“When you hear the crunch of dried leaves underfoot and can feel a certain coolness in the air, it can mean only one thing: New drinks at Starbucks. Only these drinks aren’t just new, they’re season-inspired and, to the free market’s benefit, available just about everywhere.”
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When you hear the crunch of dried leaves underfoot and can feel a certain coolness in the air, it can mean only one thing: New drinks at Starbucks.

Only these drinks aren’t just new, they’re season-inspired and, to the free market’s benefit, available just about everywhere.

Given the nation’s current economic climate, coffeehouses will do just about anything-short of grinding down colored leaves and calling them sprinkles-to get their hands on your greenbacks.

If the idiom holds true and desperation truly does breed ingenuity, then we’re looking at one of the finest gourmet coffee menu-boards of all time.

After having sampled some of the best (and, without a doubt, worst) creations of the season, I’ve returned in order to share my findings.

Listed below are what I believe to be some of the best coffeehouse selections for fall (in no particular order)

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Crème

Think liquefied pumpkin pie. The only thing missing is the graham cracker crust; a crumbled scone, however, substitutes nicely. Your sweet tooth will thank you.

$3.80 for a Tall (12 fl. oz.) | 360 calories

Starbucks Hazelnut Signature Hot Chocolate

A silky, nutty twist on an old favorite. Best enjoyed under a canopy of red and orange leaves. Drink responsibly, though; this guilty pleasure contains more fat than one of those all-too-irresistible Rainbow Cookies (another of my Starbucks favorites).

$3.40 for a Tall (12 fl. oz.) | 450 calories

Caribou Coffee’s Hot Apple Blast

What’s better than apple-picking? Why, apple blasting, of course! The baristas at Caribou have mastered this enigmatic art form, concocting ciders that are-quite simply-red-delicious. Best of all, you can enjoy these treats with the knowledge that you’ve done your body good; if you skip on the whipped cream, Hot Apple Blasts are entirely fat-free!

$3.80 for a Small (12 fl. oz.) | 320 calories

Seattle’s Best Crème Caramel JavaKula

Frozen coffees go best with unfrozen roads. Before Father Winter wreaks havoc on our streets, let him wreak tastiness in your drink. Built on a smooth-roasted coffee base and reinforced with pump after pump of creamy caramel, this is the JavaKula to beat all JavaKulas. It pairs nicely with candy apples and itchy sweaters.

$3.50 for a Small (12 fl. oz.) | 350 calories

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