Pumpkin spice may be the unofficial flavor of fall, but it certainly does not have to be the only one. Once the weather starts to cool, there is an entire pantry of warm spices, fragrant teas, apples, maple, vanilla and chocolate waiting to make its way into your favorite autumn drinks.
If you love the cozy character of a Pumpkin Spice Latte but want something a little different this year, try swapping your usual pumpkin spice for British Baking Spice or Apple Pie Spice. Or skip the latte altogether and reach for a cup of chai, a London Fog, hot apple cider or rich spiced hot chocolate.
At The Spice & Tea Shoppe, fall is one of our favorite seasons because it gives us so many opportunities to put our handcrafted spices and loose leaf teas to work. Our Pumpkin Pie Spice, Apple Pie Spice and British Baking Spice each have their own personality, and all three can turn an ordinary cup of coffee, tea or cider into something distinctly seasonal.
Pumpkin Spice Is Only the Beginning
Our Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend combines cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, mace and cloves. It is the classic combination many people associate with pumpkin pie and fall baking, but those same spices are wonderful in beverages too. A little Pumpkin Pie Spice can be stirred into coffee, lattes, hot chocolate, apple cider or even a warm bowl of oatmeal.
The familiar flavor comes from the spices rather than the pumpkin itself. That means you can capture that same warm, bakery inspired feeling in drinks that contain no pumpkin at all.
And that is where things get interesting.
What Can You Use Instead of Pumpkin Spice?
1. British Baking Spice
If you are looking for a pumpkin spice alternative with a little more complexity, British Baking Spice is one of our favorites.
Inspired by traditional British baking, this blend brings together warming spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, coriander, ginger, cardamom and mace. It is particularly good with creamy drinks, tea, coffee, baked apples and anything containing vanilla or maple.
Think of it as the spice blend for someone who loves fall but wants to step outside the pumpkin pie box.
Try British Baking Spice in:
- Coffee and espresso drinks
- London Fog tea lattes
- Hot chocolate
- Apple muffins and cakes
- Oatmeal
- Rice pudding
- Pancakes and waffles
- Spiced steamed milk
Our Baking Spice Collection includes British Baking Spice along with the other pantry staples that make fall baking and beverage making so easy.
2. Apple Pie Spice
If apples are your favorite fall flavor, reach for Apple Pie Spice Blend instead.
Our blend combines cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger and cardamom. It has the familiar warmth of pumpkin spice but leans toward the sweet, fruity character of a freshly baked apple pie.
Apple Pie Spice is particularly good in beverages because apples and warm spices naturally complement coffee, black tea, chai, caramel, maple and vanilla.
Try it in:
- Hot apple cider
- Chai lattes
- Apple coffee drinks
- Oat milk lattes
- Hot chocolate
- Steamed milk
- Apple smoothies
- Cocktails and mocktails
A sprinkle over whipped cream or milk foam is an easy finishing touch.
3. Mulling Spices
Want to leave coffee behind completely?
Our Mulling Spices are a wonderful choice for fall entertaining. The blend includes cinnamon, allspice, orange peel, cloves and cardamom, making it especially suited to hot cider and other warm beverages.
Mulling spices give you that unmistakable autumn aroma without relying on pumpkin, coffee or dairy.
A pot of spiced apple cider simmering on the stove can make the entire kitchen smell like fall.
What Can You Drink Instead of a Pumpkin Spice Latte?
The Pumpkin Spice Latte has become a fall tradition, but there are plenty of other options when you want something seasonal.
Chai Latte
Chai and fall weather seem made for one another. Our Chai Classic is handcrafted in house with Assam black tea, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and orange peel. Add steamed milk and your favorite sweetener for a classic chai latte.
For a caffeine free option, try Chicory Chai, made with roasted chicory root, ginger, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and black pepper.
London Fog
A London Fog is another excellent alternative to a PSL. It combines Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, vanilla and sweetener.
Our Earl Grey is a traditional Chinese black tea scented with bergamot oil, giving the drink its distinctive citrusy character.
Add a little British Baking Spice and you have a fall version that is especially good with a slice of scone or shortbread.
Spiced Apple Cider
Nothing says autumn quite like hot apple cider. Add Apple Pie Spice or Mulling Spices and you have a simple beverage that works for breakfast, afternoon gatherings or holiday entertaining.
Hot Chocolate
For those who would rather skip coffee and tea, hot chocolate is an easy fall favorite. Add Pumpkin Pie Spice, British Baking Spice, cinnamon or even a little Chai Sugar for a seasonal twist.
Maple and Vanilla Coffee
You do not need pumpkin to make coffee taste like fall. Maple, vanilla and warm spices work beautifully together, especially with oat milk.
