Leaves Are Beginning to Change
Starbucks Returns Their Fall Menu
Starbucks’ iconic fall menu returned across stores globally on Aug 25, 2026, and it came back better than ever. In fall of 2003, Starbucks introduced their pumpkin spice latte, which started a cultural trend: customers now view their first annual pumpkin spice latte as the beginning of fall. Starbucks is featuring 14 drinks on their menu this year, bringing back old favorites and introducing new options.
The two most popular drinks on the fall menu are the pumpkin spice latte and the pumpkin cream chai latte.
“The pumpkin spice latte is fire,” junior Dawson Dean said.
The pumpkin cream chai latte has a reputation at Starbucks for tasting like a desert and having a thick layer of creamy pumpkin cold foam on top. This drink is so popular during fall because instead of blending pumpkin into the entire drink, the only pumpkin is solely in the cold foam. This combines the black chai tea with the cold foam as you drink it, which is different from other coffee shops that mix pumpkin throughout the entire drink.
“My favorite item is the pumpkin chai latte,” sophomore Ally Fasig said. “It feels like fall.”
In addition to these favorites, Starbucks’ new addition of three banana bread themed drinks and the new Chaider have gained significant attention from the media. The Chaider mixes the popular Strawberry Acai Refresher with chai tea, creating a unique taste. However, fans have reported dissatisfaction with the drink, discouraging others from spending money to buy it.
The menu also brings back fall food staples, such as the pumpkin cream cheese muffin, hedgehog cake pop and the chicken bacon protein.
“My favorite item is the cake pop because it reminds me of my childhood,” junior Cooper Moninger said.
The seasonal menu brings back memories of fall and officially switches Starbucks from a tropical vacation vibe to a cozy coffee shop again. This menu will last until early November before it is replaced by the winter menu.
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