The coveted Starbucks fall menu — is it worth the hype?
By Sophia Nagra, A&E editor
300 days. That’s how long Starbucks fans wait for their pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin cream chais, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, and raccoon cake pops, among many other dopamine-inducing drinks. Many infrequent customers cannot fathom the fall menu frenzy, while, for loyal customers, calendars are marked for this unconventional holiday and plans are made well in advance. This year, a recent addition has been made with a pecan syrup revolutionizing drink possibilities. But, with catchy names and mainstream attention, is the Starbucks fall menu actually deserving of it all?
Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte | 7.5/10
A classic, and by far, the most popular menu on the Starbucks fall menu-- the Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte earns a 7.5/10, as the chilled pumpkin spice sauce and espresso blend beautifully together. However, for many, the dome lid is an unappealing detraction, so make sure to ask for no whipped cream if that is the case for you. Overall, this drink is a must-try, but a hit or miss depending on your barista.
Hot Pumpkin Spice Latte | 7/10
You might be wondering why the warm and iced Pumpkin Spice Lattes are separated. The answer is that they taste almost completely different, in my opinion. Similarities end at the ingredients, as the taste and experience varies. The warm Pumpkin Spice Latte is often dry and could do with less pumpkin spice topping. If you are wanting to try this drink, make sure, just like any other Starbucks drink, that you wait a few minutes until the drink is at a medium hot temperature. I find that drinking it right away not only burns your tongue, but it also melts through the whipped cream and affects the taste of the syrup. If you wait before drinking, the whipped cream remains intact, and its cool, creamy, and refreshing consistency pairs beautifully with the potent pumpkin. Overall, this drink gets a 7/10.
Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai | 4/10
The Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai is another fan favorite. Honestly, this drink frustrates me a bit as an Indian person. If you didn’t know, chai is a strong Indian spiced tea that is usually made with a blend of cardamom, black tea, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, black peppercorns, fennel, and much more depending on the brewer. It is weird to me that Western culture has not only popularized the phrase “chai tea latte,” but has also popularized a watered down version of it that just tastes like milk and cinnamon. Although it might not seem like a big deal, I am grateful to Starbucks for changing the name from “Chai Tea Latte” to just “Chai Latte,” as it acknowledges the roots of chai, which also means tea, eliminating awkward redundancy and respecting the original culture and language. The word originates in China, pronounced “chaa,” and spread through the Persian word “chay,” before being adopted into the Hindi language as “chai,”-- the drink we know and love today. All throughout history, chai has meant tea. So, you can see how naming a drink “tea tea,” or “tea tea latte,” can be absurd. As I said before, this drink, at Starbucks specifically, just tastes simply like milk, cinnamon, and even some nutmeg on a good day. The good thing about the Pumpkin Cream Chai, however, is that the pumpkin cold foam saves this subpar drink from total tastelessness. Overall, this drink rates a 4/10.
Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte | 9.5/10
Words can not describe the magic that is the pecan syrup. A recent addition to Starbucks, the Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte is the perfect blend of vanilla sweet cream cold foam, crunch, smooth espresso, oatmilk, and the slightest savory notes. If you are getting a tall--which is a smart choice, especially if it is your first time drinking this, as it is very sugary-- I recommend asking for a double shot of espresso, as it tends to get very milky, and some of the flavor subsides. Depending on your barista, you may or may not be charged extra for this. However, a grande comes with a double shot, so no need to make any special additions unless you wish to do so. I don’t recommend getting a venti or trenta due to the sugar content-- but if you have already tested it out with a tall or grande, I understand why you would. I give this drink a 9.5/10.
Racoon Cake Pop | 5/10
Known for its adorable and intricate icing, this racoon is beloved among three to ten year olds, but is a classic for any age. In my opinion, the extra icing needed to create the design is overwhelming and less appetizing compared to the birthday or chocolate cake pops. However, the racoon is slightly bigger, which many appreciate. Having any cake pop once in your life is a must, but if you have already had one, and are looking for a sweet treat, I recommend the cinnamon coffee cake or vanilla bean scones. For the price, this is just not worth it. All in all, the racoon cake pop gets a 5/10.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin | 8/10
Delectable. Creamy. Moist. Flavorful. The Pumpkin Cream Cheese muffin is a treat that never misses. Even if you are in the mood for something savory, this muffin is the perfect thing. I recommend getting a cold, milky drink to pair with this, like the Pumpkin Cream Chai, or even just a venti iced water. While it is delicious, the sugar and richness can be excessive, especially if you are not eating on an empty stomach. So, I give the Pumpkin Cream Cheese muffin an 8/10.