It’s that time of year again; Stores are filled with halloween decor and pumpkin patches are scattered around our community. Following the fall trend, Starbucks, a popular coffee chain, officially released their new fall themed menu on Aug. 30. The autumnal menu includes various hot and cold drinks as well as pastries and breads.

The main flavors of the menu center around the classic fall flavors of pumpkin, chai and salted caramel. Some drinks that are being offered this fall season include the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Coldbrew and Chai Tea. However, drinks are not the only autumnal treat you can get your hands on. There are also many fall themed foods such as the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Pumpkin Scone and an Owl Cake Pop.

The first drink I tried was the Pumpkin Spice Coldbrew. Looking at the drink itself, it looked relatively bland, probably due to the lack of whipped cream. Once I tried it, I immediately noticed the bitter taste.Yet, I was expecting it to be slightly more bitter than the other drinks because it requires less pumpkin syrup in the coffee.

The pumpkin flavoring was still noticeable but it did not overpower the coffee. When the syrup was evenly stirred throughout the drink, it made each sip taste a little less bitter. I would definitely recommend this drink for those who do not like too much pumpkin flavor but still enjoy a hint of flavoring. Overall, I would rate this drink a 6/10.

The next drink I tried was the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, which is a hallmark of the fall season. I ordered this drink cold. The presentation was on point and the drink itself looked very delicious; I could not wait to try it. The drink was topped with a swirl of whipped cream complete with a drizzle of pumpkin syrup to really bring the flavors of the drink together. Compared to the Pumpkin Spice Coldbrew, this drink was much sweeter and definitely more suited for someone with a sweet tooth.

Although the drink was extremely sweet, it did not take away from the overall coffee flavor. The pumpkin flavor paired with the whipped cream gave it a next-level kick. Like the other beverages, this one can be ordered hot or cold. This drink is a great option for those who enjoy an extra dose of sweetness with their drinks. I would rate this drink an 8/10.

The final drink I tried was the Chai Tea. In all fairness, this drink can be ordered during any time of the year. Still, the unmistakable combination of nutmeg and cinnamon reminds me of fall. This drink was by far my favorite of them all. While the appearance was nothing special compared to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the flavoring certainly made up for it. This drink had a much stronger cinnamon flavor to it. I noticed the slightly lighter coloring compared to the others because of the lack of pumpkin syrup. This drink was not too sweet, yet it was still creamy and refreshing. I would rate the drink a 9/10.

Starbucks knocked it out of the park with these new fall themed drinks. For those who enjoy a cold brew coffee, I recommend the Pumpkin Spice Cold brew. If you have a sweet tooth, the Pumpkin Spice Latte will not disappoint. If you are like me and enjoy a hint of cinnamon, give the Chai Tea a chance. Whatever your preference, head over to Starbucks before the end of January to get an autumnal beverage to really get into the fall season.