4 Seasons, 4 Coffees
We all have our coffee go-to. The coffee made with our eyes still closed first thing in the morning. It is simple. It is tasty. It gets the job done. Every so often, however, the chance for something better comes along. Yes, I am a Starbucks girl. In my defense, I live in a small town. There aren’t any coffee shops within safe walking distance. My friends enjoy Starbucks. I go where they go.
I don’t get out much. When I walk into a Starbucks and smell dark roast, my mood instantly lightens. It is Christmas and presents and love and joy all wrapped in one tumbler. At home, I make my coffee the same way every morning. At Starbucks, however, all bets are off. I don’t worry about calories. I laugh at skim milk. Sugar is celebrated! Small portions do not exist. When I walk into a Starbucks, I know exactly what I want and how to order it — no matter if it is snowing, raining, windy, or sunny out those coffee shop windows.
Iced dirty chai latte when the robins fly back to the Midwest
· The order: Grande lightly iced chai tea latte made breve with 2 shots of espresso
The Dirty Chai is a change up from the rest of my seasonal drinks. Where the brown sugar oatmilk lattes, the pumpkin spice lattes, and the chestnut praline lattes are solid in flavor and taste bud beauty, the chai concentrate is a spice filled blend of black tea which uses cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, cloves and other spices. The concentrate is sweetened with sugar and honey. I don’t like an overly sweet drink so adding the 2 shots cuts the sweet taste. The espresso mixes perfectly with the spicy chai flavors. The breve (half and half) creates a smooth experience.
Iced Shaken brown sugar oatmilk while the popsicles melt
· The order: Grande lightly iced quad shot Brown sugar oatmilk latte with a splash of sweet cream and if there’s any remaining room fill it with more oatmilk
The brown sugar oatmilk latte is new-ish to Starbucks. When Starbucks introduced it, people, myself included, fell in love. Yes, it is a heavy drink for Midwestern summers, but it’s like eating a perfect oatmeal cookie while drinking a perfect coffee all at once.
Iced Pumpkin spice latte while carving pumpkins
· The order: Venti lightly iced quad shot pumpkin spice latte made breve with whipped cream but with only 4 pumps pumpkin syrup instead of the usual 6
Yes, I am a basic girl. In my defense, I love all things pumpkin and always have. I don’t limit my pumpkin love to Starbucks. Pumpkin pie shakes from Culvers are amazing. My local restaurant serves pumpkin roll French toast which is mind bogglingly delicious. Pumpkin cream pie from Baker’s Square is the pie on the table and should be served before dinner. Pumpkin ice cream from Oberweis is flavorful and creamy. My entire world turns to pumpkin as soon as that first “thought-fall” leaf floats down past my window.
Iced Chestnut praline Latte when decorating the tree
· The order: Venti lightly iced quad shot Chestnut praline latte made breve with whip
Chestnut praline syrup is the king of kings, top rated most perfect syrup according to my taste buds. I don’t get extra syrup, but I don’t cut back like I do with the spiced pumpkin. The blending of the chestnut praline and the extra shots of espresso combine to create the perfect ratio of nutty to dark coffee flavor. This is my favorite drink out of the four. Starbucks doesn’t sell their chestnut praline as retail syrup. This fact only makes me appreciate it all the more in the brief season of holiday love we share.
At the end of a Starbucks day
Life is just a little more special on the days I get to go out with friends and family and order one of my seasonal drinks. I know it will be a while before I am out again so I nurse my drink for as long as I can. The laughter with those I am with, the coffee smell in the car on the ride home, the music on the radio — there aren’t many moments which are better.
