Now by and large I’m pretty old school when it comes to my coffee. I make it at home most days, but if I’m at Starbucks, I usually order a grande Pike Place, and then I’ll doctor it myself with some Equal and some half and half. I like that ordering a plain cup of coffee means that I can get out of the Starbucks for only one American dollar and some change, but if I’m feeling wild and crazy I’ll order a Cafe’ Latte or a Cafe’ Americano – even though I cringe a little bit when my coffee costs more than three dollars and THEY DON’T EVEN GIVE ME A BISCUIT.
Well.
Earlier this afternoon I was checking the Twitter, and my friend Fran mentioned that she was craving a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. Since I was with my friend Leigh when she ordered a pumpkin spice latte this past weekend, Fran’s comment (I know that I’m supposed to say “tweet” – but I just. can’t.) made me Officially Curious. Because I’ve never had a pumpkin spice latte, you see. And I wondered if I was missing out on some sort of coffee phenomenon.
Well.
I replied (TWEETED. WHATEVER.) to Fran and confessed the absence of the pumpkin spice latte in my life (by the way, the name of that drink gets SUPER tiresome when you’ve typed it for the fourth time), and Shannon, who’s a friend of my friend Annie (feel free to re-read that last part – interweb connections can be very, well, webby), chimed in and told me that I have not lived until I’ve tried the pumpkin spice latte.
Now I don’t know about y’all, but reading that I haven’t lived until I’ve tried something makes me feel a certain sense of urgency. An urgency that’s coupled with an unmistakable pumpkin-y craving.
I didn’t go by Starbucks after Pumpkin Spice Latte Alert ’09 because I have finally started to figure out that when I drink coffee in the afternoons, I – get a load of this – HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING AT NIGHT, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. But I still spent almost all of my supper-cooking time thinking about the PSL (I WILL NOT TYPE THOSE WORDS AGAIN) and how specific our coffee preferences have become. I mean, when I was growing up and we were in a restaurant and my mama wanted a cup of coffee, do you know what she ordered?
A CUP OF COFFEE.
There was no tall-nonfat-caramel-macchiato-extra-whip-double-shot-extra-hot business. And there was certainly no trace of, you know, PUMPKIN. It was just coffee. If you were lucky the waitress would throw some of those little cream containers at you when she walked past your table.
Anyway, while I was cooking supper I also started to think about how much coffee-related minutiae I have stored in my brain, and oh my word, it’s A LOT. For example, I know that my husband is a venti Pike Place, three Equals and nonfat milk. Sister is a venti Pike OR Cafe’ Americano with just a splash of half and half. Melanie is a grande non-fat mocha latte no whip. Janie is a grande skinny vanilla latte. Approximately fourteen of my friends pledged undying devotion to the salted caramel hot chocolate last winter. And I could go on with lo, even more examples, but I’ll stop right now since I know this information is ABSOLUTELY RIVETING.
So, internet, given the fact that I haven’t tried the pumpkin spice latte (okay. I caved. I typed it again.), and given the fact that it might very well be time for me to broaden my specialty coffee drink horizons, I’m going to ask you a question of critical international importance:
What is your very favorite drink to order in a coffee shop?
(And it doesn’t have to be at Starbucks. I know that some of you are incredibly fond of your Tim Hortons coffee. Some of you love the coffee from Dunkin Donuts. Some of you favor a local place. Some of you prefer hot tea. So please know that all coffee shop vendors and their respective beverage options are welcome here.)
(I just felt like I needed to clarify.)
(What with my annoying tendency to overexplain and all.)
Love,
Pumpkin Spice Latte-less in Alabama
aka
Me
October 20th, 2009 at 5:33 am
This happens to me every year… I step up to the Starbuck’s counter and see those famous words and cute picture on the bulletin board and I instantly get giddy. I know it’s PSL time, which means fall is just around the corner and that makes me happy. This year I enjoyed my first PSL at the beach! Of all places. It was like fall and summer collided right before me. But truthfully and if I’m being honet, I like the thought of a PSL, but I really don’t like the actual drink. I even went back and paid another 4.00 just to make sure. But, I still didn’t like it. I like the smell and thought of it, but not the taste. It was a sad day. So, I’ve let go of the fantasy and I went back to my tried and true love… Dunkin Donuts. I’m really a freak about DD. I LOVE IT!!! I buy it by the truck load and it is my coffee of choice. But, this morning I’m excited because a new place opened up in my town and it’s called The Dutch Monkey Doughnut. They make everything from scratch and have some pretty niffy named doughnuts like Buttered Maple Bacon, Grandpa’s Honey Bun and Apple Cider Cake. I’ve been waiting for weeks for this place to open. And they sell illy coffee, which I hear is mighty fine. So, as soon as I get us up and dressed I’m headed out to try a new doughnut and new coffee. This could be a red letter day or a bust. Not sure, but either way I’m expanding my coffee horizons and I’ve taken up way too much space on your blog :o)
Lara
October 20th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Doesn’t matter the flavor or brand – just give me coffee! I’ll even drink (gasp!) instant if that’s all that is available. But I’m not addicted or anything…
October 20th, 2009 at 6:15 am
I am not a daily coffee drinker. I do not make coffee at home, so I am not sure how much my opinion counts. However, I was in Target the other day and ours happens to have a Starbucks. I tried the Pumpkin Spice Latte and it was delicious!!! I was in Target so long I considered going back to get another one. If it wasn’t for the almost $4 for a “tall”, I would have. Definately more of a treat than a daily habit for me!
