Fall isn’t just about colorful foliage or holiday feasts—it’s also prime time for spices and cloves to make their way into your daily cup of joe. A Pumpkin Spice Latte might be the first thing that comes to mind, but this season, why not ditch the Starbucks PSL for a PCL (Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte) at Order & Chaos in South Baltimore? Or pick up a warm oat milk honey graham latte, topped with actual toasted marshmallows, at Ceremony Coffee? These are just a few of the seasonal drinks you’ll find at local cafes, where coffee aficionados are whipping up fall creations that will leave you dreaming in hues of orange, yellow, and red.
Apple Butter Latte at Aveley Farms Coffee Roasters
Coffee is king at this Towson roastery, which uses sustainably sourced, locally roasted beans to make delicious brews like the apple butter latte, featuring caramel apple syrup. This season, you can also go for the autumn spice latte, combining spiced maple syrup with cinnamon, espresso, and milk. If you’re really committed to the flavors of fall, top off either of the drinks with the shop’s salted caramel cold foam.
Black Sesame Salted Caramel Latte at Cafe Dear Leon
This Canton cafe sees regular lines out the door for its rotating schedule of baked goods and sandos, but they’re also serving up a delicious fall sip that features black sesame, caramel syrup, and a pinch of Maldon salt for a blend of sweet and savory flavors. If you’re looking for a more familiar drink, they also sell a PSL, which makes use of house pumpkin syrup.
Oat Milk Honey Graham Latte at Ceremony Coffee Roasters
The baristas at Ceremony are always whipping up interesting drinks with fun names, like their new latte version of a s’more dubbed, “Get Toasted.” It’s an oat milk honey graham latte with chocolate, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows. The shop—which operates locations in Harbor Point, Mt. Vernon, and Federal Hill—is also rolling out other fall creations, such as a pumpkin-pie drink called “Pumpkin to Talk About” and “Sweater Weather,” which adds a spiced apple twist to a traditional matcha latte.
Iced Apple Crisp Brown Sugar Latte at David and Dad’s Cafe
Housed in a historic bank building downtown, this grand cafe is the perfect place for hearty breakfast platters, deli sandwiches, and delicious fall drinks. Take a sip of their apple crisp latte, featuring brown sugar and oat milk, or try everything pumpkin with their pumpkin latte, pumpkin chai, and pumpkin cold brew.
Maple Brown Butter Caramel Coffee at Dooby’s
Whether you like lattes, cold brews, or teas, add the Mt. Vernon mainstay’s maple browned-butter caramel syrup to your favorite brew for a kick of rich, warm nuttiness. The cafe also offers a range of seasonal coffee flavors including cardamom spice, brown sugar bourbon, and miso caramel.
Pumpkin Pie Latte at Kitsch Cafe
Alright, so we’ve got the PSL, the PCL, and this cute cafe near the Johns Hopkins University campus is highlighting the PPL (pumpkin pie latte). The drink is the perfect mix of pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, milk, and espresso. If that’s not sweet enough for you, look for their rotating “frappé of the week,” which highlights unique flavors like the Honey Bun Frappé with ice blended honey, caramel, cream, and cold brew.
Pumpkin Cold Brew with Pumpkin Foam at Luna Garden
Can’t get enough pumpkin? This woman-owned Fells Point shop is brewing a pumpkin cold brew with pumpkin-flavored foam on top. Come for the coffee, but stay for the music and fun. Luna Garden is a part-cafe, part-bar, part-event space that serves drinks all day long.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte at Order & Chaos Coffee
If you’re looking for a new spin on a pumpkin drink, try this South Baltimore cafe’s new blend of pumpkin, cheesecake, and coffee for a decadent and rich boost to your day. Another option: the new brown sugar cold brew with maple cinnamon cold foam. Add one of the shop’s signature handheld waffles—they just dropped a seasonal caramel apple pie flavor—to your order for good measure.
Pumpkin Spice Latte at Red Emma’s
Everyone loves a good PSL, but why not order one that uses housemade organic pumpkin spice syrup? At this Waverly worker co-op, sip a warm PSL with a good book from one of the many uniquely-curated shelves.
Iced Oatmeal Cookie Latte at Spoons Cafe & Coffee Roasters
Nothing beats warm cookies and milk on a cold day, and this Federal Hill fave brings the two together in a mug of oat milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon. After your coffee, don’t forget brunch—served all day.
Golden Milk at Vent Coffee Roasters
If you want a break from the caffeine, try the turmeric-based golden milk at Vent inside Union Collective in Hampden, which is made with golden milk powder, macadamia milk, and simple syrup for a homey blend of sugar and spice. Need a buzz? You won’t be disappointed with their other seasonal items like a maple latte, apple crisp latte, and apple chai.
Salted Caramel Chai at Zeke’s Coffee
This local roaster in Lauraville and Pigtown is putting a spin on a classic spiced chai with salted caramel and whipped cream. Come back for more fall “back to school” specials, including a Fluffernutter latte with banana and peanut butter syrup, and a maple white mocha with maple-flavored syrup and white chocolate sauce.