Who needs summer lake days or cozy winter nights when the pumpkin spice latte can bring an entire town to life with just one sip? Each year, beginning in mid-August, pumpkin-flavored drinks make their grand return to café menus across the country, ushering in a wave of excitement. For many, this annual tradition signals far more than just a seasonal menu change, it marks the official start of the happiest time of the year, a moment when cinnamon, pumpkin, and nostalgia blend together in every cup.
As someone who frequents both Dutch Bros and Starbucks, I typically find myself preferring Dutch Bros drinks. However, that opinion completely flipped when it came to this year’s fall menu. I tried multiple drinks including Starbucks’ hot and iced pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin cream chai, as well as Dutch Bros’ Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve, Candied Cherry Rebel, and Cookie Butter Late.
Despite my affinity for Dutch Bros’ drinks, I think that the Pumpkin Cream Chai from Starbucks is one of my all time favorite drinks. A refreshing chai mixed with a slight taste of pumpkin and cinnamon is a simple yet incredible drink that I do not fail to get every fall.
In contrast, Dutch Bros’ Caramel Pumpkin Brulee was an entirely different story. While it wasn’t the worst drink I’ve ever had, I thought it was bland and lacked any pumpkin flavor. It didn’t taste any different than its other coffee drinks and is the only pumpkin flavored drink on the fall menu at Dutch Bros, which I thought was slightly disappointing.
Adding to that disappointment, the Candied Cherry Rebel was my least favorite drink I have ever had at Dutch Bros. As someone who typically appreciates cherry flavoring, it tasted like I was drinking straight cough medicine. Being considered a part of their fall menu, I also don’t see how this drink relates to the autumn essence at all. It should be saved for a different season, if released at all.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte, both hot and cold, is a classic yet satisfactory Starbucks drink. Every year, the taste of the Pumpkin Spice Latte reminds me of sweaters and cozy mornings with its sweet and creamy taste. As someone who prefers sweeter coffee in contrast to bitter coffee, I appreciate that the Pumpkin Spice Latte is more sugary compared to its other coffee beverages.
Though I prefer Starbucks’ fall drinks, the fact that Dutch Bros switches up their drinks every year is an aspect that I’ve come to enjoy. Along with the excitement of fall drinks, it adds the surprise of a new drink that we haven’t seen before, rather than Starbucks’ stagnant and never-changing fall menu.
Overall, as someone who will always love and frequently get fall drinks, I thought this year’s fall drinks were just okay. With a little more differentiation and more fall, pumpkiny drinks, next years menu could be much better than this years.
