Fall is finally upon us: the leaves are falling and our town has transitioned into chilly weather. Now that it’s time to bring out cozy sweaters and take photoshoots in pumpkin patches, the Blockbuster fall coffee review is back! We embarked on a journey to Starbucks and Dutch Bros to deliver our honest opinions on this year’s fall menus.
From the beginning, we were wary of Dutch Bros’ Pumpkin Slasher Lemonade, with its bold flavor-pairing and striking neon appearance. The base resembled a melted orange creamsicle. The consistency was essentially juice remains from a fruit salad. The only remotely positive was the soft top, which balanced out the sour Fanta. On that sour note, we would not recommend the Pumpkin Slasher Lemonade at all.
On the more tempting side of the offerings is the Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Latte. Complete with caramel drizzle and raw sugar sprinkles, it is a delightful mix of sugar cookie cream and decadent caffeinated goodness. It puts a playful spin on classic autumn flavors. The sweet and salty caramel base infused with pumpkin that pops out makes for an innovative, satisfying drink.
The coffee flavor of the Cookie Butter Latte with whipped cream and drizzle was significantly more overpowering compared to our other fall drinks. You might be led to believe from the name that the latte would be as sweet as a chocolate chip cookie, but don’t be fooled. While the Cookie Butter Latte was velvety, it was more bitter than sweet. The rich coffee feel evoked cloudy, chilly autumn nights. For the dark-coffee drinkers out there, this one will be right up your alley!
Starbucks’ iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) embodies the autumn season and is a fan favorite in the annual rotation of seasonal lattes. The PSL rushes us into a sensation of fall vibes. We were met with swirls of sweetness and powerful pumpkin with every sip. The Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam really topped the drink off. You can never go wrong with the PSL.
The Pumpkin Cream Chai with Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam and Pumpkin Spice topping transported us to Thanksgiving. The Pumpkin Cream Chai had a taste that instantaneously reminded us of a warm pumpkin pie. The drink’s light texture and punches of cinnamon evoked comfort.
The Iced Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte was a nice change of pace. It was very refreshing with a creamy texture and tasted like an indulgent pastry. The Pecan Crunch topping drove the distinct nutty aftertaste home. Your worries will wash away with the Pecan Crunch Latte!
Cozy up with one of these drinks when you binge “Gilmore Girls” or take a scenic stroll.
Starbucks houses our fall drink staples, heavy on lattes that revolve around pumpkin and soft spice blends for a holiday twist. Starbucks is for those in the mood for a calming drink and automatic fall vibes. Dutch Bros, on the other hand, makes small alterations to produce an innovative variety of tastes. If you’re seeking a boost of energy, Dutch Bros’ ingenious flavor combinations will do just the trick — and treat! Both locations will get you into the fall spirit one way or another!
Our final verdict? Dutch Bros’ Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Latte from Dutch Bros and Starbucks’ Pumpkin Cream Chai were our ultimate winners. They were bundles of fall in a beverage and stirred up feelings of nostalgia.
Feeling adventurous? Grace experimented with our batch of drinks and brewed up a concoction of her own. She mixed the Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Latte with the PSL to create a special menu item: the Double Pumpkin Threat Caramel Spice. This goes to show you the magic of customization. You can order any of the lattes and request extra add-ins of pumpkin sauce, pumpkin cream cold foam, and drizzles for an extra delectable kick of fall.
