On Aug. 26, Starbucks announced their Fall Drinks 2025 menu, an annual reminder that we are leaving behind the warm summer days at the pool and shifting to crisp autumn weather, perfect for snug sweaters and drinks. A vast majority of Blackman High School students and staff enjoy a delightful cup of coffee, and when autumn comes about, it adds hominess and warmth.
This year’s fall menu features five drinks: Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pecan Oat milk Cortado, Iced Pecan Crunch Oat Milk Latte, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, and Pumpkin Cream Cold brew. This review will assess the fall menu and Blackman students’ viewpoints on the drinks. Furthermore, I will review the selection of this year’s fall drinks menu based on taste, fall ambiance or autumnal, and quality based off pricing (was the cost of the drink worth it?)
Iced Pecan Crunch Oat Milk Latte
Taste: The Iced Pecan Crunch Oat Milk Latte has a nutty and buttery flavor, and it is not as sweet as usual Starbucks drinks. The iciness adds a nice, soothing touch to the drink. The vanilla sweet cream cold foam topped with pecan flavored sugar makes it a bit sweeter and creamier.
Fall ambiance/Autumnal: 4.5/10. The strong pecan flavor helps convey the ambiance. Along with Oat Milk, it adds a mellow, satisfying touch.
Quality/Pricing: Starbucks, known to be a bit pricy, cost ranging from $4-8. The price for a small size is almost $5, which is a little much.
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Taste: The cold brew has a strong coffee flavor since there are not a lot of creamers, so it brings out the tartness of the coffee. In addition, there are hints of vanilla in the cold brew that makes it sweet.
Fall Ambiance/Autumnal: The pumpkin cream cold foam and spice on top makes it feel like fall has truly welcomed us. The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew is a great drink for a laid-back day, or rich enough coffee to stay alert for a lengthy study session. The rating, in terms of ambiance, is 5/10.
Quality/Pricing: Reasonable and it is one of the least expensive drinks on the fall menu.
Pecan Oat Milk Cortado
Taste: Overall, it has a striking pecan flavor with a tiny oaty flavor. The cortado is great if you prefer nutty flavors. In addition, there is a light coffee taste, due to the amount of creamer/dairy products in it.
Fall Ambiance/Autumnal: The warmness of the cortado makes it feel like a cozy sweater. Somehow the nuttiness of the drink helps assist the ambiance. The autumnal ranking is 8/10.
Quality/Pricing: The drink is low in price compared to the other fall coffees. Personally, I believe that the price does not match the value.
Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai
Taste: The pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and cinnamon wonderfully tie with the chai. The chai makes the pumpkin flavors pop out in the best way possible. Along with that, the latte is extremely creamy with the cream cold foam and the milk fused with the chai.
Fall Ambiance/Autumnal: “It feels like a spiced candle or fall baking,” said sophomore Addison Merson. The chai is a refreshing, flavorsome drink that captures the essence of fall. The rating for the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai is 9/10.
Quality/Pricing: The quality of the drink did not displease. The price did not differ from the other drinks.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Taste: The classic PSL has the perfect amount of nutmeg, pumpkin spices, and cinnamon. Moreover, it has a light, creamy texture.
Fall Ambiance/Autumnal: “It tastes like fall in a cup,” freshman Melanie Jacoby said, “I like the taste of it warm, cozy, and festive.” The pleasant, acclaimed Pumpkin Spice Latte, has become a part of the fall season with its popularity and symbolism of joy for the fall season. The final rating, 10/10.
Quality/Pricing: The latte ranks in second place with one of the highest priced drinks on the fall menu.
As we approach the lovely fall season, embrace all autumnal things and relax with a homely drink. To help with that, a pumpkin flavored coffee —hot or cold— can assist that. Say goodbye to the balmy days of summer and say hello to the chilly fall air.
