The 5 Best Espresso Drinks From Starbucks To Spice Up Your Autumn

Heads up: this content is reader-supported, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click on some of our links.

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 turn 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 just find your new seasonal favorite.

So let’s get sipping.

The Best Espresso Drinks From Starbucks

Starbucks is known for its coffee innovation, and the espresso drinks on the menu certainly live up to its reputation.

There’s a wide selection of handcrafted beverages at Starbucks. Still, their 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 just 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 Espresso Drinks

Latte

The Starbucks latte is made with traditional dark espresso combined with steamed milk and foam for a milk-forward experience.

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.

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.

Macchiato

The 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. 

All of these 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 espresso drinks from Starbucks, regardless of season (and some you can get year-round!). And for those of you who are sensitive to caffeine, just ask for decaf espresso.

1. Apple Crisp Macchiato

Starbucks newest drink this Fall is an instant favorite. 

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 of our coffee-drinking lives.

Imagine a bite of warm apple pie with all the sweet, caramel-cinnamon goodness and just a touch of melting ice cream on top. 

It’s like that, but with coffee!

Available both hot or iced, this macchiato is a stone-cold winner either way. If you’re a fan of the caramel macchiato (which, let’s be real, who isn’t), then this one’s for you.

But be warned, obsession is a very likely side effect of ordering this seasonal show-stopper.

2. Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso

The Iced Shaken Espresso is a delightfully refreshing drink. 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 it hits different when combined with oat milk. If you’ve never tried oat milk in your morning beverage, give this one a go.

The nutty flavor of the oat milk, when combined with the brown sugar’s warm sweetness, makes for an extraordinary combination.

Try this one 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 espresso drinks from Starbucks in its standard form.

But why not take that already delectable experience and give it just 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, and this is especially true 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

Ok, 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 not familiar 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 the addition of rich espresso to balance out 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 4 pumps of chai concentrate, so simply ask for 2 chai pumps and 2 pumpkin pumps.

This one is bursting with Autumn flavor and might just become your new go-to.

5. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Ok, 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 must give this one a try.

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

The best espresso drinks from Starbucks this Autumn come in all forms: hot or iced, sweet or spicy, with or without pumpkin. 

But whether you prefer hot or iced espresso beverages, you’re sure to love these perfectly timed, nostalgia-inducing, and oddly comforting concoctions.

Ready or not, it’s almost Fall y’all. Happy caffeinating!