Fall has officially arrived.

Despite the unwavering Texas heat, the arrival of autumn has brought tastes of the season, such as nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.

Starbucks is not one to miss out on the seasonal fun. This September, they celebrated change with the return of fan favorites such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino, as well as introducing the Chile Mocha.

Pumpkin continues to be represented in Starbucks’ ever-popular bakery items, showcased through their Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and the Pumpkin Scone. Here are some of the featured fall snacks and drinks that have been added to Starbucks’ menu this season.

Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino

This sweet drink features mocha sauce, toffee nut syrup and is topped off with caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of sea salt. Sea salt in caramel is a very popular combination, as it brings out other flavors within the caramel. This frappuccino is no exception. Not only does the sea salt complement the caramel, it also brings out the mocha part of the fall favorite frappe. Though not all frappuccinos contain coffee, the Salted Caramel Mocha Frappe does. The coffee taste is stronger than most frappuccinos and definitely shines through. You may enjoy this drink as a nice alternative to other caramel flavored drinks such as the caramel macchiato or caramel frappuccino.

Chile Mocha Frappuccino

The frappe is highlighted by the flavors of cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla. At first sip, I was overwhelmed by the strong cinnamony flavor. Do not let the “chile” in the name scare you away from trying it– the drink is topped with a just enough chili powder so it doesn’t overpower the other flavors of the drink. The coffee taste is not as strong in this drink– the flavor is much more reminiscent of a hot chocolate. The Chile Mocha Frappuccino is a great way to try something new for those that enjoy the Peppermint Hot Chocolate that arrives come winter. It is perfect for those that are craving a not-so-sweet treat.

Pumpkin Scone

This treat is topped with a vanilla icing drizzled with pumpkin spice glaze, proving there can never be too much pumpkin. Although softer than expected, the scone had a much more subtle pumpkin spice flavor than expected. The pastry itself was much more enjoyable than the glaze it was topped with– the sweetness of the icing tends to overpower the fall flavors within the scone.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin

The underappreciated autumn dessert definitely showcases pumpkin flavors at their full potential. The muffin contains pumpkin not only inside, but is then topped with pumpkin seeds that provide the perfect contrast of textures. The sweetness of the muffin itself is not very strong, as it is not a cupcake. With that being said, the frosting-like cream cheese filling in the center of the muffin provides a perfect bite of sweetness. The saltiness of the pumpkin seeds also highlights the cream cheese filling. The pastry has a very soft texture and is the ideal representation for fall spices.
Though these treats are only seasonal, they are definitely among the top that Starbucks has to offer. Fall is fleeting- do not forget to immerse yourself in the flavors of the season.

To contact, Elena can be found on twitter @elenamg24 or email her at [email protected]