Seasonal coffee is real. Two years ago, the Seattle Met ran a wry piece (“OMFG! It’s the PSL!”) that delves into the making of the infamous Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte that becomes the subject of social media frenzy this time of year. The fun romp, by dining editor Allecia Vermillion, was included in the Best Food Writing 2015, and I consider it required reading starting anytime after the leaves turn orange. Aside the corporate behemoth and its mass-marketed hoopla, our own local coffee spots concoct their versions of coffee and spice as the weather chills. Here are a few of my favorite.
Houndstooth Coffee (both the Sylvan Thirty and Henderson locations) has embraced the season with cappuccinos that are visually stunning when frothed milk meets espresso in art designs of red and green. I find the Rhum-Nut confounding. (There is no rum; I was expecting something like a toddy.) But the Cinnamon Spice is lovely, with a little undertow of star anise that’s most pronounced it you scoop the crema, where something about the intensity of coffee and star anise takes you somewhere like Saigon.
Local Press + Brew is making a pumpkin-spice latte with their house-made almond milk that’s a gift to vegans. They’ll make it with Mill King milk, too, but the almond milk is naturally a little sweeter and more distinct, rounding out the flavors. Clove is strong in this one.
The baristas at Ascension will be happy to add pumpkin soup to your order (they’ve got a small menu of seasonal fare). But I find their pumpkin cappuccino to be the Goldilocks of drinks. I don’t like my drinks too milky, so a cappuccino is perfectly pumpkin-y and not too sweet. Pair it with their chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon with orange zest. You won’t regret it.
The cozy Crooked Tree Coffeehouse, off an unassuming street in the State Thomas neighborhood, will add their homemade Autumn Spice syrup to any drink. They tend to be low-key, without too much seasonal fanfare in this spot where you come to read and relax. “We also have peppermint tea,” the barista piped up cheerfully.
Method, famous for their lavender and rosemary and honey lattes, is serving drinks with a homemade pumpkin syrup.
And at Mudsmith, you can find a peppermint mocha latte that will take you into the new year with its minty decadence.
We’re in the season of sugar and spice.
