Our calendars mark Sept. 22 as the first day of fall, but devout Starbucks customers know that fall really begins when the first pumpkin drink is sold. Whether it’s the flavor or aesthetic, Starbucks fall drinks always find their way into our hands and cup holders, but their increasing popularity is consequently increasing their price. A grande Pumpkin Spice Latte costs $4.95 without customizing it, and an additional shot of pumpkin syrup and extra whipped cream can add an additional $2.00 to an order. Long story short, the fall Starbucks menu is terribly overpriced. Thankfully, there are alternative ways to create the same fall drinks with everyday ingredients. 

Caffeine-lovers always default to the classic P.S.L. for chilly fall mornings, but cold fall drinks are gaining popularity for the muggy fall days at the beginning of the fall season. The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, for example, is a great option for a strong iced coffee, but the pumpkin syrup and milky pumpkin foam add a touch of fall. However, its $4.45 price is a big turn-off to customers, even the most desperate caffeine fanatics. Assuming that this fall cold brew continues to appeal to customers, it is likely that the price will continue increasing, too. 

Luckily, ingredients in your kitchen can make a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew for half the Starbucks price. Tried-and-true Keurig coffee with ice makes the perfect blank canvas for your personal iced coffee that you can add a pinch of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or any fall flavor you can dream of. The frothed milk that completes this cold brew, however, is paramount to the entire drink. People experience a light texture that balances out the bitterness from the cold brew, but this cream is simply nothing more than frothed milk and spices. A frother, whisk, or even a fork are all accessible options that can create the spiced cream to top off their homemade Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.

Apple picking is an increasingly popular fall activity that encompasses the entire aesthetic of fall: apple trees, pumpkin patches, hay bales, corn mazes, and of course, apple cider. In recent years, apple cider has gained quite the platform for itself as it is being incorporated into other other foods like apple cider donuts, apple cider vinegar, and even glazes to marinate chicken in. Of course, Starbucks hopped on the trend in recent years when they created the Caramel Apple Spice. This steamed apple cider has an array of fall spices blended into it and shots of caramel syrup add a sweeter flavor to this strong fall drink. Whipped cream and caramel drizzle are an optional addition to this drink.However, a venti Caramel Apple Spice is just about $4.00 which is a bit excessive considering you could make the same drink just as well at home. 

First of all, steaming apple cider is not as hard as it seems. Just put it in a pot on the stove and wait until it boils, and you have steamed apple cider! Smuckers caramel syrup sitting in the back of the fridge works as a perfect substitute for the caramel coffee syrup used at Starbucks, if not better! Caramel syrup creates a thicker consistency for the apple cider, leaving a creamier texture in your mouth. On top of that, Reddi-wip can lighten up any richness left over from the cider. 

Fall drinks are an iconic aspect of “fall aesthetic” in today’s culture, so try these methods in order to hop on the trend!