October 20th, 2009 at 6:16 am
The only thing that beats the PSL is a Starbucks Gingerbread Latte. I wait every year for it to come onto the menu, then drink it about 3 times weekly until Christmas. It really helps put me in the holiday spirit (essential in Florida when it’s usually about 80 degrees on the days leading up to Christmas–my only “white Christmas” is the whip cream on that latte….).
October 20th, 2009 at 6:27 am
I love the PSL, but my absolute favorite is a Venti Chai Latte. Hot in the fall and winter months and iced in the spring and summer. All that spicey-steamy tea goodness just makes my heart sing and my pennies disappear.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:27 am
Mmmm! Coffee!
My favorite from Starbucks: White Chocolate Mocha. So yummy any time of year!
If I’m at home, I prefer Community coffee, with milk. But will settle for whatever I grab at the commissary because they don’t have Community. I really like French Vanilla creamer if I’m at home.
OR add some chocolate syrup in your coffee and some whip cream! YUM!! ;)
Grown-up Hot Chocolate!
October 20th, 2009 at 6:27 am
The Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks that should be there any day along with their holiday cups. That’s how I know it’s officially the holiday season:) Otherwise, a skinny Cinnamon Dolce latte – iced, please;) Or a cup of coffee. Just a good, old cup of coffee!
October 20th, 2009 at 6:35 am
Last year I was SO in love with the PSL. This year, not so much. The syrup they used left my mouth feeling funny and it just didn’t taste as good. Bummer.
I’m a SAHM and do my coffee drinkin’ at home. My 2 new loves are International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer and International Delight Hershey’s Chocolate Caramel Creamer. All that delish, make me want to swoon, make it my way when I want, yummy-ness without all the $$ or even leaving the house ~sigh… contentment :) ~
October 20th, 2009 at 6:44 am
You have to try the “PSL”! This was my first year experiencing it and it is awesome. Dunkin Doughnuts even makes a pretty decent one, not quite Starbucks but a really close second if you are picking yourself up, I mean the kids up some doughnuts.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:44 am
After years of pretending that I like coffee, I finally convinced myself that life is too short and that I should just order that Hot Apple Cider I so love. Now I’m happy and I don’t have to pretend anymore. This sort of sounds like an episode right out of daytime television.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:46 am
The PSL didn’t rock my world so much. I’m boring…venti skinny vanilla latte. :)
October 20th, 2009 at 6:48 am
I don’t drink coffee often at all, but I do like an Iced Caramel Macchiato. Whenever I go somewhere that sells coffee I normally just get a Vanilla Steamer (which I actually hate that name so I just say, a warm vanilla milk!).
October 20th, 2009 at 6:48 am
My absolute favorite coffee drink of anyplace is the Blueberry Crumble coffee with cream and sugar from Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. Close second is the coffee I brew at home from the Blueberry Morning beans I buy at Gloria Jean’s (I put in cream and sugar). And an even closer third is the regular coffee at Dunkin Donuts with Blueberry Syrup with cream and sugar.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:49 am
I’m a Caribou Coffee girl, and they USED to make this delicious creation called a VaVa Vanilla. When I continued to order it years after they stopped making it, I learned that it was simply a Vanilla Latte with whip and vanilla syrup on top. So, I guess my short answer is a vanilla latte with whip. The syrup is not crucial.
Also – try a decaf if you have a hankering in the evening… I have a crazy (and I do mean that literally) reaction to caffeine at any time of day, so I always drink decaf.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Oh, and if ever there was an election where my choices were the PSL or the GingerBread Latte (though I think they went and changed it last year… can’t we just leave things alone, people???) I would definitely vote for the GBL, if such a thing still exists.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:53 am
You wanna hear something crazy? I don’t drink coffee at all. None. Ever. I love the smell, love the color, love the social aspect of it. I want to drink it…but I just can’t stand the taste!
October 20th, 2009 at 6:54 am
In times gone by (i.e., a couple of years ago), I too was a PSL devotee. However, last year I made the horrible, traumatic mistake of ordering both a PSL and a pumpkiny-cream-cheesey muffin at Starbucks. In the same order.
