While it would be nice for the weather to chill out and finally cool down, as we wait for this miracle, those of us who love our fall flavors just won’t be denied! Sure, we might have to enjoy our fall beverages on ice for a while longer (Maybe 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’s nothing I like better at this time of year than finding and trying new tasty 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.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best fall sips on offer 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 on ice, in my opinion.) and is joined by Apple Cider Chai and Shaken Maple Pecan. The former combines the bright crisp flavor of apple cider with warm spices and creamy oat milk; the latter, maple syrup and dark brown sugar with espresso and slightly bitter pecan. The chai can be served hot or iced, the maple pecan is served iced only, a distinctly fall-in-SA-friendly option.
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The Sean Pecanery at Indy Coffee Co. is a 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 here for that.
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Popular coffee truck, Coffee Me Latte, has three sweet fall sips this year. Alongside a particularly fine example of the Pumpkin Spice Latte are the Maple Bourbon Latte and the Biscoff Cookie Latte. I’m particularly excited about the last option, which features a housemade syrup made from those sugary, biscuity, caramelly Lotus cookies your grandmother served with coffee. Yum.
While choice is nice (Or overwhelming?) sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and enjoy the classics. With that in mind, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Black Rifle Coffee!
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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 four seasonal sips on offer: the Basic Bruja mixes pumpkin spice with sweet horchata; The G.O.A.T combines heavenly cajeta with cinnamon; Granny Smith brings together bright apple cider and grassy matcha; and the Hocus Pocus offers pumpkin spice flavors with chai tea for those who don’t love coffee.
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.
Downtown, Estate Coffee Co. is just my kind of place. Their fall lineup features a classic pumpkin spice latte and a maple bourbon latte, but I encourage you to sample their orange espresso tonic. It arrived with their summer menu, but this is a truly delicious and refreshing drink that really deserved to stick around into the fall season. Combining lime juice, tonic water, and a double shot of espresso with fresh orange juice and orange blossom, this is an unexpected but incredible menu item perfect for a hot fall day.
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 (Others are also available!) through October.
Medina River Coffee Co. is serious about coffee, especially cold brews. If you are too, check out this spot! Their seasonal option is a pumpkin cold brew topped with either marshmallow cold foam or cheesecake cold foam. Just, wow.
Last, but by no means least, the Autumn Moon Latte is back at Summer Moon coffee locations across the city. Available hot, iced, or frozen (for ultimate Texas fall vibes) it’s 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!
