It’s August 27th, which means it’s Pumpkin Spice Release Day! Starbucks is releasing Pumpkin Spice earlier every year, but that just means that sorority girls everywhere get more time to enjoy everyone’s favorite fall beverage.
After three years of working at Starbucks, I’ve tried almost every drink on their menu- and a few drink creations of my own! While I love a good PSL on special occasions, Starbucks’ fall menu has much tastier options that you might not know about.
1. Love a Pumpkin Spice Latte? Try a Pumpkin Creme Cold Brew.
Confession: I used to be obsessed with pumpkin spice. Back when I first enrolled in college, I would save most of my yearly Starbucks budget until the release of the PSL. I would order one every other day until they ran out.
A few years later, Starbucks updated the Pumpkin Spice syrup recipe. While it’s still pretty yummy, I don’t enjoy plain Pumpkin Spice Lattes as much as I used to. Thankfully, I found a new pumpkin favorite in the Pumpkin Crème Cold Brew!
Made with vanilla syrup and sweet cream, the pumpkin creme cold brew is the perfect fall beverage. It’s less calorically dense than the PSL but a little more sweet, making it satisfy both your sweet tooth and your diet.
Grande macros: 3g protein, 31g carbs, 12g fat, 250 calories
2. Love the Pink Drink? Try the Violet Drink.
Not gonna lie, I don’t get the Pink Drink craze. I mean, the drink is cute and makes for great Instagram pics and all, but I’m not a big fan of the flavor.
However, I love it’s lesser known sibling, the Violet Drink! While the Pink Drink is made with Strawberry Acai base, coconut milk, and strawberry inclusions, the Violet Drink is made with Very Berry Hibiscus base, coconut milk, and blackberry inclusions. It’s sweeter, creamier, and much more irresistible than the Pink or Dragon Drink.
Grande macros: 0g protein, 22g carbs, 3g fat, 110 calories
3. Love a Tea Lemonade? Try the Blueberry Black Tea.
For years, an unsweetened Green Tea Lemonade used to be my summer Starbucks go-to. That changed this past summer when Starbucks released their new flavored tea drinks, which are so much better than standard tea lemonades!
Starbucks carries three flavors: Guava White Tea, Peach Green Tea, and Blueberry Black Tea. All three are delicious, but the Blueberry Black Tea is the best! It’s also the most underrated of the three, but everyone I know who’s tried it so far has been hooked. You can order it with lemonade too, but I prefer it without as it’s a little less sweet.
Grande macros: 0g protein, 24g carbs, 0g fat, 100 calories
4. Love the Caramel Macchiato? Try a Salted Caramel White Mocha!
The Caramel Macchiato is a timeless Starbucks classic. I’ve never been a fan, but it’s a favorite of many of my friends and family members. However, if I’m looking for something sweet, the Salted Caramel White Mocha is my go-to!
This is the only drink on this list that isn’t an official part of the Starbucks menu. However, it’s pretty easy to order: just order a regular Salted Caramel Mocha, but ask your barista to substitute white mocha for regular mocha. If you want to be even more extra like me, order it with coconut milk, 3.5 pumps of white mocha, and 2.5 pumps of toffee nut- I like my drinks a little less sweet than the normal recipe!
Grande macros: 9g protein, 64g carbs, 18g fat, 450 calories
5. Love a Chai Tea Latte? Try a Pumpkin Spice Chai!
Finally, we’ve arrived at my favorite Starbucks drink of all-time: the Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Latte.
Words can’t describe how delicious this drink is. It’s one of the things I look forward to the most about fall. Just trust me and order one- you won’t regret it!
Grande macros: 9g protein, 60g carbs, 4.5 grams fat, 310 calories
Note: This post was originally published on Ciao by Shay on August 27, 2019. It was migrated to Happy Health Stylish upon my blog’s rebranding.