Pardon me while I shiver and contort my face in a very unflattering way.
IT WAS TOO MUCH PS. WAAAAAAY TOO MUCH. Heed my warning: No matter how tempted you are by all the glorious, seasonally-appropriate, pumpkiny spicy goodness, DO NOT ORDER BOTH.
As for me, I can’t drink PSLs anymore. I opt for the peppermint mocha whenever it’s an option… and a decaf caramel macchiato (no caramel on top) the rest of the year.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:02 am
I don’t drink coffee at all, and I have a real problem with $4 for fancy beverages, but come the holidays, the occasional small (calling it “tall” is stupid, although a kind man at the Starbucks explained to me that a tall is a small because the old small isn’t the small anymore and they added the venti oh my word, how do I know this much about a company I hate?) peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks hits the spot.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Grande nonfat caramel macchiato, but I’ve pretty much sworn off Starbucks unless I have a gift card or someone else is paying. Can’t afford it so much. I am pretty much happy with a cuppa Folgers. :)
October 20th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Soy Chai Latte, extra hot because I’m a sipper and want it to stay hot!
(it’s THE BEST at Carabou Coffee, but Starbucks is pretty darn tootin also)
and
White Mocha, extra hot, from Starbucks
October 20th, 2009 at 7:03 am
decaf mocha, extra mocha, extra hot made with 2%, with whipped cream.
it’s ridiculous that a coffee order would be 12 words, but, i love it.
never had the PSL. i don’t risk a starbucks order. it’s too expensive.
my daughter loves the peppermint hot cocoa at holiday time.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Since we’re all putting in our order, I’ll take a grande decaf non-fat vanilla latte.
See, Boo, you can order decaf lattes any time of day and you won’t have that pesky insomnia thing to worry about. Now the only thing that keeps me up is the fact that I just spent 4 bucks on coffee!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:05 am
P.S. My sister likes to order a Dirty Chai. It always make me giggle like a schoolgirl.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:06 am
ohmyword Ialmostforgot the Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks.
(see, I have different favorites for different moods – one’s hot tea, one’s coffee, one’s hot apple cider that would make you slap your mama it’s so good)
October 20th, 2009 at 7:07 am
Can I be honest? I don’t think I have ever actually been INTO a Starbucks. I have hit the drive through a couple of times to pick up gift cards or take my sister but I have never ordered a drink. Please don’t shun me;)
My favorite drink is the spiced tea my mom makes. First cold snap my sisters and I are all calling for the receipe. We do this every year. You would think we would write it down but then that would take away the joy of calling mamacita!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I have never been a coffee drinker, but I heard so many good things about the PSL that I had to try it. Now I have had 3 in the past week..mmm…it is really good…I think I have turned into a coffee drinker! Well at least coffe with lots of milk and pumpkin spice!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:11 am
My retired parents go the Starbucks pretty much every day. It is their one luxury seeing that they are frugal about everything else. They get the same thing every time and every time my mom pulls a notebook out of her purse and hands it to my dad. On the page is her order written out because she wants to make sure it is ordered correctly. Heaven forbid someone mess with her coffee!
My order-Grande Raspberry Mocha!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:14 am
I am not at all a coffee drinker unless my husband makes it which means it’s more cream and sugar than coffee, and even then I don’t want more than a couple sips. I have tried the PSL though and it’s quite delicious!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:15 am
I might give in…I don’t know. I haven’t ordered the PSL either. I like a cinnamon dolce latte when I get a good tip from doing a massage, I’ll splurge some.
But I love a cup of good ol’ coffee. I’m a little nervous about tasting pumpkin in my coffee after carving one. :)
Went to a cute little shop in Old Towne Helena last week, had a plain cup & it was pretty good!! It’s a cute place inside.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Well, since I’m not a coffee drinker… the chai tea latte is always my favorite. Although, I do always have at least one pumpkin spice latte during the year. It truly can’t be missed!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:18 am
I’ll take a coke please. Love the smell of coffee. Hate to drink the stuff. BLECH!!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Dunkin’s regular coffee with two splendas and double cream. Oh yeah…
Never tried the PSL myself. Pumpkin? In coffee? Hmmm…
October 20th, 2009 at 7:21 am
I love the Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks during the Christmas Season, but any other day of the year, my favorite is a skinny Vanilla Latte!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Mine is PSL. I was in the Kansas City airport on Sunday and guess what they were out of? PS but not L. How do you run out of PS?
