Ranked: The best Starbucks drinks to get this fall that aren't a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Melissa WellsSep 14, 2023, 02:23 IST

My lineup of Starbucks fall drinks.Melissa Wells/Insider

Starbucks is known for its Pumpkin Spice Latte, but it has a menu full of fall drinks worth a try.
As a regular Starbucks customer who's not a huge PSL fan, I wanted to find a new seasonal favorite.

This might sound strange coming from a Starbucks fan, but the Pumpkin Spice Latte has never been one of my go-to orders.

There's no denying how much other people love the chain's iconic fall-themed beverage. In 2020, Starbucks called its famous drink a "catalyst" for a record-breaking fourth-quarter performance that year — success that increased 17% year-over-year by fall 2022, CNN reported.

However, Starbucks has many other options on its menu this time of year — and, personally, I'd opt for some of them over a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I prefer the sweet and salty taste of the Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew, or, if I want something with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove, I'll go for its new Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte.

I decided to try 11 fall-inspired drinks that aren't PSLs, and after tasting them, I ranked them from my least favorite to my favorite. Keep reading to see my final list.

Unlike most Starbucks die-hards, I never choose a Pumpkin Spice Latte to get me in the fall mood.

Melissa holding a Venti Cinnamon Caramel Cream Cold Brew (left) and a Grande Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte (right).Melissa Wells/Insider

My least favorite of the drinks I tried was the Caramel Apple Spice, but if you're a fan of the crisp tang of apple cider, this might be for you.

Starbucks' Grande Caramel Apple Spice.Melissa Wells/Insider

Sorry, Shaken Espresso lovers — the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso also came in at the bottom of my list.

Starbucks' Grande Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso.Melissa Wells/Insider

I found the mix of apple purée, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a spicy caramel-apple drizzle on the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato to be overwhelming.

Starbucks' Grande Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato.Melissa Wells/Insider

I thought the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappuccino simply wasn't memorable, so I had to rank it pretty low.

Starbucks' Grande Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappuccino.Melissa Wells/Insider

The Pumpkin Caramel Macchiato is a pumpkin variation of the traditional Caramel Macchiato, but you won't find it on Starbucks' main menu.

Starbucks' Grande Pumpkin Caramel Macchiato.Melissa Wells/Insider

The Pumpkin Hot Chocolate is another secret-menu beverage that may sound odd, but I thought it retained the creamy richness of Starbucks' original Hot Chocolate.

Starbucks' Grande Pumpkin Hot Chocolate.Melissa Wells/Insider

The flavor of the cold foam on the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew was what made this drink unique for me.

Starbucks' Grande Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.Melissa Wells/Insider

What really set the Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew apart was its smooth cold brew, the sweet kick of caramel, and the salted cold foam.

Starbucks' Grande Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew.Melissa Wells/Insider

The Cinnamon Caramel Cream Cold Brew is like salted caramel and cinnamon dolce had a love child.

Starbucks' Grande Cinnamon Caramel Cream Cold Brew.Melissa Wells/Insider

I felt like Starbucks' special pumpkin-spice mixture was amplified in the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino.

Starbucks' Grande Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino.Melissa Wells/Insider

In my No. 1 spot is the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte — it wasn't too strong, and it wasn't too sweet.

Starbucks' Grande Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte.Melissa Wells/Insider

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