresso a few years back, calling it blonde. Any of the best espresso drinks from Starbucks may be made with blonde espresso for a smoother, lighter experience.
Starbucks Flat White
A flat white is made with ristretto shots instead of the standard espresso shots. A ristretto shot is a short (restricted) shot made with less water for a more concentrated, sweeter flavor.
The ristretto shots are combined with steamed whole milk for a creamy, dreamy, heavenly cup.
Starbucks Macchiato
The iced caramel macchiato is one of the top Starbucks drinks and a favorite of many. But what’s the difference between a latte and a macchiato?
A macchiato is made with less milk than a latte for a bolder experience. The espresso is “marked” with milk instead of drowning in it. It’s equally tasty when prepared hot as it is iced.
In fact, all of these Starbucks espresso drinks may be prepared hot or iced and are delicious both ways.
Starbucks Fall Drinks
In no particular order, here are our top picks for what to order from Starbucks this Fall. We think these are some of the best Starbucks espresso drinks, regardless of season (and some you can get year-round!). And for those of you who are sensitive to caffeine, ask for decaf espresso.
1. Apple Crisp Macchiato
Starbucks is bringing back the Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato for Fall 2023! Only available seasonally, this Starbucks drink is like Fall in a Cup.
The Apple Crisp Macchiato is already one of the best espresso drinks at Starbucks. It feels like the drink we’ve been waiting for all our coffee-drinking lives.
Imagine a bite of warm apple pie with all the sweet, caramel-cinnamon goodness and a touch of melting ice cream. It’s like that but with coffee!
This macchiato is a stone-cold winner either way, available both hot and iced. If you’re a fan of the caramel macchiato (which, let’s be real, who isn’t), this one’s for you.
But be warned; obsession is a likely side effect of ordering this seasonal show-stopper.
2. Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso
The Iced Shaken Espresso is delightfully refreshing and one of the best iced espresso drinks at Starbucks. And this brown sugar, oat milk iteration is absolute perfection on a warm Fall day.
The brown sugar syrup is delicious in any beverage but hits differently when combined with oat milk. If you’ve never tried oat milk in your morning beverage, give this one a go.
When combined with the brown sugar’s warm sweetness, the oat milk’s nutty flavor makes for an extraordinary combination. Or, if brown sugar isn’t your thing, Fall 2023 will bring us the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso! Hello, new favorite.
Try either of these tasty shaken espressos with the blonde espresso for a lighter, fruitier (and, dare we say, even more refreshing) take on the original.
3. Cinnamon Dolce Flat White
We love flat whites. The flat white is hands down one of the best Starbucks espresso drinks to try in its standard form.
But why not take that already delectable experience and give it a hint of Autumn cozy? Try a flat white with cinnamon dolce syrup for a spiced-up twist on the original.
Something about the aroma and flavor of cinnamon creates instant warm and fuzzy vibes, especially when paired with the rich, smooth, creamy goodness of a flat white.
And the best part? This uber-comforting concoction is available year-round.
4. Dirty Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte
Okay, so the name might need a little finessing. But don’t let that stop you from ordering this Autumn-in-a-cup creation on repeat this Fall.
If you’re unfamiliar with a dirty chai latte, your life is about to change. Or, you’re about to experience a really epic caffeinated beverage anyway.
A dirty chai latte is a chai latte with a shot of espresso. It’s a warm, spiced cup of seasonal deliciousness, made better with rich espresso to balance the sweetness.
The dirty chai is excellent on its own, but why stop there? This Fall, try it with pumpkin!
Order a dirty chai tea latte, but swap ½ the chai pumps for pumpkin sauce instead. The chai tea latte comes standard with four pumps of chai concentrate, so simply ask for two chai pumps and two pumpkin pumps.
This one is bursting with Autumn flavor and might become your new go-to.
5. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Ok, this one isn’t technically one of the best espresso drinks from Starbucks this Fall, but we’d be remiss to leave it off this list because it is one of, if not the best, Starbucks Fall drinks. Period.
This is a pretty special cold brew. It’s like the PSL, but way, way better. If you’re a fan of Starbucks cold brew and cold foam, you’ve got to try this one.
The pumpkin cream gives you all the warm PSL creaminess you crave but are too embarrassed to order. Plus, it’s far less sweet than the PSL, which earns big points for us.
The pumpkin cream cold brew is the perfect choice for a September day when you really wish it was Fall, but it’s 90 degrees outside.
Trust us; you’ll look forward to the arrival of this one each year. But please resist the urge to order it in August. It’s just not right.
Final Thoughts
This Autumn, Starbucks espresso drinks come in all forms: hot or iced, sweet or spicy, with or without pumpkin.
But whether you prefer hot or iced espresso beverages, you’ll love these perfectly timed, nostalgia-inducing, and oddly comforting concoctions.
Ready or not, it’s almost Fall y’all. Cheers!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any secret menu options for fall espresso drinks at Starbucks?
Yes, Starbucks has a few secret menu options for fall espresso drinks. One popular option is the “Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte,” which is made by adding two pumps of pumpkin spice syrup, one pump of cinnamon dolce syrup, and one pump of white chocolate to a latte. Another option is the “Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino,” which is made by adding cinnamon dolce syrup and white mocha syrup to a coffee frappuccino.
What is the new shaken espresso option for fall at Starbucks?
The new shaken espresso option for fall at Starbucks is the “Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso.” This drink features espresso, with “notes of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar,” shaken together and topped with oat milk, served over ice. It’s a delicious and refreshing option for those who prefer iced espresso.
What are some year-round espresso drinks at Starbucks that taste like fall?
If you’re looking for year-round espresso drinks at Starbucks that taste like fall, try the “Cinnamon Dolce Latte” or the “Toffee Nut Latte.” Both of these drinks feature warm, cozy flavors that are perfect for autumn and delicious hot or iced.
What are some of the best seasonal espresso drinks at Starbucks for fall?
Other than those we’ve already mentioned, some of the best seasonal espresso drinks at Starbucks for fall include the “Salted Caramel Mocha” and the “Maple Pecan Latte.” Of course, many will argue that the “Pumpkin Spice Latte” is the best Starbucks drink for fall. To each their own. These drinks are made with delicious fall flavors and satisfy your autumn cravings.
What are the most popular fall espresso drinks at Starbucks according to Reddit?
According to Reddit, some of the most popular fall espresso drinks at Starbucks include the “Pumpkin Spice Latte,” the “Salted Caramel Mocha,” and the “Caramel Apple Spice.” These drinks are all beloved by Starbucks fans and will surely get you in the autumn spirit.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather Calatrello
Heather is the head coffee roaster and founder of ShedLight Coffee Roasters in San Diego, CA. She has repeatedly been featured in Food & Wine, Real Simple, Parade, and more, and her solar-powered coffee roastery was recently the subject of a BlueDot Living dispatch.
