Starbucks’ Fall Menu Has an All-New Drink, and I Tried It First
And, yes, the PSL is back.
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Happy first day of fall! Not really—we still have over a month to go, but when Starbucks drops its ever-iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte, you know it’s time to trade in your flip-flops and bathing suit for sweaters and jeans.
OK, a wardrobe swap might be a little premature, but if you’re the kind of person who waits all year for the first PSL of the season, it’s your time to shine. Starbucks’ fall menu is officially here—and it's earlier than ever before.
Starbucks' Fall Menu 2024
On Aug. 22, Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte returns for the 21st year, along with an entire suite of fall-themed drinks—including one all-new beverage. In addition to the PSL, Starbucks fan-favorite Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, and Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato are back for another season. Joining the lineup of apple-themed beverages is a brand-new addition: Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai.
Starbucks' New Fall Drink: Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai
Following the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai’s success last autumn, Starbucks decided to give its beloved apple crisp flavor the iced tea treatment. The new beverage is made with chai and creamy oatmilk that’s topped with nondairy apple crisp cold foam—however, it can be made with dairy for those who prefer.
While most of the other fall drinks have been on the menu for years, here’s a refresher of what they taste like.
Starbucks / Allrecipes
Starbucks' Pumpkin Beverage Menu for Fall 2024
Pumpkin Spice Latte: The classic PSL started it all with real pumpkin, espresso, and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices.
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew: This cold coffee treat features Starbucks’ fan-favorite vanilla-flavored cold brew topped with pumpkin cream cold foam and pumpkin pie spices.
Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai: Rounding out the pumpkin drinks is the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, which debuted in 2023, and is made with chai and topped with pumpkin cream cold foam and pumpkin pie spices.
Starbucks' Apple Beverage Menu for Fall 2024
The apple crisp lineup includes the new Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai, plus returning favorites that include:
Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato: It's made with apple cinnamon and brown sugar flavors, espresso, and oatmilk and finished with a spiced apple drizzle.
Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso: Starbucks’ blonde espresso, apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar flavors are shaken together and topped with oatmilk.
Starbucks' Fall 2024 Bakery Menu
Starbucks’ fall menu also includes three bakery items—complete with an all-new cake pop. The Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and Baked Apple Croissant are both returning, and the coffee chain is introducing a Raccoon Cake Pop made with vanilla cake and buttercream. After its fall return, the Baked Apple Croissant will join the Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf on Starbucks’ bakery menu all year long, so you won’t have to wait around for the buttery, flaky, apple-filled pastry again.
I tried Starbucks’ 2024 fall menu before it launched, and here is my honest review.
My Honest Review of Starbucks' 2024 Fall Menu
I’ll be the first to admit that I love a pumpkin spice latte, and if that makes me basic, then so be it. However, as much as I love the traditional PSL, I usually only get one every year because my go-to Starbucks fall drink is actually the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.
Knowing I love the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, which is very coffee- and pumpkin-forward, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the new Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai. Typically, I’m picking pumpkin over apple and coffee over chai any day, but the apple crisp-flavored iced chai truly surprised me.
The drink seriously tastes like an apple crisp, all the way down to the buttery, brown sugar topping. The warm apple flavor is in the cold foam, so the chai is there to bring a little spicy sweetness, and the oatmilk adds the creamy element. Together, you have a sweet drink reminiscent of the homemade apple pie your grandma brought to Thanksgiving.
If you aren’t a pumpkin fan—or like to alternate between pumpkin and something else—this is definitely a drink for you.
Starbucks' 2024 Fall Grocery Lineup Includes a New Coffee Flavor
Starbucks / Allrecipes
In addition to the in-restaurant menu, Starbucks fall flavors are also headed to the grocery store. This year, you’ll find a new coffee flavor, Smoked Butterscotch, available as grounds and K-Cup pods, in addition to the returning Fall Blend and Pumpkin Spice coffees.
Starbucks is also bringing back its Iced Espresso Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink, Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Concentrate, and Pumpkin Spice Flavored Creamer (both traditional and non-dairy). These products are available at retailers nationwide now for a limited time.
Starbucks' 2024 Fall Reserve Menu
Starbucks
Also on Aug. 22, Starbucks Reserve locations in Chicago, New York, and Seattle will debut its fall menu. The special Reserve menu includes the return of the Starbucks Reserve Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Cake, Pear and Almond Tarte, and 4 Stagioni Pizza—plus the introduction of the Pumpkin Spice Affogato, Pumpkin Spice Chai Martini, Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Cold Brew, the Pumpkin Spice Martini Flight, and Pumpkin Croffle.
Starbucks' 2024 Fall Merch
Starbucks/Allrecipes
Lastly, Starbucks can’t have a new menu release without some limited-edition merch to go with it. This year’s lineup includes a 24-ounce Violet Swirl Cold Cup, 16-ounce Metallic Pumpkin Orange Tumbler, 24-ounce Peach Gradient Bling Cold Cup, 20-ounce Deep Purple Shine Tumbler, 18-ounce Autumn Sunset Glass Cold Cup, 24-ounce Harvest Gradient Cold Cup, 20-ounce Midnight Blue Twist-to-Sip Water Bottle, and a new collaboration with Stanley for the 40-ounce Olive Green Starbucks x Stanley Vacuum Seal Quencher.
The cups will be available in Starbucks stores nationwide while supplies last. And remember, all Starbucks Rewards members will receive 10 cents off their beverage and an extra 25 Stars when they bring their own cup for use.
It doesn't matter what the calendar—or the weather—says, it's fall, y'all!
Read the original article on All Recipes.