The weather is finally cooling down, while the Pumpkin Spice Latte ads are heating up. But not everyone obsesses over the overly orange-hued beverage. National Coffee Day is tomorrow, and we’re craving a different sort of fall-flavored caffeine fix. Think salted caramel, pear spice, or notes of nutmeg. If the pumpkin spice explosion has you thinking, “Oh, gourd, no,” check out these autumn alternatives from six Dallas-area coffee shops.
Mudsmith Coffee: Salted Caramel and Rose Hemp Milk Latte
Enjoy this non-dairy drink at a cozy Mudsmith table. Salted caramel is the dominant flavor in this fall feature, but floral notes of rose come through in the latte’s aftertaste. The mild taste of hemp milk adds to the sweet flavors of the caramel and the rose overtones. A double shot of espresso will leave you ready to take on the day.
Rosalind Coffee: Fireside Flat White
This Garland coffee shop’s flat white boasts cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg mixed into a creamier version of a latte. With a spice palette similar to that of its pumpkin spice counterpart, it’s an excellent alternative for those who object solely to the P in PSL. Take in the spices of the season at one of Rosalind’s white marble tables under the cover of their spirited fall decorations.
Magnolia Sous Le Pont: Candy Bar Mocha
This chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel creation is a coffee take on trick-or-treat-basket candies. It distinguishes itself from the season’s characteristic savory spice drinks by leaning toward the sweet side. Slip into a turquoise lounge chair and gaze at local artwork from Pressed Flower Crafts as you sip on this indulgent beverage.
The Perc Coffee House: Pear Spice Cappuccino
Perc Coffee House in Lewisville pays homage to the fruits and nuts currently in season with the Pear Spice Cappuccino. Ginger powder slightly offsets the sweetness of the pear in this foamy favorite, giving it a more subdued spice. Taste any of Perc’s fall menu items, none of which contain pumpkin, under the antique road signs that decorate their rustic brick interior.
Crooked Tree: Autumn Spice Latte
Relax on one of the shop’s comfy couches while savoring a warm Autumn Spice Latte, full of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and star anise. The absence of nutmeg creates a different flavor profile than that of the PSL and allows notes of licorice and clove to shine. Customers can request the house-made syrup from this latte in any drink, so autumn spice cappuccinos and mochas are also on the table.
Fiction Coffee: Toast to Tolkien
A blend of cold brew, tamarind, and molasses comprises this Middle Earth-inspired fall coffee. A sweet-and-stout cold brew base mingles with citrus, clove, and cinnamon flavors to form a drink that pairs well with the next book on your list. Keep an eye out for Fiction Coffee’s new State Fair latte over the next few weeks.
