Fall Drinks to (Pumpkin) Spice Up Your Semester

Well folks, it’s almost that time of the year. Freshman flu is coming in hot, with shorter days and colder weather knocking at our door in the weeks to come. Each day that passes is one closer to the official end of summer. A sad thought, right? Yeah, I was bummed too.

But! Then it came to me. Or rather, it came to my Instagram ads. The Harvard Square fall drinks are back and as boujee as ever, and what better way to start off the season than with a piping hot, over-the-top, autumn-themed beverage? Maybe I just need an excuse to fuel my caffeine addiction, or maybe the drinks are simply that good. Here’s a breakdown of Flyby’s favorite fall drinks for you to try this semester.

Pumpkin Spice Latte (Everywhere)

The pinnacle of fall-themed drinks and found in every coffee shop ever, I can only describe it as if a warm, freshly baked pumpkin pie dove into a pool of steaming coffee. Divine. This classic latte will warm you right up and make those cool days actually look appealing (for the ten minutes it takes you to drain your cup). Not to mention, the autumnal aesthetic is strong with this drink, so if the fall vibe is what you’re striving for, then this one will do the trick.

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks)

If you’re a die-hard iced coffee fan like me, then a nice, refreshing cold brew will always make your day — be it rain, shine, or snow (all plausible for the fall season in Cambridge). Pair that with the spirited taste of pumpkin, and you have the perfect chilly treat to enjoy from the warmth of your dorm as it cools down outside.

Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato (Starbucks)

For all you oatmilk baddies out there, this is a fun one to branch out with. Speaking honesty here, this drink tastes uncannily like Quaker Oats’ Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, which was wildly odd to discover, but it kind of grew on me? The apple flavor may not be everyone’s cup of coffee, but it’s new and interesting and certainly fall-like. If you’ve been craving the apple picking season with its fritters and pies and such, then this is my recommendation for you!

Pumpkin Cold Brew Oat Latte with Brown Sugar Jelly (Peet’s)

Now that’s a mouthful both to order and to drink. I personally didn’t even try to say it all, just pointed at the picture on the wall and said “that one”— it seemed to do the trick. Found at Peet’s Coffee, this drink is a funky fresh twist on the classic pumpkin drink, though the brown sugar jellies did confuse my taste buds on a number of levels. If extra AF is what you’re searching for, then look no further.

Hot Cider (Everywhere)

Not a coffee person? Never fear, you still have options aplenty. Most local coffee shops will be happy to offer you a lovely non-caffeinated beverage such as hot cider, a personal fav as well as a perfectly respectable alternative to coffee that’ll still get you into the fall spirit.

I hope I’ve managed to convince at least a small portion of you to give some of these funky drinks a whirl this fall — especially once we get into midterm season, when the only way I can feel anything besides stress is to buy my silly little drinks between study sessions (I’m fine, I promise). Flyby wishes you a happy fall!