Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Starbucks

The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew (PCCB) is a new item and hot commodity on the Starbucks menu as fall approaches. Graduating from the PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte), I feel as if I have a classy, elegant and grown up drink that doesn't overwhelm me with ferocious amounts of sugar. Whether it's a quaint pick-me-up, or a trenta-sized cold brew, satisfaction is guaranteed.

I'm typically not one to brag about Starbucks, the world's most recognized coffee chain and creator of the coffee experience, but this experience was one to be mentioned. Walking into my on-campus Starbucks, I dreaded the fact that I would hit my sugar intake for the week with just one drink. Fall is one of my favorite seasons solely for the fact that it becomes more acceptable to drink hot coffee every single day. And that is exactly what I do. every. single. day.

But the cold brew - let me tell ya about the cold brew - encapsulating the pumpkin spice, the coffee and the refreshing cold brew. Now I can bundle up and cool off with an iced coffee; now socially acceptable in a fall season near you.

The great thing about Starbucks is their ability to make you feel healthy and classy with their drinks when in reality, they may not be the best option. Feel free to scroll to the bottom and check out more nutrition facts... But a tall Pumpkin Spice Latte has 330 calories, 15g of fat and 39g of sugar. And that's the SMALLEST size! How many influencers and celebrities, even athletes, promote and take fall-themed photos with their PSL in hand? I'm calling it now, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew will soon replace the PSL phenomenon.

Compared to the PSL, the cold brew wonder has 140 calories, 7g of fat and only 17g of sugar. What a difference! The key is how the baristas make the drink itself. Instead of mixing milk and sugar with a tiny bit of espresso, Starbucks pours a cold brew in their cup and flavors the frothed milk. As you sip on your drink, the froth infuses into your coffee ensuring that the pumpkin is present throughout your whole experience. And you're not coating your insides.

I commend Starbucks for serving their coffee as it should be - espresso with a splash of flavor. Not the other way around. My biggest hope is that this drink becomes the drink of the season and transforms their way of doing coffee.

*Here's a fun twist on the PCCB: ask for caramel or vanilla to take place of the pumpkin flavoring. It's a twist on an iced caramel macchiato or vanilla latte and still has about the same healthiness to it. And satisfies the sugar craving without overdoing it.