Autumn is in the air. Leaves are falling from the trees, apples are ready to be picked, and coffee shops everywhere are releasing their fall drinks.  We have tried some of the newest drinks from cafes in the Shorewood/Milwaukee area and are ready to tell you the yucks and yums of these beverages.

Stone Creek

MAPLE UBE LATTE:

Just down the block, you can head over to Stone Creek Coffee and try this variation of the classic latte. The blend of the bitter espresso, sweet maple, and nutty ube creates an interesting and delicious flavor experience. Despite the bitterness, the aftertaste isn’t unpleasant. It’s unique and leaves you wanting to take sip after sip. And, while the maple-ube combo may not be for everyone, avid coffee drinkers are likely to love this latte. You can get this drink hot or iced, and both variations are equal in quality and flavor profile. We have gone back to get it again multiple times after trying it the first time. This would fit perfectly on Stone Creek’s menu year round. 8.5/10

MAPLE UBE SWEET FOAM CHAI:

Also at Stone Creek is the outstanding Maple Ube Sweet Foam Chai, listed as a staff favorite for good reason. This drink can be ordered iced or hot, and marries the earthy, sweet Filipino dessert with the familiar warmth of chai and a rich maple flavor. From the first sip, the sweet foam adds an almost cloud-like texture that perfectly complements the spiced chai lying below. The chai itself, a consistent highlight of Stone Creek’s regular menu, is wonderfully spiced, and the maple adds a smooth, caramelized sweetness. The slightly nutty flavor of the ube prevents it from tipping into the overly-sweet territory, though it is occasionally overshadowed by the other bolder flavors. Additionally, we would like to have tasted more of the delicious sweet foam, which (unavoidably) ends up sticking to the lid, preventing it from integrating throughout. This can leave the rest of the drink feeling a little thin. Overall, though, the drink is creative and satisfying, and definitely something we will continue to enjoy throughout this fall season. 8/10

BUTTERSCOTCH LATTE:

This vegan-friendly latte boasts house-made butterscotch syrup, brown sugar, coconut oil, and cream of coconut, and certainly has its moments. The coconut base contains a creamy sweetness, while the brown sugar adds rich depth. However, the coconut flavor tends to dominate, detracting from the classic buttery essence that makes butterscotch so distinctive. The drink ends up being a little off-balance, with the butterscotch taking a backseat to the coconut. Hot, the latte is comforting but can be a bit heavy. Iced, it fares better, with the temperature helping keep the coconut oil from being too rich, though the flavors still don’t fully harmonize. Overall, the drink is enjoyable, but may miss the mark for fans of the true butterscotch taste. 6/10

Colectivo

HOT SPICED APPLE CIDER:

Though it is a classic fall drink, apple cider isn’t always easy to get right. It’s gotta have the right amount of spices and apple saturation or you’ve just got warm apple juice, and no one wants that. Colectivo’s rendition hits this mark perfectly. The temperature is perfect and the warmth fills you up inside. It’s sure to protect against the chilly autumn weather that is upon us. You can taste hints of cinnamon and nutmeg spices that mix in with the apple wonderfully. The only thing that would make this drink better is if they were to make it a bit thicker-maybe by adding some caramel-since that would add an extra layer of comfort to this beverage. Despite that critique, this is one of the best apple-ciders available in the Milwaukee area. 9/10

CRANBERRY APPLE CIDER  SPRITZ:

This iced, elegant seltzer-based drink mixes Colectivo’s classic apple cider blend mentioned above and cranberry syrup in sparkling water. While you can definitely taste both the cranberry and apple, the seltzer definitely overpowers the drink so it’s more like a La Croix than a craft soda. We personally expected it to be more like the latter, so the drink itself was frankly disappointing. With a fall drink, you want more flavor because fall is about drenching your senses in the sights and smells. This spritz doesn’t have that captivating autumn flavor that other fall drinks, specifically Colectivo, normally has. Though if you’re looking for a milder flavor, this drink will be perfect to satisfy your fall drink needs. 3/10

PUMPKIN FLUFF LATTE:

Hot, Colectivo’s Pumpkin Fluff Latte is a comforting delight to savor on a brisk afternoon while the leaves spiral around you. Iced, it is a refreshing complement to the lingering warmth of early Wisconsin fall. The marshmallow fluff floats atop the drink before gradually merging with the espresso. The result is a silky, near-velvet texture that is creamy but not overpoweringly rich. As you sip, the first flavor to hit the palate is pumpkin pie spice, warming the throat without blocking out the bitter espresso, which grounds the sweetness of the fluff. This drink is almost perfect, but the fluff does tend to melt too quickly in the hot version, making the latter half of the drink somewhat lacking in texture. When the fluff dissolves, the taste is a sweeter-than-expected finish that somewhat overshadows the espresso. Ordering the iced version helps, but it can lead to uneven sweetness, and some sips being far richer than others. Stirring helps, but this, of course, breaks the delicate aesthetic of the foam on top, and who wants that?! Despite this, the drink is a must-try for both the pumpkin spice faithful and those looking for a fresh take on the classic latte. 8.5/10

Pilcrow

Just over in Milwaukee on West Walnut Street, Pilcrow grinds their beans and makes their syrup for their fall menu from scratch! We tried two of these beverages, themed after the male protagonists in the famous Twilight series.

BELLA, WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN LOCA:

The name of this beverage immediately catches your attention as it references the famous quote from The Twilight Saga: New Moon. This drink is a hot or iced latte with comforting caramel mocha sauce, topped off with latte foam and graham cracker wolf ears. The caramel flavor is delicious, authentic, and seems to just melt in your mouth. The taste is so full that it truly feels like you’re drinking the embodiment of autumn leaves. Additionally, the graham cracker ears pair very well with the drink when you dip them in. Jacob, where the hell have you been latte?! 9/10

SKIN OF A KILLER:

This drink, based on vampire heart throb Edward Cullen, combines classic cold brew coffee with a marshmallow juniper syrup and is topped off with cold foam and edible glitter, hence the name. While we were hesitant at first, this drink had no right being as splendid as it was. The theming was on point and the marshmallow syrup tasted so real that we couldn’t help but to guzzle this drink down. While you can definitely taste the marshmallow more than the coffee, it’s not fitting as opposed to overpowering. The only thing that would make this drink better is if it were available hot, though that wouldn’t fit with the cold, vampiric, aesthetic the beverage adheres to. It really is the perfect, spooky autumn drink to sip as you cozy up to watch your favorite Halloween movie. Sorry not sorry Jacob, Team Edward takes the cake on this one. 10/10

Don’t miss out on your chance to try some of these exciting fall drinks. You’ve been studying hard, involved in extracurriculars, or maybe working to make that bank. Treat yourself to a cozy beverage, a scary movie, and a walk under the autumn leaves.