Our Madagascar "Bourbon Islands" Vanilla Extract is made from vanilla beans grown in Madagascar and is an excellent pantry addition for baking and drinks.
Four Fall Drinks to Make at Home
These recipes are designed to be simple enough for a weekday morning but special enough to serve to guests.
Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate
Makes 2 servings
If you still love pumpkin spice but want something different from a coffee based latte, try this creamy white hot chocolate.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk or oat milk
- 3 ounces white chocolate, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend
- 1/2 teaspoon Madagascar Vanilla Extract
- Whipped cream, optional
- Additional Pumpkin Pie Spice for topping
Instructions
Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium low heat. Do not let it boil.
Add the white chocolate and Pumpkin Pie Spice. Whisk until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour into two mugs and top with whipped cream and a light dusting of Pumpkin Pie Spice.
Make it your own: Use oat milk for a creamy dairy free version, or add a shot of espresso if you want a pumpkin spice mocha style drink.
British Baking Spice Maple Latte
Makes 1 serving
This is the drink to make when you want all the comfort of a fall latte without another pumpkin flavored coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 double shot espresso or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
- 3/4 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon British Baking Spice
- 1/4 teaspoon Madagascar Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of cinnamon for topping
Instructions
Combine the maple syrup, British Baking Spice and vanilla in the bottom of a mug.
Prepare the espresso or strong coffee and pour it over the mixture.
Heat and froth the milk, then slowly pour it into the mug.
Finish with a light dusting of British Baking Spice or cinnamon.
The combination of maple, vanilla and British Baking Spice creates a warm bakery flavor that pairs especially well with autumn breakfast pastries.
Apple Pie Chai Latte
Makes 1 large serving
This is a great choice when you want the spice of a PSL but would rather have apple as the star.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Chai Classic
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup milk or oat milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider or unsweetened apple juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice Blend
- 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnish, optional
Instructions
Steep the Chai Classic in boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes, then strain.
Warm the milk with the apple cider, Apple Pie Spice and sweetener. Froth until creamy.
Pour the chai into a large mug and add the warm milk mixture.
Stir in the vanilla and finish with a small pinch of Apple Pie Spice.
For an extra apple pie touch, garnish with a thin apple slice and cinnamon stick.
Mulling Spice Apple Cider
Makes 4 servings
This one is perfect for a Saturday afternoon, a fall dinner or a holiday gathering. It also makes the house smell wonderful while it simmers.
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider
- 2 tablespoons Mulling Spices
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick, optional
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, optional
Instructions
Pour the apple cider into a saucepan or slow cooker.
Place the Mulling Spices in a small piece of cheesecloth and tie securely, or use a reusable spice infuser.
Add the spice bundle, orange slices and apple slices to the cider.
Warm over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not boil.
Taste and add maple syrup if desired.
Remove the spice bundle before serving. Ladle into mugs and garnish with an orange slice or cinnamon stick.
For an adult version, individual servings can be turned into a cocktail with a splash of your favorite bourbon, rum or brandy.
Make Fall Drinks Your Own
The best part about seasonal beverages is that there are no hard rules. Start with a familiar drink and change the spice.
Love pumpkin spice? Add it to hot chocolate.
Love apple pie? Stir Apple Pie Spice into your morning coffee.
Love chai? Add a little vanilla and maple.
Love Earl Grey? Turn it into a London Fog with steamed milk and British Baking Spice.
Want something caffeine free? Try Chicory Chai or hot spiced cider.
You can even create a small fall beverage station for guests with several options. Set out mugs, cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, maple syrup, Apple Pie Spice, British Baking Spice and Pumpkin Pie Spice. Add a pot of hot cider and a selection of loose leaf teas, and everyone can create a drink suited to their own taste.
Shop the Spices Behind the Drinks
Fall does not have to mean drinking the same pumpkin spice latte from September through November. A well stocked spice cabinet gives you dozens of ways to create seasonal beverages at home.
At The Spice & Tea Shoppe, our baking spices, loose leaf teas and extracts are selected with the home cook and baker in mind. Many of our spice and tea blends are handcrafted and packaged in small batches right here at our shop.
Start with Pumpkin Pie Spice if you love the classic. Add Apple Pie Spice when you are ready for an apple focused fall. Pick up British Baking Spice when you want something a little different. And keep Mulling Spices nearby for cider season.
Then add a few loose leaf teas, a bottle of good vanilla and your favorite sweetener.
Because fall has a lot more to offer than pumpkin spice.
Sometimes the best seasonal drink is the one you have not tried yet.
Let's Get Cooking
For more culinary inspiration, be sure to visit our recipe page. Here, you'll find a diverse collection of delicious recipes for every taste, season and occasion.
