SEASONAL MENUS

Starbucks

When many people think of limited edition fall menus, they think of Starbucks and its popular Pumpkin Spice Latte (often shortened to “PSL”). While this iconic menu item has returned again this year, there are many other returning and brand new menu items that made their way onto the updated fall menu. Joining the PSL in returning for another year, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai are bringing back unique pumpkin flavors of their own. Also bringing the flavor of pumpkin to Starbucks this season are the brand new Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso, Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha, and Pumpkin Spice Chai. A survey revealed that just under half of CCA’s students are already seeking their fall fix with pumpkin-flavored treats such as these. Starbucks is also joining in on the banana-flavored everything trend that has appeared in countless chain restaurants and cafés throughout the year. Two new banana bread flavored drinks are making their way onto the menu, including the Iced Banana Bread Latte and the Iced Banana Bread Chai, both of which feature Starbucks’ new banana syrup and fan-favorite brown sugar cream cold foam. Those of us who enjoy the flavor of pecans during fall will also enjoy the three pecan-inspired drinks that appeared on this year’s fall menu, including the returning Pecan Cortado and Iced Pecan Crunch Latte. Joining these two drinks is the brand new Pecan Crunch Latte.

Starbucks and its fall menu. Photo by Kailee Carver.

To round off this year’s fall drink menu, the new Iced Chaider, which is a combination of the flavors of chai and cider, has joined the other drinks on the menu. If you’re feeling hungry, Starbucks has some new food items, including the new Chicken Bacon Protein Pocket, the new Hedgehog Cake Pop, and the returning Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin. With a food selection like this, it isn’t shocking to see that around 75% of our students frequent Starbucks to grab their fall-themed treats. You can read the full fall menu on the official Starbucks website or in any Starbucks store to learn more about these fall-themed treats and other new items at Starbucks.

Dunkin’

Dunkin’ is introducing “The Pumpkin Patch,” a seasonal menu composed of fall favorites. This year they’re introducing some new specialties. Their Pumpkin Patch Cloud Latte features their bold espresso with touches of vanilla, spiced pumpkin, and cinnamon sugar. If you’re yearning for a fall flavor and trying to keep that summer bod at the same time, try their nutty Pumpkin Protein Latte. It comes iced or hot,  and has 17 grams of protein in a standard medium size. It’s described by Dunkin’ as, “A creamy latte made with warm pumpkin spices and hazelnut flavors, and protein milk.” For those of you looking for a sweet treat, they also offer pumpkin donuts and muffins. Take a peek at their fall menu “The Pumpkin Patch” to explore the featured menu. 

Panera

Tied with Dunkin’ for 2nd most visited fall favorite spot, Panera is trying to break out with their pumpkin spice desserts in the midst of the pumpkin spice drink craze. This season they are introducing two new pastries. The Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll is a perfect combination of the warm cinnamon and festive pumpkin notes found in your favorite fall treats. Topped with a pumpkin spice icing, it’s a must try menu item. Another new menu item is the Caramel Pumpkin Slice, a perfect cake slice filled with fall forward flavors; pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla, and salted caramel, all topped with pumpkin spice icing. Finally, their Pumpkin Cookie will be making a return. This fun pumpkin shaped treat will feature a shortbread cookie with decorative icing. In addition to these cozy snack options, Panera couldn’t stay away from the iconic fall drinks. This year they are introducing two new menu items, the first being a Pumpkin Spice Frozen Java. This frozen blended coffee drink consists of a dairy blend and pumpkin sauce, topped with whipped cream and pumpkin spice crumbles. They are also adding a Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee to their seasonal lineup, alongside the returning Pumpkin Spice Latte. The Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee is made with a richer version of their dark roast coffee with pumpkin sauce over ice, topped with sweet cream cold foam and pumpkin spice crumbles. 

Visit your local Panera to give these new treats a try. Although the majority of students chose Starbucks when seeking fall drinks, some other honorable mentions included Dunkin’, Scooters, Culvers, Deja Brew, and Panera. As a quick little wrap-up, we asked CCA students the question, “If you could create your own fall menu item, what would it be?” Creativity and pumpkin spice must be coursing through the student body’s veins, because we garnered a large variety of new ideas. Pumpkin bars, cakepops, cinnamon rolls, and pies were proposed. On the drink side, we saw lots of apple and cinnamon flavors. Cider flavored energy drinks, apple crisp cold brews, and an honorable mention to “some type of sweet frozen apple cider without a cinnamon flavor in a slushie form for when it’s fall, but like 90 degrees Fahrenheit because we live in Iowa.” Don’t let the summer weather deter you from checking out all of these featured menu items.