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One drink to rule them all?

Fall has officially fallen, and that means a few things: Ugg boots, leggings, flannels and, of course, pumpkin spice everything. Here at the Voice, we’re rather indifferent to seasonal trends like specialty beverages. So, since we’re pretty open to coffee choices, we took the liberty of finding which local coffee shop had the best. Editor’s note: all of the prices listed are for small sizes.

Starbucks—Pumpkin Spice Latte, $3.95
Kristin: This drink is almost too sweet for my liking. The pumpkin flavor is strong, and the frothy nature of this particular beverage leaves a lingering corporate coffee taste. But if you like sweet, warm drinks that leave little to no trace of any coffee flavor, this is your go-to.
Jacob: It’s sweet and fluffy. Too sweet and too fluffy. Way too sweet and way too fluffy. I can’t say I like this very much. I can’t even say I like it at all. I can feel my stomach lining sparkle. Really, its only redeeming quality is its role in making this article exist.

Broken Tree Coffee—Cinnamon Honey Latte, $3
Kristin: While I was somewhat surprised that Broken Tree didn’t have any pumpkin spice flavors when we conducted our taste test, I realized that the coffee shop didn’t need it; they play by their own rules, and they set the bar high. This drink had a stronger coffee flavor (which is definitely my preference), but the mix of honey and cinnamon flavors made for a drink that was not too sweet and not too strong. If you like stronger coffee, definitely try this.
Jacob: This one packs a real nice punch. It’s bitter, but not too bitter. The cinnamon and honey flavors dance together gracefully, while the bitterness takes a wicked guitar solo in this magnificent mélange. I definitely recommend this one if you like a stronger brew.

Thirty-Thirty Coffee Co.—Candied Apple Latte, $3.40
Kristin: Thirty-Thirty has solidified itself as a coffee force to be reckoned with, and this blend makes that perfectly clear. The stronger coffee taste hits your taste buds first, leaving behind an oh-so-pleasant apple aftertaste. I’d like to advocate for this being the apple a day that keeps the doctor away.
Jacob: Thirty-Thirty, you make some tasty coffee drinks. Any sweeter and I would probably hate it, but boy-howdy does this make my taste buds tingle. A slight bitterness really ties this drink together. It’s like biting into a sweet apple with a little coffee bean inside.

Bradley Leaves ‘n Beans—Pumpkin Fluff, $3.75
Kristin: For a pumpkin flavor, this mixture is my ideal. While its pumpkin flavor is not overwhelming, it’s still a prominent flavor above the marshmallow that makes up the “fluff” half. One upside of this drink is that I got more bang for my buck, which is always a plus. This is also just one of many pumpkin flavored drinks that are sold year round at LnB, so you have plenty of options to explore.
Jacob: This drink is one smooth mother. The best way to describe it is as what Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte should have been. The Leaves ‘n Beans Pumpkin Fluff is like Baby Bear’s porridge compared to Starbucks’ Papa Bear porridge: it’s just right. If a pumpkin coffee drink is what you’re looking for, this is the one to get.

Final Thoughts
Kristin: This was definitely a hard choice seeing as I’m a huge proponent for caffeinated beverages. Although I was thoroughly surprised at how good each beverage was, I have to give it up to Leaves ‘n Beans for its Pumpkin Fluff. It’s experimental and festive, but not overbearing—something I can really appreciate. Though I will likely be going back to Thirty-Thirty and Broken Tree to satisfy my thirst for the stronger brews, let’s be real.
Jacob: Aside for Starbucks pumpkin spice latté, there wasn’t a drink of the bunch that I did not like. If I were to pick a favorite, it would have to be Broken Tree’s Cinnamon Honey Latté. The powerful taste really won me over; I’m a black coffee kind of guy, so I may be a bit biased towards a more bitter brew. Leaves ‘n Beans and Thirty-Thirty still made some fantastic seasonal drinks, and I can’t recommend enough to go out and try them all.

One Comment

  1. Kelly sheehan Kelly sheehan October 15, 2014

    This article is way too fun. DiMaggio you’re seriously coming into your writing style and I’m so proud of you! So awesome to see the voice KILLIN’ it.

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