Dolce Autunno: Fall Flavors BETTER Than Pumpkin Spice

Fall coffee does not begin and end with pumpkin spice. I said what I said! Pumpkin spice has had the spotlight long enough, and honestly, there are better ways to make espresso taste like fall.

As the weather cools down, shorts disappear, jeans and sweaters come back out, and suddenly coffee has a more important job to do. It needs to get you through cold mornings, early tailgates, lazy weekends, and those nights when you are sitting by the firepit pretending that you are not freezing.

That is where flavors like maple syrup, apple butter, toasted pecan, cinnamon, and s’mores come in. They are warm, rich, seasonal, and just indulgent enough without tasting like every coffee shop menu you’ve seen since 2003. Add them to a good shot of espresso from Vero Espresso and you’ll have a fall drink that actually has personality.

If you’re ready to step away from the pumpkin spice Karens, these five espresso drinks are for you! They are fairly easy to make, can be served hot or iced, are full of fall flavor, and proof that you can enjoy the season without ordering the most basic drink on the menu!

This is a warm and creamy fall drink that tastes like a café favorite without being too sweet. A pinch of salt balances the sweetness from the maple syrup and softens the boldness of the espresso while keeping the flavor rich and balanced.

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 6–8 oz steamed milk
• Small pinch of sea salt

Directions

1. Brew the espresso into your mug.
2. Stir in the maple syrup and a very small pinch of sea salt.
3. Pour in the steamed milk and stir gently.
4. Finish with another tiny pinch of sea salt on top, if desired.

Vero Tip: Go easy on the salt. You want it to sharpen the maple flavor, not make your latte salty. If you want a sweeter drink, you can increase the maple syrup to 1½ tbsp.

Do you need an ultra expensive maple syrup? Of course not…but real maple syrup is FAR superior to that high fructose stuff and small bottle does go a long way.

I’ll probably get angry messages from Italians saying this isn’t proper BUT it IS delicious! Apple Butter is just a culinary term for apples that are cooked down to a super thick and jammy consistency. Similar to applesauce but sweeter, smoother and more concentrated. Think of it like a jar of apple pie filling…and what says fall more than apple pies?

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso
• 1 tbsp apple butter
• 6–8 oz steamed milk
• Small pinch of cinnamon
• 1–2 tsp caramel sauce

Directions

1. Brew the espresso into your mug.
2. Stir in the apple butter and cinnamon until well combined.
3. Pour in the steamed milk and stir gently.
4. Drizzle a little caramel over the top.

Vero Tip: Taste your apple butter first. If it is already very sweet, keep the caramel light so the apple and cinnamon flavors still come through. Balancing flavors is key to a great espresso!

S’mores are one the greatest culinary inventions of the 20th century. It’s right up there with sliced bread and instant ramen! Okay, maybe just in my hierarchy of foods!

S’mores first appeared in the 1927 Girl Scouts Handbook “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” and were originally called “Some Mores”. Who would’ve thought that the girls who gave us Thin Mints and Caramel deLites, also gave us S’mores?

 

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso
• 1 tbsp toasted marshmallow syrup
• 6–8 oz steamed milk
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• Small pinch of cinnamon

Directions

1. Brew the espresso into your mug.
2. Stir in the toasted marshmallow syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon until dissolved.
3. Pour in the steamed milk and stir gently.
4. Finish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon or brown sugar on top.

Vero Tip: I’m not one for garnishes on plates or drinks but I think a lightly toasted mega marshmallow on here would be totally acceptable!

We’ve been seeing a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte floating around Instagram and TikTok, so here is a quick and easy version of it without the annoying Influencer.

 

The quintessential fall flavor! This recipe has the most ingredients and might take a few extra minutes to put together but it is 1000% worth it! You get this amazing comforting flavor from the sugar and cinnamon, creaminess from the milk and a nuttiness from the pecans. It’s literally like sipping on a piece of pie!

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso
• 6–8 oz steamed milk
• 1 tbsp toasted pecan syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla syrup
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• Small pinch of cinnamon
• 1–2 tsp caramel sauce
• Chopped pecans, for topping

Directions

1. Brew the espresso into your mug.
2. Stir in the toasted pecan syrup, vanilla syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon while the espresso is hot.
3. Pour in the steamed milk and stir gently.
4. Drizzle caramel over the top.
5. Finish with a small sprinkle of chopped pecans.

Tip: I know what I said earlier about garnishes, but this one deserves a proper garnish too. Could you sprinkle some chopped nuts on top? Sure…but if you want to elevate it even more, candied pecans is the way to go! They’re easy to make and you’ll find yourself constantly snacking on them!

Fall drinks don’t begin and end with pumpkin spice. There are plenty of flavor combinations that can bring out the best of the season, from warm cinnamon and toasted pecan to maple, apple, caramel, and s’mores. The flavors don’t stop there either; pear, fig, chestnut, cranberry, etc. You are, after all, the barista of your own coffee shop.

Whether you’re starting a chilly morning, heading out for an early tailgate or practice, or winding down by the firepit, Vero Espresso capsules make an easy base for creating something that feels a little more special. So grab your favorite cup, try a new flavor, and make the most of espresso season.