Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice
Our Top 5 Fall Specialty Coffee Drinks in GVL
Team OTGG has done the season’s most important work:
We are more than slightly overly caffeinated and full of sugar, spice, and everything nice, but we have finally narrowed down the dozens of locally made, autumn-inspired coffee specialty drinks to our favorite top 5, with two honorable mentions. You may notice an absence of the most famous of all fall ingredients, and that was deliberate, though we did ingest a lot of pumpkin in the research for this story, because full disclosure – if a PSL-adjacent latte had knocked our socks off, it would have made the cut. But these others really outshone the rest in creativity and flavor.
And, lucky for you, there’s still time to make the rounds and find your favorites, too, before the season changes – but allow us to give you a head start.
Words by: Ariel H. Turner
Images by: Ariel H. Turner and Jackie Shapiro Brooker
Everything But the Pumpkin
The name says it all – fall spices with a kick of bergamot for that peppery flavor without even missing the pumpkin. This one is similar to a dirty chai in terms of profile, if you’re looking for spicy without heat.
By: @junto.coffee
Pecan Latte
This pie in a mug showed up on National Coffee Day, and if that weren’t the best celebration, we are out of other ideas. And who doesn’t love PIE? Sweet and nutty, this one hits the nostalgia feels of family Thanksgiving traditions.
By: @thevillagegrind
Magical Mexican Mocha
Cayenne pepper, mocha, cinnamon, espresso – it’s a full flavor assault that’s packing heat, and we mean that in the best way possible. Not for the spicy-averse, but certainly worth a taste if you’re on the fence. We’re pretty sure we know which side you’ll land on.
By: @staymodal
Image provided by Modal
Spiced Vanilla Cappuccino
First of all, no one ever does a specialty cap anymore. It’s almost like it’s vintage or something. And if that’s the case, all of us loving the 90’s revival taking place can get behind this newest vintage discovery: a cardamom spiced vanilla cap that makes a drive-thru coffee feel like the luxury it is.
Lumberjack Latte
Smoked sea salt in coffee? Hellz yeah, especially with real maple syrup swirled in. This one took us by surprise, and we’re not mad about how much we love that smoky element.
By: @mtngoatgvl
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Cute With It
Steamed cold brew, chocolate, and orange. It’s simple, balanced, and worthy of an honorable mention.
By: @duesouthcoffee
Sweet As A Potato
The most contested latte on the list – because it’s almost savory and not sweet – this one deserves a mention because it’s unique and delicious, though the flavor may not be everyone’s cuppa joe.
By: @cohesive.coffee
Image provided by Cohesive Coffee