While it would be nice for the weather to chill out and finally cool down, those of us who love our fall flavors will not be denied while we await this miracle! Sure, we might have to enjoy our fall beverages on ice for a while longer (or maybe even the whole season?), but the blazing sun won’t stop us from enjoying a taste of the new season.
As a self-professed pumpkin spice queen (You can read my round-up of delicious seasonal baked treats here) there is really nothing I like better at this time of year than finding and trying tasty new drinks. I’m yet to be disappointed by what is on offer! Because whether it’s pumpkin spice or crisp apple, pecan, and more, the cafe scene in San Antonio is really bringing it this year.
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Local favorite Merit Coffee has not one, but three seasonal drinks on offer this year. The Harvest Latte is back by popular demand (it’s spicy and earthy, not too sweet, and actually better enjoyed over ice, in my opinion) and is joined by their Shaken Maple Pecan and Berry Cobbler Matcha. The former combines maple syrup and dark brown sugar with espresso and slightly bitter pecan; the latter tastes like it just came out of your grandma’s oven. With house made brown sugar syrup, blackberry syrup, and ceremonial grade Matcha, it brings all of the sweet and fruity flavors of fall, and is served hot or iced. The maple pecan is served iced only, making it a distinctly fall-in-SA-friendly option.
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The Sean Pecanery at Indy Coffee Co. is back, with its rich and tasty combination of fall flavors. Buttered Texas pecans are simmered in cinnamon and clove to create the basis for a heavenly latte. Served hot or iced, the buttery, nutty notes of the pecan pair perfectly with espresso and your choice of milk. Finished with a little dusting of spice and ground pecan, this is basically a slice of pie in a cup, and I am always here for that! Pumpkin spice lovers can also rejoice that, in 2023, Indy is bringing its own PSL to the party. You can add their own syrup, made with abundant cinnamon sticks and other spices, to hot or iced coffee, or even chai. Anything goes!
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Popular coffee truck, Coffee Me Latte, has brought its popular Pumpkin Me Latte back for the 2023 season! It combines rich and creamy espresso, pumpkin spice, and a signature syrup made with Mazapan candy. For the ultimate taste of fall, hit up this coffee truck on the weekend for a delicious churro donut, served alongside your latte.
While choice is nice (though slightly overwhelming?) sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and enjoy the classics. With that in mind, the Headless Horsesmans’ Roast is back is back at Black Rifle Coffee! It combines notes of pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon, for the ultimate PSL served in the cafe or at home.
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Southbound Coffee 210 is an adorably cute pink truck offering truly great coffee, located at 246 E. Cevallos. They certainly know their way around a good fall flavor combo, with five seasonal sips on offer this year: the Basic Bruja mixes pumpkin spice with sweet horchata; The G.O.A.T combines heavenly cajeta with cinnamon; Everything Nice is for pumpkin spice lovers of chai tea; and U-Bae and Spellbound combine either espresso or matcha with the sweet and fruity notes of Ube cold foam. They are serving up magic!
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Poetic Republic Coffee is a wonderfully bright and homey space to sit and enjoy a delicious coffee this fall. Their Mellow Latte elevates the PSL with scratch-made, fresh pumpkin syrup, your choice of milk, and spice. A maple pecan latte and Chaider—a spicy mix of apple cider and spiced chai tea—are also on offer. Turns out you don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just use wonderful ingredients to create the perfect fall drink.
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Downtown, Estate Coffee Co. is just my kind of place to stop, sit, and enjoy a taste of the new season. Their fall lineup features a pumpkin spice latte and a maple bourbon latte – two classic flavor combinations done right.
Bright Coffee on Blanco Rd. is serving up some non-traditional fall flavors, and even for a PSL fan, that’s a refreshing sight. Their Khaki Scout latte features almond white mocha syrup, while What The Cuss mixes cold brew with apple cider and cinnamon simple syrup. Or, go totally off the wall with the Ghost Banana—chai, simple syrup, and banana milk! You can enjoy their seasonal picks, which also includes The Great Pumpkin for all you traditionalists, through October.
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Medina River Coffee Co. is serious about coffee, especially cold brews. If you are too, check out this spot! Their seasonal menu boasts an Autumn Spice Latte and cold foam cold brew, a peanut butter cup latte, and tasty baked goods to go alongside. Get in the Halloween spirit with their Purple Hollow, a pistachio/vanilla Ube latte; and the Franken-Brains, a chocolate swirl matcha with lavender Ube cold foam. Flavors not for the faint of heart!
Last, but by no means least, the Autumn Moon Latte and Autumn Moon cold brew are back at Summer Moon coffee locations across the city. Available hot, iced, or frozen (for ultimate Texas fall vibes) the former is the perfect combination of wood-fired espresso, moon milk, and organic fall spice blend.
Whether you’re team PSL or like your fall flavors on the more subtle end of the scale, I hope you’ll give one of these local coffee spots a go!
