How did we ever survive before the pumpkin spice latte? Something about that curious blend of espresso, steamed milk, and pumpkin almost makes the impending winter weather worth it. And it’s around this time of year that coffee shops start rolling out a menagerie of festive flavors to delight your senses. Why don’t you give that coffee maker on your counter a rest and try something new?
From maple and brown sugar to gourds galore, these fall lattes are sure to shake up your morning routine.
Commonwealth Joe
Founded in 2016 by mother-and-son duo Julia and Robert Peck, every element of their Pentagon City roastery is curated in pursuit of the perfect cup. Try the spiced peanut butter latte, a warming blend of creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, and seasonal spices. In close second, the pumpkin cookie butter latte is a confectionary combo of pumpkin spice and cookie butter sauce. Last but not least, the brown sugar sage latte is the perfect herbal accent for a fall foliage stroll. 520 12th St. S., Ste. 150, Arlington
CAFEIN
CAFEIN is rolling out the red carpet for fall with a craft coffee twist. Try the pumpkin float with cold brew coffee and housemade pumpkin cream, frothed to order every time. Or go for the pumpkin cinnamon latte with a double shot of CAFEIN Blend espresso. Pro tip: Order it with housemade oat milk. And if you like things sweeter, the butterscotch latte — a beverage the team spent years perfecting — will satisfy any sweet tooth. 14106 Lee Hwy., Centreville; 13924 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly
Rare Bird Coffee
Horchata is already delicious, but add a double shot of espresso, and you’ve got a match made in heaven. The team at Rare Bird uses a traditional Mexican recipe for their housemade horchata, blending rice milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of sweetened condensed milk. 230 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Doubles Café & Bar
Take a seat inside the elegantly designed café or relax with your favorite book on the patio at this stylish neighborhood spot. And while you’re there, be sure to try the lavender mint latte, a sumptuous pairing of espresso, real lavender, and fresh mint that is downright delectable. Or shake it up and get the turmeric golden milk latte, made with a blend of turmeric and other seasonal spices and combined with your favorite milk. We recommend pairing it with a gluten-free, super-seeded breakfast blondie. 3118 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Weird Brothers Coffee
Nitro cold brew has taken the coffee world by storm in recent years. The process involves infusing regular cold brew coffee with nitrogen gas to create a naturally sweetened, velvety smooth elixir. And this fall, Weird Brothers Coffee is serving a fresh take on the ubiquitous beverage: flapjack nitro. Made by blending white chocolate sauce with maple syrup and a touch of half-and-half, you’ll want to check out this seriously scrumptious beverage before it disappears. Although Weird Brothers has three convenient locations in NoVA, we recommend visiting the original roastery location in Herndon. 321 Sunset Park Dr., Herndon
Coldspoon Coffee
The folks over at Coldspoon Coffee believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the flavors of fall, even if you’re trying to cut out caffeine. That’s why they make their pumpkin spice latte caffeine-free, with housemade pumpkin sauce, seasonal spice, and the milk of your choice. Order the seasonal pumpkin spice Greek yogurt bowl with your coffee for an Instagram-worthy pairing. 20789 Great Falls Plz., Ste. 106, Sterling
Feature image of Pumpkin Cinnamon Latte courtesy CAFEIN
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