8 fall drinks to sip on in lieu of the Pumpkin Spice Latte

Hear me out. I know you love Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I get it. But back away from Starbucks because there’s a better fall drink in Charlotte. In fact there are several hot drinks with fall flavors that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

I went to locally owned coffee shops with one question: “What should people be drinking instead of a Pumpkin Spice Latte?” Here are the answers. (The Daily Press gets extra points for its inventive recipes and artful presentation. And pretty cups.)

(1) The Spiced Butterbeer Cappuccino

Sweetened with lemon-ginger-butterbeer syrup, garnished with cinnamon, matcha powder and a Muscadine grape.

Find it: The Daily Press, 3227 North Davidson Street

(2) The Picadilly Fog

Earl Grey Tea latte sweetened with pomegranate and cascara molasses, garnished with cinnamon and hibiscus sugar.

Find it: The Daily Press, 3227 North Davidson Street

(3) The Apple Strudel

Spiced apple black tea served with a dollop of homemade whip, garnished with honey and dried apple slices.

Find it: The Daily Press, 3227 North Davidson Street

(4) Crown Maple Latte

Double shot of espresso, Crown Maple Whiskey, steamed milk and a caramel drizzle.

Find it: Crown Station Coffee House & Pub, 1425 Elizabeth Avenue

(5) Fall Latte

Vanilla sugar latte flavored with all spice, nutmeg, cardamom and mace.

Find it: Not Just Coffee, 7^th Street Public Market, 224 East 7^th Street; or, Atherton Mill, 2140 South Boulevard

(6) Dirty Toasted Marshmallow Chai Latte

Chai latte with marshmallow flavor, a shot of espresso and a ghost-shaped marshmallow.

Find it: Cafeccino’s, 2706 West Mallard Creek Church Road

(7) Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte

Latte with house-made syrup.

Find it: Central Coffee, 719 Louise Avenue

Latte with seasonal house-made syrup.

Find it: Smelly Cat Coffehouse, 514 East 36^th Street

Photos by Jody Mace and Smelly Cat Coffeehouse

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This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 1:00 AM with the headline "8 fall drinks to sip on in lieu of the Pumpkin Spice Latte."