Welcome to my favourite time of year. October is the best month ever, and I will die on that hill. Nothing beats spooky season coming in strong with crisp weather, hauntingly beautiful decorations, and, of course, pumpkin-flavoured everything.
This is one of my most cherished annual posts that I thoroughly enjoy writing. With a birthday in early September, I happily take all of my birthday money and spend it on as many pumpkin spice lattes as I can. Join me on my journey as we venture around and taste all the specialties that fall has to offer. I’ve also included other fall-flavored drinks as well. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to check off every single spot on my list due to busy adult life. But, I was fortunate enough to get my fall fix at quite a few places.
Onwards, the Great Pumpkin Spice is calling.
Balzac’s
Let’s be real, we’ve all had a giggle about the name. Dare I say, Balzac’s has my favourite pumpkin spice latte? Yes, it even trumps the iconic Starbucks PSL.
Called the Pumpkin Harvest Latte, Balzac’s crafts this drink to perfection. It’s made with real pumpkin puree, and you can definitely taste it. This one is my personal favourite due to the fact that the drink tastes like a high-quality, handcrafted beverage complete with real ingredients. It’s the perfect amount of sweetness and isn’t overbearing or overly sweet like other PSLs. Also, it’s a Canadian company, so what’s not to like?
Thistle Bookshop and Cafe
Thistle is the quintessential cozy cafe. If you want Hallmark movie vibes, Thistle Bookshop and Cafe is the place to be. Order a drink and wander around. Maybe you’ll find a new favourite read or even a new journal to write all of your thoughts in. Bring the little ones along, too, as they have a dedicated kids’ corner with books, games, and a few toys for purchase, as well as caffeine-free drinks and lots of delicious goodies.
I fell in love with Thistle after I tried their Cinnamon Maple Latte, which tastes like autumn in a cup. As a Canadian girly, I have a soft spot for anything maple-flavoured. It’s a sweeter latte, but it’s not overwhelming. The cinnamon and maple notes work nicely together, and it’s such a phenomenal drink. I look forward to it every year. I also had the pleasure of trying their pumpkin spice latte, and it was nothing short of being absolutely delicious. Thankfully, I was smart enough to get a large size, and I drank it in no time. Thistle does a wonderful job of making sure the drinks have the perfect amount of sweetness. Spend an afternoon here, you won’t regret it.
I’ve covered Thistle in previous posts, which I will link under this lovely sentence.
Canuck Kitchen Daily Happenings: Volume 4 – Canuck Kitchen
Canuck Kitchen Daily Happenings: Volume 9 – Canuck Kitchen
Canuck Kitchen Daily Happenings: Volume 11 – Canuck Kitchen
Font Coffee Bar
Font Coffee Bar is a hidden gem that makes you feel right at home. Ever since I first set foot in this magical cafe, I haven’t stopped talking about it. I tell everyone to go here, and I mean everyone.
While Font doesn’t directly have a pumpkin spice on its menu, you can still ask for it. My goal was to try all of their fall drinks, but I ended up getting so hooked on the Canadian Delight Latte. Yes, you guessed it, more maple syrup for my Canadian little heart. Also, I love how they put the flavour notes directly on their menu. I haven’t seen a lot of cafes do this, and I think it’s an awesome idea, so you know what to expect.
The pumpkin spice latte at Font Coffee Bar had the most subtle flavours out of all the ones I tried. So, if you’re looking for a pumpkin spice that has balanced flavours, head to Font. It still has that pumpkin and cinnamon flavor we all know and love, but it’s more of a well-blended beverage. Also, it feels really cool requesting a drink that isn’t on the menu. VIP treatment, hello!
Read more about Font Coffee Bar in my previous posts, which I will conveniently link for you down yonder.
Canuck Kitchen Daily Happenings: Volume 12 – Canuck Kitchen
Canuck Kitchen Daily Happenings: Volume 13 – Canuck Kitchen
Nature’s Corner
Just down the street from Font Coffee Bar is Nature’s Corner Café and Bakery. This is another one of my favorite spots in the area. The drive there is absolutely breathtaking, and you’ll pass by adorable homes, farms, and trees for miles. Next to Nature’s Corner is a flea market with tons of vintage items, so the entire surrounding area is like a cozy movie come to life.
I’ve never had a hot apple cider before, and that’s pretty essential considering the time of year. I grabbed one of those and a pumpkin spice latte, and wow, I was blown away. The apple cider had a foam on top and you could taste hints of cinnamon. Best apple cider ever. Even though I’ve only had the one, I can say that it’s truly the best.
The pumpkin spice latte was fantastic as usual, with loads of cinnamon and pumpkin flavor. It’s creamy, and the espresso wakes you up, which is much needed when you’re a Forever 21 adult. I’ve come here quite a few times for the pumpkin spice and other drinks, and I’ve always left a happy customer. This is another one of those cafes I love to rave about. It’s cute, cozy, and the interior is rustic and feels just like home.
I’ve covered Nature’s Corner before. Check out some previous posts!
Canuck Kitchen Daily Happenings: Volume 11 – Canuck Kitchen
Canuck Kitchen Daily Happenings: Volume 12 – Canuck Kitchen
The Watering Can
The Watering Can is one of my favourite ways to spend a few hours. With a hot drink in hand, I love checking out the bevy of plants and florals that grace this massive building. I wasn’t able to come here last year, so this was at the top of my list this year. They have a Cinnamon Vanilla Oatmilk Latte year-round, which is my favourite drink there, but I’ll count it as a fall beverage since it has all the yummy flavours of autumn.
Personally, my Pumpkin Spice from the Watering Can was a bit heavy on the nutmeg, which I wasn’t a fan of. But that’s just my opinion, and someone else may feel otherwise, and that’s ok! Unfortunately, this one was my least favourite of the list, but all the other delectable drinks made up for it. I’ll still keep coming back for that Cinnamon Vanilla Oatmilk Latte.
On a side note, they also had adorable décor for sale alongside the plants.
You can read more about The Watering Can just below.
Canuck Kitchen Daily Happenings: Volume 8 – Canuck Kitchen
Canuck Kitchen Daily Happenings: Volume 12 – Canuck Kitchen
Starbucks
The list finishes off strong with the legendary Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. This was my initial introduction into this magical world of being basic. Out of all the creations on the list, I find Starbucks is the sweetest. It’s definitely more of a dessert in a cup, but I keep coming back for it year after year. Nothing beats that nostalgic flavour. A medium-sized one is basically a meal in itself for me, and I love it. Top it with some whipped cream and feel a smile form on your face. While I do recommend trying other PSLs, Starbucks does have an iconic one that is cherished by many.
