The EastCoaster

By: Brianna Powers 

As the summer heat subsides, we are brought into the most nostalgic and romantic time of the year. The fall is a season filled with beautiful foliage, crisp air, and all of our favorite Halloween and Thanksgiving-themed movies. A fun and enjoyable novelty that stirs up all the warm childhood feelings from this time of year is indulging in fall-themed drinks from our local Starbucks. 

What should you order? 

Let’s set the mood: You’re having an extremely chaotic day, between work, errands, pets, children, and all the other daily hassles. You finally have time to hit the Starbucks drive-through for a pick-me-up. What should you order? Well, for all of the pumpkin lovers out there, a grande pumpkin spice latte is for you. For those of you who have never had the enjoyment of indulging in a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, it is espresso and steamed milk with pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. You can even get whipped cream on top! For individuals with a dairy intolerance or if caffeine isn’t your style, the baristas can also brew it as decaf or substitute whole milk for plant-based milk! Another delicious recommendation to complete your drink and get your fall on is Starbucks’ seasonal pumpkin cream-cheese muffin.  

Some of you may prefer a cold drink on a crisp day. If this is the case, the new Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is definitely a drink for you. This iced shaken espresso is usually made with four pumps of apple brown sugar syrup and three shots of blonde roast espresso. If you a not familiar with the Starbucks blonde roast, this roast has a shorter roast time in comparison to regular espresso, allowing for a more mellow flavor to permeate your drink.

Low-Calorie Custom Drink Options: 

Now, for those who are reading and thinking, Wow those sound delicious, but these autumn-themed drinks really don’t fit into the new diet i’ve been crushing recently, don’t worry! 

Here are three custom low-calorie fall-themed drink orders for the next time you find yourself at Starbucks:

• Option 1:
  • A venti Americano (25 calories)
  •  Either hot or iced
  •  Two pumps of pumpkin syrup ( 35 calories a pump)
  •  Two pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup (0 calories a pump) 
  • A splash of cream (about 30-50 calories)
  • 1 packet of Splenda (0 calories). 

This order may sound like a mouthful, but it does come out to around 130 calories in comparison to a venti pumpkin spice latte which is 470. For those of you not well-versed in all things caffeine, an Americano is made with espresso shots and hot water giving it a stronger and richer flavor than regular brewed coffee. 

• Option 2:
  •  A grande iced coffee (7 calories) 
  • Two pumps of apple brown sugar syrup (20 calories per pump) 
  • 3-4 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup (0 calories)
  •  Add your milk preference  (ex: skim milk = 40 calories)  

This drink is perfect if you aren’t a huge fan of the pumpkin flavors. If you decide to get a venti, this drink will measure up to 100 calories. 

• Option 3:
  • A grande cold brew (22 calories)
  • 2 pumps of sugar-free vanilla (0 calories)
  • 1 pump of cinnamon dolce syrup (80 calories) 
  • 1 pump of pumpkin (35 calories)
  •  A splash of half and half (about 20 calories)

If you’re more of a cinnamon person, this low-calorie cold brew order is for you. The grand total of this drink adds up to 150 calories

As we begin to embrace the cool weather and autumn charm, what better way to celebrate than with a delicious fall-themed drink from Starbucks? These rich beverages are more than just a cup of warmth (or coldness if you prefer your drinks iced), they are a way to savor the taste and beauty of this time of year. Get your fall flavor on with these fall-themed pick-me-ups!