A Definitive Ranking of Starbucks’ Fall Drinks

Everyone's favorite time of year for Starbucks is upon us: Pumpkin Spice Latte season.

I consider myself a pumpkin-lover, and, for the most part, I do love Starbucks' pumpkin syrup. However, their apple syrup is criminally underrated, and I crave it all year. 

This year, Starbucks unrolled two new drinks: the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte and the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. All your also favorites returned, from the iconic PSL—which also celebrates its 20th anniversary at Starbucks—to the Apple Crisp Frappuccino. 

I decided to try out all the drinks from Starbucks' fall collection—continue scrolling to hear my thoughts.

7. Pumpkin Spice Latte

I don't mind a Pumpkin Spice Latte. To be honest, I think it depends on who makes it, and, in my experience, there has been a lot of variety in the quality of my PSLs. But usually, I can't taste the pumpkin syrup, and I'm not a huge fan of plain coffee.

I also slightly set the PSL up for failure because I opted for the hot drink instead of the cold one. In the past, I've enjoyed the iced ones more.

Overall, it was still tolerable, but I think there are much better offerings from Starbucks' fall menu.

 

Also read about: The Best Starbucks Drinks for Anyone Who Doesn't Consume Caffeine

 

6. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

This was my first time trying a cold brew, and I was pleasantly surprised. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not much of a fan of coffee, so my expectations are pretty low. However, the vanilla syrup in this drink gives it an extra kick of creamy sweetness, and I can definitely taste the pumpkin in the cold foam.

 

5. Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

I try to avoid caffeine, so I appreciate that the Shaken Espresso drinks have the option to go decaf—so I could drink all of it guilt-free! Their Apple Brown Sugar Syrup has to be one of my all-time favorite flavors from Starbucks. The only reason this drink ranks so low is simply because of my ambivalence toward coffee.

 

4. Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

With any Starbucks Frappuccino, I always go for a crème base because the coffee flavor is too overbearing. And since I am a big pumpkin lover, it's all I wanted to taste. It has the perfect level of spice, and I love the balance of the crème.

 

Also read about: Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour Outfits as Starbucks Drinks

 

3. Caramel Apple Spice

Okay, the caramel apple spice technically is not a part of their fall menu, but it's perfect for autumn. This drink is so relaxing on a cold night—it's basically the hot chocolate of fall. And I love their Apple Spice because of its tartness.

 

2. Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte

A Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte is a fusion I would have never thought of, but it makes so much sense. The spice of the pumpkin and chai complement each other so well. Chai is one of the only drinks where I think the milk enhances the flavor. This new menu item is one I'm going to look forward to every year.

 

1. Apple Crisp Frappuccino

Driving it home here—the apple drinks from Starbucks might be the best thing they've released. Like the Caramel Apple Spice, this syrup is tart but also warm and sweet because of its brown sugar. It's a dream combination for me, and it works amazingly as a Frappuccino. It literally tastes like a caramel apple.

 

Got your PSL? Take a pic for social media, using one of THESE 12 captions.