Although waking up to a dark and chilly city is a dreary experience for many, fall mornings are not without their unique perks, one of which is the return of fall flavors at coffee shops!
Unsure where to look for the best drinks? Look no further! Here is a selection of a variety of seasonal drinks close to Pace to enjoy for the next few months.
Blank Street Banana Bread Matcha Latte
Blank Street released a delicious banana bread flavored matcha latte for the fall season. The unique combination of banana, nutmeg, and cinnamon flavors (as described on their menu) creates a comforting flavor that’s not overly sweet. Although it is enjoyable both iced and hot, I found that the flavor is stronger in the iced version. The nearest Blank Street location is on William Street, which is only a short walk away from campus.
Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte
Pumpkin spice is undeniably a key staple of fall flavors. Starbucks incorporates this classic tradition into their chai latte through a delicious pumpkin-flavored cold foam. The hot chai latte also tastes fantastic with the addition of apple syrup or pumpkin sauce, which customers can request by custom ordering online. Both teas pair well with Starbucks’ apple croissant, a perfect doughy pastry topped with a sweet apple jam.
Birch Coffee Fall Spiced Latte
Birch Coffee, located right across the street from the Beekman dorms, offers a uniquely savory blend including ginger, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon to add to your latte. It does, however, have a strong flavor that some may dislike. A perk at Birch Coffee is that they have a punch card rewards system where customers can get a free drink every tenth order.
Playa Bowls Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Although Playa Bowls is well known for their açaí bowls, they also sell delicious cold brew chicory coffee. The pumpkin sweet cream adds a pleasant candy-like taste that offsets the strong chicory coffee in a delightful balance. Playa Bowls also offers themed stickers each month, which adds a fun treat to the experience. This October’s sticker features a surfing skeleton with a pumpkin head enjoying the waves under a full moon circled by bats. You can pair the delicious Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold brew with either their Apple Turn Up açaí bowl, which, according to their Grubhub menu, includes blueberry flax granola, banana, apple slices, apple butter, peanuts, and cinnamon, or Jack O Lantern açaí bowl, which includes pumpkin flax granola, banana, pumpkin butter, and pumpkin spice.
Hi-C Sweet Scream
If you aren’t a fan of coffee or tea, don’t fear! You don’t have to look further than the fountain beverage machines in Pace’s own dining hall in 15 Beekman for a unique Halloween themed beverage. Hi-C’s new “Sweet Scream” drink is fruity and sweet, which puts it in stark contrast to the other traditional flavors of fall available in the other beverages mentioned. Its bright red color is perfect for the spooky season this October.
Overall, the Financial District is home to a variety of coffee shops, the true extent to which could not be covered in a single article. These are just my top choices. Make sure you go out and try them for yourself – especially the banana bread matcha, which is my personal favorite fall drink!