If pumpkin spice isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other fall beverage options you can enjoy from locally owned coffee shops.
The arrival of fall in Michigan, accented by shorter days and a familiar crisp, cool breeze, brings with it all of the traditional seasonal activities we love. For many, that includes stopping at your favorite local coffee shop to indulge in a classic pumpkin spice latte, or PSL, if you will.
We know, of course, that not everyone is into this quintessential fall beverage. No judgment! After all, either you love the warm mixture of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, or you don’t.
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Coffee shops across the Mitten know this too. Here are five spots with other fall drink options that are sure to satisfy your need for a cozy bevvy ahead of the colder weather that’ll be here before we know it.
Good Harbor Coffee & Bakery (Traverse City)
111 W. Front St.
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This small coffee shop located in downtown Traverse City has been around for over 30 years and is known for its elevated coffee quality and delicious homemade baked goods. With the changing season comes additions to the menu such as spiced coffee and a fall-inspired cold brew. However, the drink that stands to rival the PSL is a latte flavored with maple syrup.
Good Harbor also has additional bakery items that would pair perfectly with any of its fall drinks, such as a pumpkin pie bar or a traditional cinnamon sugar donut.
Lantern Coffee Bar & Lounge (Grand Rapids)
100 Commerce Ave. SW.
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More than just a coffee shop, Lantern Coffee Bar & Lounge has the perfect atmosphere to pair with your new favorite fall beverage. The cozy spirit of this place makes it a great new hangout where you can relax, get work done, or even listen to live music.
One of Lantern’s new fall drinks has quickly become a favorite with its regulars, and it’s clear why: The maple miel includes maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove, which sounds like the best combination of ingredients for that nostalgic fall feeling. For those who love cozy drinks with their chilly weather but would rather skip the caffeine, the shop also has a delicious homemade apple cider.
RoosRoast Coffee (Ann Arbor)
1155 Rosewood St.
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This solar-powered grassroots coffee shop is dedicated to protecting our planet and serving the community. RoosRoast is known for its unique coffee and welcoming atmosphere with plenty of outdoor seating for you to relax and enjoy your new favorite beverage. Try the Ancho Pancho Mocha, which has all of those delicious fall spices without being overly sweet. Other recommendations include an Apple Ginger Blast, Chaider, and a more familiar Salted Maple Latte.
Blue Owl Coffee (Lansing)
1149 S. Washington Ave.
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This coffee shop has a wonderful calming atmosphere to relax and enjoy a great cup of coffee. Blue Owl is known for showcasing the work of local artists as well as live music events. It is the owners’ desire to give people hope by means such as music, art, or coffee. The shop also has coffee cocktails, delicious pastries, and new seasonal drinks to try this year. Fall drinks include a chai nitro, which is perfect for those brisk autumn mornings when you might need that extra jolt of caffeine; The Great Pumpkin, which is pumpkin puree that has been mixed with honey and espresso and finished with milk; and Grandma’s GOAT. (Do you even need a description for that last one? It’s Grandma’s Greatest Of All Time.)
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters (Detroit)
1220 Griswold St.
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This coffee shop began as a family business in 2009 with the aim of bringing people together through music and desserts. Dessert Oasis has evolved over time and eventually won awards for its coffee. The shop has many fun fall drinks and pastries to enjoy, such as The Count, which includes its house espresso, pecan brown sugar syrup that is garnished with a maple all-spice rim, and orange zest. There’s also the Southern Gothic for the non-coffee drinkers, which is Assam Gold black tea, orange and rosemary oleo saccharum, and muddled lemon and grapefruit served in a cinnamon-smoked glass.
READ MORE: 16 Michigan Traditions to Start with Your Family This Fall and Winter
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