Vaquero Coffee Co.
Vaquero Coffee Co.'s Pumpkin Spice Latte
It took nearly the entire month of October, but finally — finally — an appropriate cold front seems to be blowing through Fort Worth to justify boots, sweaters, and the good 'ole PSL. (That's Pumpkin Spice Latte, for the uninitiated.)
While Starbucks may be the most popular place to grab the basic fall beverage, local is always better — and many Fort Worth shops have created their own version of the drink that's far less sweet with far better espresso.
So, if you'd like to up your PSL game while supporting a local place, here are five pumpkin spice lattes — and one pumpkin cream cold brew — that'll summon those fall vibes quite nicely.
Vaquero Coffee Co. – Pumpkin Spice Latte
Downtown's Vaquero Coffee Co. serves a pumpkin spice latte that tastes like a liquified pie. Both the pumpkin and the spice are rather pronounced — but not too sweet — and the spices settle nicely at the bottom of the cup for one intense final sip.
Lazy Daisy Coffee – Pumpkin Pasties
Inspired by the baked treats served aboard the Hogwarts Express, the Pumpkin Pasties latte from Lazy Daisy Coffee is hardly sweet; instead, it brings out the flavors of ginger, cloves, and other spices for a comforting fall drink Harry Potter himself would approve.
Arcadia Coffee – Pumpkin Patch Latte
The South Main's vegan coffee shop Arcadia Coffee (vegan, so long as you don't order the whole milk) serves a Pumpkin Patch Latte that subtly blends the flavors of pumpkin spice, vanilla, and maple. We recommend ordering it with oat milk.
Buon Giorno – Pumpkin Spice Latte
If sweeter coffee drinks are more your style, Buon Giorno's pumpkin spice latte is probably the one on this list that leans most toward that sweeter side. But its sweetness in no way masks the pumpkin, which remains prominent with every sip.
Roots Coffeehouse – Smashing Pumpkins Latte
The game changer for Roots Coffeehouse's Smashing Pumpkins Latte is the cookie butter, which makes a notable presence in this PSL. The subdued sweetness makes for a balanced, comforting, and overall delicious beverage.
Common Grounds – Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
For the record, this tastes nothing like Starbucks' Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. TCU-area coffee shop Common Grounds serves a robust version of this drink that's appropriately strong, with the cream settled nicely on top for a sweet finish.
