SA’s Favorite Fall Drinks!

September 27, 2017

Two of our staff members, Naomi and Trae, went on a hunt to find the best fall coffee/tea drinks in Lynchburg. Read below for their take on chai, pumpkin, and all your other favorite local drinks of the season!

Nomad Coffee Company

The Great Pumpkin – pumpkin pie macchiato 

Naomi: Maybe you love pumpkin, but you can’t get on the PSL train. If that’s the case, this might just be the drink for you! Nomad offers a fun spin on the classic pumpkin spice latte that showcases the espresso with the perfect pumpkin undertone. The best part? Nomad is available to you with just the swipe of a flames pass at every football game! Does it get any better than that?!

Pumpkin Chai-aLeBouf – espresso / pumpkin chai latte

Trae: If you are a fan of fall and all of the pumpkin-flavored food and drink options that come with it, then this tea is definitely worth the try. The Pumpkin Chai-aLeBouf tastes like pumpkin pie with a foamy cool whip. I was speechless after trying this drink – I’d prefer this over a pumpkin spice latte any day!

Third Wave

Pumpkin Spice Latte –  pumpkin latte with cinnamon, nutmeg,
and allspice 

N: Quick shout out to Third Wave for always being there for me and never letting me down. This PSL is as genuine as your grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie. As usual, Third Wave creates a one of a kind drink using house-made ingredients paired with the perfect spices. Make sure to stop by Third Wave next time you’re in Forest to experience the quintessence of fall.

Cardamom Chai Latte – chai with house-made cardamom syrup

T: This drink is a great alternative that is perfect for those who aren’t the biggest fans of chai tea. Third Wave makes the cardamom chai latte with subtle ginger undertones. It is a classic latte with light flavoring, making every sip taste remind you that fall shouldn’t ever have to end!

Bean Tree Cafe

Spirit of the Mountain – mocha, hazelnut, and maple latte 

N: Every LU student knows that Bean Tree is the place to study when you need to get off campus. After a few pumpkin spice lattes, I’m ready to change things up. Who’s with me? Grab a Spirit of the Mountain latte and you won’t be disappointed. This drink is as smooth as a drive through the Blue Ridge parkway and as light as fresh mountain air.

Harvest Chai – chai latte with pumpkin

T: Looking for a fall drink that you can buy with your flames cash? If yes, then Bean Tree has the perfect drink for you. The Harvest Chai has the perfect mixture of cinnamon and pumpkin, making it a great alternative to the pumpkin spice latte. This is a drink that I’ll be getting again.

The White Hart

Little Bear Cappuccino – cinnamon and honey latte 

N: Less is more. The Little Bear Cappuccino is another fun yet simple substitute for the never-ending wave of pumpkin that is fall. I’m a huge cappuccino advocate as they have less milk than lattes, which allows the espresso to shine. This drink is sweet and simple with just the slightest accent of cinnamon and honey.

Caramel Spiced Chai – caramel chai latte

T: If you’re in the small crowd that doesn’t like pumpkin spice, then this is a great fall drink for you. The caramel spiced chai has bold flavors of chai paired with warm caramel. To top it off, this drink has just the right amount of cinnamon to give it that warm fall feeling.

The Muse

Harvest Latte – pumpkin spice and vanilla latte 

N: You can never go wrong at The Muse. This not-so-spicy latte includes pumpkin and vanilla – possibly the greatest dynamic duo of all time. This blend of flavors creates the perfect combination of creamy and cozy. It’s perfect for any fall day!

Pumpkin Chai – pumpkin chai latte

T: If you want to give Christmas in a Cup a short break, then you should try a Pumpkin Chai. Unlike other pumpkin chai teas, this one has a smoother taste because it doesn’t have as much cinnamon in it. This drink is perfect for you if you want to try a pumpkin drink that’s different from the classic pumpkin spice latte.