It’s almost basic season, y’all…
And that means it’s time to have a real conversation about the drinks that dominate this time of year.
Ciders, lattes, cinnamon sugar rims…oh my!
Fall flavors, in my humble opinion, are better than any offered up by the other seasons (Christmastime’s peppermint mocha and springtime’s honey lavender put up compelling- but still inadequate- fights), and the comfort that they bring just as sweater weather starts to pick up is unparalleled.
But which of these autumnal ambassadors is the ultimate in bringing fall flavor to your taste buds?
Let’s find out! I present to you…
The Battle of the Basics!
First up: Pumpkin Spice Latte
PSL…the abbreviation just screams “BASIC” as far as the ear can hear, and if this is what being basic is all about, then I don’t want to be complicated.
Believe it or not, there’s more to the pumpkin story than many expect. According to Food & Wine Magazine, this scintillating spice blend is over 225 years old- there’s mention of the spices in a pumpkin pie recipe from 1798! However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that companies like McCormick began pre-packaging them together as “pumpkin pie spices”, and a mere 70-ish years later, in 2003, Starbucks debuted the “PSL”.
A star was born.
Next in line: Pumpkin Beer
The bane of brewers and bartenders near and far (have you ever had to work with that honey cinnamon sugar rim? Sticky nightmare!), the arrival of this basic beer on taps is a sure sign that sweater weather is just around the corner. Pumpkin beer tasting has become a hobby, with enthusiasts trying to grab sips from as many breweries as possible before the final keg is tapped and replaced by the winter ales. Each year, it seems the pumpkin beer creep happens earlier and earlier- this year, some Long Island breweries had theirs on as early as the last week of July!
But this pumpkin lovin’ beertender isn’t complaining- I gobble these babies up like it’s my job.
Oh, and yes. If you’re offering, I will absolutely take the cinnamon sugar rim.
Last, but certainly never least…Apple Cider
Gallon sized and chilled. Frozen slushy. Warm and toasty. Hard.
Of the three drinks featured on the Battle of the Basics, apple cider is without a doubt the most versatile. As long as you’re a fan of the taste, there’s a type of cider available for any occasion or time of day.
Slightly sweet and slightly tangy, with just the right blend of spices to get your autumn fuzzy feel on, having a taste of cider- no matter the style- is essentially a rite of passage for the season. Pair cider tasting with a day of apple picking, and you’ve got yourself a basic outing for the ages!
So, tell me in the comments or on today’s Instagram post: which of these basics is your fave? Who will be the ultimate winner of the 2023 Battle of the Basics?!
As for me, I’ll be enjoying ALL of these drinks, basking in the simpleton pleasures that make this season so magical. Long Islanders: got any good recs for places to go? Let me know!
Stay tuned in a couple of days for my next post, about an exciting fall project I’m taking on!
‘til next time,
Lau