by Vanessa Chiasson
I’ll never forget the first time I made pumpkin spice muffins. I was eleven years old, living in rural Nova Scotia, and my aunt was visiting from Toronto for the summer. At that young age, I was already an enthusiastic baker and whipping up a batch of muffins for a guest was an easy task. It never occurred to me that autumn-y muffins might not be everyone’s preferred flavour in July, but I was eleven and my aunt was gracious.
Little did I realize that I was on the cusp of what would become one of North America’s biggest culinary trends. I was a pumpkin spice girl before there was pumpkin spice!
While I stand by my choice that pumpkin baked goods are delicious, no matter the season, I can’t help but notice that the world has gone pumpkin crazy. We now live in a world with pumpkin spice salmon, kitty litter and cough drops. And lattes.
The pumpkin spice latte (PSL) debuted in 2003—twelve years after my muffins. It’s taken on a life of its own; the wildly-popular drink is rolled out earlier and earlier every year. Who wants to drink hot pumpkin in August? Not me. No wonder so many people are sick and tired of the nutmeg-scented onslaught.
But what do you do if you actually love cozy cold-weather beverages, but you just can’t face another year of PSL overkill? Never fear here is my list of delicious alternatives that are sure to inspire.
Sip a sweet cajeta latte
Cajeta, a type of dulce de leche made from caramelized goat’s milk, is delicious on ice cream, churros, and sliced fruit. However, this Mexican treat is an absolute powerhouse in lattes, its rich sweetness standing up perfectly to a strong espresso. It’s equally tasty melted into hot milk for a unique take on a steamer.
Make chai extra cozy
The aromatic spices of a chai latte are delicious all year round, but when the weather turns cool, sipping on tea infused with ginger, cloves, and cinnamon is especially nice. Take that snug feeling to the next level by adding a shot of vanilla-flavoured syrup. It’s like having homemade gingerbread with vanilla ice cream on top.
Amp up your hot chocolate
Think that hot chocolate is just for kids? Add a generous pinch of cardamom powder and you’ll think again. This aromatic, earthy spice has a savoury kick (mint, pepper, and pine are just some of its tasting notes), making it the perfect choice to balance out the sweet creaminess of a hot cocoa. If your favourite café doesn’t have cardamon on hand, have them add in a dash of chai syrup.
No, really. Amp up your hot chocolate
Is cardamom too tame for you? Make your hot chocolate or mocha Mayan-style: add in a generous pinch (or two!) of chilli powder along with a
dash of vanilla and black pepper.
Get creative with classic coffee
Even those who drink percolator or French-press style coffee can get in on the autumnal action. Make your coffee Moroccan style. For every half-cup of coffee beans, add in a teaspoon of cinnamon, a pinch of cloves, nutmeg, and whatever other flavours your heart desires. Grind your own beans at home? Add whole dried spices (like cloves, cardamon pods, and peppercorn) to your grinder. The result is a subtle, seasonal touch.
Not sold on spices? Try this sweet alternative
Not everyone loves spices, and that’s okay! Whip up a honey bee latte. Simply whisk honey into the milk as you heat it up and pour over espresso. The result is much richer and more nuanced than a traditional latte with table sugar.
Make apple cider with a twist
Pour a splash of cranberry juice into your hot apple cider to cut the sweetness and add a rosy hue. Simmer your cider in a crockpot? Add a knob of fresh ginger as a zingy alternative to the traditional cinnamon stick.
Make tea terrific
Pumpkin-spiced teas are nearly as common as their namesake lattes these days. Not your jam? Consider seasonal tea blends such as apple, black currant or hibiscus instead. Perfect traditional black tea? Opt for lapsang souchong. Its smoky flavour comes from being dried over a pinewood fire and will bring to mind bonfires and long walks among the leaves.
Embrace a nostalgic steamer
Butterscotch is easily overlooked in favour of its much cooler cousins (like cajeta), but this old-fashioned favourite is absolutely delicious. Mix some homemade butterscotch syrup into steamed milk (or take the easy route and ask for a shot of butterscotch syrup at your favourite café). Fantastic for crisp, clear nights on the patio with fluffy sweaters. Your kids will love it.
Try a turkey spice latte
Why should pumpkin have all the fun? If you’re not into sweet drinks, but love creative combos, consider a turkey spice latte. No, really! Add some rosemary syrup to your latte. The natural sweetness of the milk and the astringency of the espresso are the perfect pairing for the woodsy, savoury, floral notes of rosemary. Just think twice before you sprinkle some gravy mix on top.