Fall is one of the most exciting times of the year for coffee shops.
Customers pile in for warm beverages on cool days, seasonal holidays and festivities give us reasons to celebrate… and fall coffee flavors are finally back in the spotlight.
This blog is designed to get you ready for a fall full of flavor — beyond just pumpkin spice.
Let’s get started!
Why fall coffee flavors matter in 2025
Fall has become a key time for seasonal coffee shop sales, largely thanks to the infamous pumpkin spice latte (PSL).
This year, PSL hype caused Starbucks to launch their fall menu on August 22, the earliest the brand had ever released their fall drinks.
That earlier-than-ever trend stuck around this year, too, with Starbucks’ 2025 fall menu launching on August 26. On that same day, the brand’s foot traffic jumped by 27.4% compared to the week prior.
A coincidence? We think not.
Other bigwig brands have followed suit, adopting pumpkin-spiced everything during the fall season.
Dunkin’s fall menu features a Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, Iced Pumpkin Loaf, and Pumpkin Cake Donuts. Dutch Bros has Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée drinks and a Pumpkin Pie Frost. And Tim Hortons has Pumpkin Spice Iced Capps and Pumpkin Spice Muffins.
But, while PSLs will always have a special place in everyone’s fall flavor lineup…
Today’s customers are ready for more creative fall coffee flavors featuring seasonal spices and flavor combinations they know and love.
What are some unique fall coffee flavors?
There are tons of ways to approach fall coffee flavors outside of pumpkin spice — and it all starts with knowing your seasonal spices.
Here are some classic fall spices that would make a great (and unique) seasonal drink.
- Cinnamon — Warm, sweet, and versatile. Makes a great syrup infusion or garnish.
- Nutmeg — Slightly sweet, nutty, and aromatic. Pairs extra well with milk-based drinks.
- Clove — Bold and slightly peppery. A good addition for depth of flavor (but use sparingly).
- Allspice — Tastes like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Similar to pumpkin spice but warmer.
- Ginger — Warm with a spicy, tangy kick. Great for chai and gingerbread-inspired drinks.
- Cardamom — Complex, piney, fruity, and bold. An essential flavor in chai and baked goods.
You can also mix and match these spices to create the perfect blends for fall-inspired coffees.
- Pumpkin Spice = Cinnamon + Ginger + Nutmeg + Cloves + Allspice
- Chai Spice = Cardamom + Cinnamon + Ginger + Nutmeg + Cloves + Black Pepper
- Apple Pie Spice = Cardamom + Cinnamon + Nutmeg + Ginger + Allspice
There are also several complementary flavors you can combine with spices and spice blends to take your fall flavors to the next level, including:
- Apple
- Maple
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Brown Sugar
- Cocoa/Chocolate
- Butter/Brown Butter
2025’s top fall coffee flavors: our predictions
Based on the popular spices, spice blends, and flavors we just outlined, here are seven fall coffee flavors we think will gain popularity in 2025 — outside of pumpkin spice.
1 — Maple Brown Sugar
Maple brown sugar is a fall coffee flavor that plays on everything people love about the season: coziness, warmth, nostalgia, and a little bit of sweetness.
→ Get inspired by Haute Coffee’s Maple Brown Sugar Latte
2 — Caramel Apple/Apple Crisp
Caramel apple (or apple crisp) is a fall coffee flavor inspired by apple cider, but better. It’s sweet, savory, and perfectly accented with cinnamon-y fall flavor.
→ Get inspired by Tim Horton’s Cinnamon Caramel Apple Latte
3 — Brown Butter/Toasted Nut
Brown butter is one of the most indulgent fall coffee flavors. It’s got a rich, nutty flavor that is often complemented with toasted nuts or toffee for a sweet/savory combo.
→ Get inspired by Camp Coffee Company’s Brown Butter Latte
4 — Churro
Cinnamon is one of fall’s most prominent flavors, but churro takes it to a new level. It presents a classic fall coffee flavor in a totally unique (and memorable) way.
→ Get inspired by Starbucks Australia’s Golden Churro Iced Latte
5 — Salted Caramel Mocha
Salted caramel mocha is a deliciously warm fall coffee flavor that has all the makings of a must-try fall treat: it’s sweet, salty, and extra indulgent.
→ Get inspired by GN Cafe’s Salted Caramel Mocha
6 — Spiced Pear Lattes
Spiced pear is a fall coffee flavor that reminds customers there’s more to seasonal fruit than just apples, while still delivering the warm, spicy flavors people love.
→ Get inspired by SPoT Coffee’s Spiced Pear Latte
7 — Bourbon Vanilla
Bourbon vanilla is a fall coffee flavor with an interesting, complex profile, putting a twist on “regular” vanilla flavors that can help you stand out this season.
→ Get inspired by Mothership Coffee Roasters’ Bourbon Vanilla Latte
3 tips for trying out new fall coffee flavors
So, you know why fall coffee flavors are important. You know the most popular (and unique) spices, spice blends, and flavors. And you know the drinks we think will be popular this year.
Now, what do you do with that information?
You use it to start creating some incredible fall coffee flavors your customers will love — while keeping these tips in mind.
- Take one or two fall coffee flavors that you know your customers love, and find a way to elevate them. Add an exciting new ingredient or spice, combine it with another tried-and-true flavor… get creative to stand out and draw interest.
- Don’t restrict yourself to lattes! While most fall coffee flavors do get applied to lattes, there are no “rules” that say you can’t fall-ify cappuccinos, cold brews, frappuccinos, or even a food item on your coffee shop’s menu. Do whatever works for your coffee shop!
- Play into your local history, landmarks, and brand identity while you’re marketing your fall coffee flavors. So, if your coffee shop is in Vermont, you might consider creating a Green Mountain Maple Latte, tying your drink to your local environment.
And remember:
Fall does come with some well-loved spices and flavors, but you don’t have to stick to fall coffee flavors that already exist.
Try something well-loved, get experimental, create something new… the fall coffee flavors you add to your menu are only limited by your imagination!