October 20th, 2009 at 7:24 am
For me, it is hot tea! Several cups a day! And to top it off, I recently found out that my hub makes the BESTEST EVER cup for me! I will occasionaly change course and get a latte or capp while we are out. Good Ol’ Lipton is my BFF though!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Pumpkin Spice Latte, all the way. It’s. To. Die. For. But, when it’s not Fall…I am a Grande Soy White Chocolate Mocha.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:30 am
White Chocolate Mocha no whip here…only from Starbucks. I’m not a big fan of plain ol’ coffee…I like the fancy stuff. We will see if that changes when I become a mom next month. :)
October 20th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Tall-non-fat pumpkin spice latte-no whip. That’s my MOST favorite. But sometimes I like to get a tall-non-fat-chai.
YOU MUST TRY THE PSL. Seriously delicious.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:36 am
My husband’s favorite and ONLY is Starbuck’s White Chocolate Mocha. I usually order a Caramel Macchiatto. My nine year old loves Starbucks and when permitted orders like her dad. When not permitted she stands in the doorway and breathes deeply!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Pumpkin Spice Latte’s make my heart very, very happy! You must try one immediately…they are life changing!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:36 am
you are not alone. i, too, have never had a PSL.
maybe we should start some sort of support group.
i heart the non-fat peppermint mocha at christmas. WITH whipped cream because did you know it comes with PEPPERMINT WHIPPED CREAM?
there is a god and he is GOOD!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:37 am
BooMama,
If its available, my drink is a grande PSL – with extra syrup – or as I like to say a grande PSL with “extra pumpkin goodness” :o) If its not available, I’ll take a grande skinny carmel latte or frappucino(depending on the time of year). But my nearest SB is 150 miles away, and so alas, I can only dream of these drinks today…
October 20th, 2009 at 7:41 am
How do you know Tim Hortons??? The Tim Horton’s franchise in Canada is what the Star Spangled Banner is to Americans. It is a quintessential part of our identity. (I know we all need counselling!!) Seriously – we make commercials about its Canadian-ess, we send it to our troops complete with the vintage mugs… There is a language surrounding it – Going for a “Timmies” run before church, Lets head to Tims, as well as the March Roll up the rim to win game that leaves our land littered with coffee cups with “sorry try again” under the rim taunting them to give into the habit…
I however, love me a good Starbucks Pike Place brewed at home strong & black or a Starbucks Espresso Chocolate Latte for a real treat – better than dessert! (That admission could be grounds for Treason for a Canadian girl-shh)
October 20th, 2009 at 7:42 am
I’m easy to please. Chic-Fil-A SENIOR decaf – free! Or I might feel like splurging – McDonald’s SENIOR decaf – 54 cents.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:42 am
I must be un-American or something. I too heard of the yummy deliciousness that is the Pumpkin Spice Latte. When I was in Boston last week it was a goal of mine to buy one. We do have a Starbucks here in Tuscaloosa, but I have 3 kids and buying coffee with 3 kids 3 years old and under can be quite the task. While in Boston I only had 1 kid..so much easier. Anyway, I digress, I bought the coveted PSL and I’m sorry to say I threw 3/4 of it in the trash. I just didn’t care for it. I was on a quest to find something GOOD at Starbucks and the interwebs came to my rescue. White Chocolate Mocha and Caramel Macciato where the clear winners. I’m still open to more expensive delicious coffee advice though.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Hot chocolate. Coffee is yucky. But! If it would taste anything like the beans do, I would be sold. Unfortunately, it doesn’t.
Anyhow, Starbucks does make rockin’ little treats. The lemon squares. The little thin cookies in the cupcake paper near the register. The chocolate chip. See, where I don’t drink the coffee there, I do donate to their cause and consume many calories anyhow.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:44 am
I have never had a PSL. I have a feeling that, no, just not a good idea.
If I have money or someone else is buying, I love a grande dry cappuccino, for here. Otherwise, I either get an Americano with room (I drink it black but I like it strong), or just a simple espresso.
But in the summer, when it’s hot and I want a little sweetness? Ready? It’s complicated. An iced doppio with ONE PUMP of vanilla, and then I add in my own milk at the little bar. Because if you order an iced vanilla latte, they add way too much syrup and milk. This is supposed to be coffee, not sweet coffee-flavoured milk. And yes I do have strong opinions on the subject! ;)
October 20th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I just tried the Pumpkin Spice for the first time and fell in LOVE!!!!!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:47 am
No thanks to the coffee. I have tried the Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks…so if I go (rarely) with friends/girls night out, I’ll usually go for that.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:53 am
For sure, without a doubt, Starbucks Gingerbread Latte. You HAVE to try it!! The PSL is good, but this is a million times better. In fact, I’ve been craving one for so long that I tweeted the other day wondering when it was going to come out this year and thankfully I have many friends who work at Starbucks who tweeted back that it would be out November 3rd. So mark your calendars!! (I did!!) You’ve got to try it!