This year, September 22 marked the Fall Equinox. As people and places start to get ready for this season, there are fall related things everywhere! Local cafes like Starbucks and Havana Savannah are adding new fall drinks to their menus. The majority are different pumpkin or pumpkin spice drinks. What are some of the drinks there and are they worth the once-a-year wait? 

Havana Savannah Drinks:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte:

This is a classic, perfect drink for when you feel like pumpkins and fall. You can add whipped cream and spices to top it off and enjoy! 

• Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte:

Flavorful, sweet, and pumpkin-y. Espresso shots with milk and pumpkin spice recipe all served over ice. 

• Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew:

TornadoBrew coffee served over ice with Havana’s special pumpkin spice sauce on top. This is a fall favorite and really delicious! 

• Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam Cold Brew:

Rich espresso balanced with steamed milk and a layer of foam. Add a scoop of ice cream and you’re all set. 

• Pumpkin Spice Crème Blended Delight:

This fan-favorite drink is just like a blended pumpkin pie! It’s just Havana’s pumpkin spice recipe with milk and ice. Flavorful, sweet and a perfect fall drink. Top it with whipped cream and pumpkin spice sugar for a sweet refreshment.

• Pumpkin Spice Blended Delight:

This drink is just like the Pumpkin Spice Crème Blended Delight, except it is with Espresso extract. This drink is great for a pumpkin coffee to wake you up in the morning. 

Overall, Havana Savannah has a pretty great variety of pumpkin spice drinks! Make sure to check out and taste test some of them at Havana Savannah in Valencia.

Starbucks Drinks:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte:

Starbucks’ signature espresso and steamed milk combined with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Top with whipped cream or some spices and enjoy! 

• Pumpkin Spice Crème Steamer:

Steamed milk combined with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Top with whipped cream for a delicious coffee-free drink. 

• Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Beverage:

Traditional fall spices blended with coffee, milk, and ice. Top it off with whipped cream and pumpkin-pie spice!

• Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino Blended Beverage:

Pumpkin blended with traditional fall spice flavors, milk, and ice. Put whipped cream or pumpkin-pie spice and say “hello” to fall!

• Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew:

Starbucks’ Cold Brew sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with a pumpkin cream cold foam. Sprinkled with pumpkin spice topping at the end.

• Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte:

Starbucks’ espresso and milk combined with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove – served over ice. Enjoy it topped with whipped cream and real pumpkin-pie spices. 

Like Havana Savannah, Starbucks also has many fall drinks that will quench your fall cravings! There’s practically a Starbucks on every corner, so go check out some of these delicious coffees and refreshments!

From a survey of 28 people here at Rio Norte, a shocking 26 of them haven’t tried any of the pumpkin drinks at Havana Savannah! One 7th grader has tried both the iced pumpkin spice latte and the pumpkin spice cold foam cold brew there, however. She said, “I liked the iced pumpkin spice latte because it reminds me of fall and it’s very good” and rated it an overall 8/10. The second person is a 7th grade science teacher, Mr. O. He has tried the pumpkin spice cold foam cold brew as well. He exclaimed, “I love how the cold foam looks! It’s so cool watching it mix up with the coffee” and rated that one a 10/10. 

On the other hand, lots of students at Rio have tried a variety of different fall drinks at Starbucks. One 7th grader, Aubree Hernandez, has tried every single one of the ones listed except for the pumpkin spice crème steamer. She says, “I like all because I love coffee and I love pumpkin drinks.” “10 for all because they’re really good,” Aubree adds. Furthermore, 7th graders Isabella Heringer and Mzuri Shields both like the pumpkin spice crème frappuccino blended beverage from Starbucks. Mzuri says, “I like this drink because it reminds me of the holidays” and rates it a 7/10. Isabella agrees, saying, “I like the sweet and little bit of spices in the frappuccino” and rates it an 8/10. 

All the drinks from both places are great for getting you into the fall spirit this year and are delicious! However, for the Rio Norte favorite, Starbucks and its signature yet classic iced pumpkin spice latte is the winner! Go to your local Havana Savannah or Starbucks in your free time to try out the drinks that sounded the best!