Pumpkin spice: Lexington's offerings on the fall flavor

As the leaves turn in Lexington, Kentucky, a familiar but distant scent starts to drift through the air: PUMPKIN SPICE! With fall quickly approaching, different coffee shops in Lexington change their seasonal menus. They come up with different variations of pumpkin flavoring cold foam and coffee flavoring, as well as seasonal donuts and muffins. While all coffee shops explore pumpkin spice, not all are created with much love. I recently went to Lexington’s finest coffee places 7 Brew, Old School Coffee, and of course, Starbucks to see who captured the perfect flavor of pumpkin spice the best. 

7 Brew is a drive-thru style coffee place that offers many different options whether you want a refreshing drink, and hot or cold coffee. 7 Brew has an extremely welcoming and laid back vibe and offers a seasonal drink called “Pumpkin Blondie.” When I tried this, I also got vanilla cold foam on top. It was a delicious addition. The coffee was amazing, because of its rich pumpkin flavor and the creaminess of the drink. Adding cold foam to it is definitely worth it because it gives the drink an extra texture and taste on the top. Flavor wise, the coffee at 7 Brew hits a strong four out of five that lets the drinker feel comfortable and happy. The relaxed ambiance of the drive through, and the smooth, flavorful coffee made my 7 Brew experience even better. 

Old School Coffee at Dudley Square has a very friendly and southern feel. Walking into the store it felt like it was welcoming and the baristas were genuinely excited to be there, and cared about my questions about their menu. Old School Coffee offers a latte they call “Pumpkin Pie” and I also got Pumpkin cream cold foam on it. The smooth and rich flavor of the pumpkin sauce and the perfect addition of the cinnamon powder to top is the elite combination that makes you feel a slight breeze and want to go pumpkin picking. I would totally recommend going to Old School Coffee at Dudley Square because they truly made the idea of pumpkin spice reality. Old School Coffee definitely gets a four out of five because of their cold foam and ambiance. 

Starbucks is a chain coffee place, but their pumpkin spice products are a reliable fall staple. Their iced pumpkin spice latte has a serious blend of pumpkin, nutmeg and cinnamon flavors. Starbucks’s pumpkin spice is on the sweeter side, so if you like it a little more dry, you need to ask for a few less pumps of pumpkin syrup. The coffee is a thick and creamy texture, which pairs well with their vanilla cream cold foam. Even though Starbucks lacks the vibe and love of a local cafe, you know exactly what you are getting when you order pumpkin spice from Starbucks, it’s reliable. The atmosphere of Starbucks can vary by location, but it’s a go-to option for a convenient and delicious five out of five pumpkin spice latte. 

In conclusion, Lexington offers a diverse range of pumpkin spice and fall drinks, depending on the ambiance of the shop, flavor of the drinks or toppings to add to the top. Whether you’re looking for consistency, speed or creativity, Lexington has great options to get a delicious fall drink. From the familiarity of Starbucks, to the welcoming vibes of Old School Coffee, and the drive-thru convenience of 7 Brew, each location takes its own take on seasonal beverages. As fall approaches even more, exploring new coffee shops helps to support local businesses, but it also helps you explore Lexington and what it has to offer.