Seasonal beverages are a reason for customers to set aside their regular red-eye or cappuccino in favor of limited-time flavors. Even if a pumpkin spice latte is your go-to fall offering, you might consider adding some variety this autumn season in keeping with the strategies of major players in the beverage market. What’s trending in the hot beverage market this fall?

Pumpkin on the Back Burner

Pumpkin spice has become synonymous with the fall season, so it should come as no surprise that this popular flavor influences beverage menus. However, it seems the offerings for 2024 have been truncated to allow for other flavors.

The fall menu for Dunkin’ will once again feature the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, but it’s the only pumpkin drink, unlike last year when the brand also rolled out Nutty Pumpkin Coffee and the Pumpkin Swirl add-in for any drink.

Starbucks, the mastermind behind the pumpkin spice latte, will have only two new pumpkin-themed offerings: the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai. Both brands have pivoted to include other classic fall flavors to round out their lineup and appeal to different palettes.

Classic Fall Flavors Overtake Pumpkin Spice

Like pumpkins, apples and pecans are a staple of fall pies. This season, they’ll make the transition from plate to cup, at least at Starbucks, where the fall menu features:

• Iced Apple Crisp Cream Chai

• Oatmilk Iced Apple Crisp Shaken Espresso

• Oatmilk Apple Crisp Macchiato

• Oatmilk Pecan Crunch Latte

• Salted Pecan Cold Cream Foam

Dunkin’ hasn’t announced any beverages in this vein, but it is observing the rise in nut-themed drinks with its Almond Spice Coffee. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has yet to release its seasonal offerings for fall, but the summer menu featured several cold drinks with a brown sugar profile, which would transition well to fall.

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What’s New on the Cocoa/Mocha Scene?

Unfortunately, coffee shops don’t tend to do much with hot chocolate until the winter season, when they roll out the obligatory peppermint cocoa and mocha. Consumers looking for a drinkable treat with a chocolatey vibe could opt for items that are already on the menu.

Starbucks offers regular and white hot chocolates that can be customized by adding syrups like vanilla, hazelnut, peppermint, cinnamon dolce, or brown sugar, along with a drizzle of dark caramel or white chocolate mocha sauce. The spicy chili powder blend delivers Mexican hot chocolate vibes.

Will last winter’s pistachio drinks from Starbucks (the Pistachio Latte and Pistachio Cream Cold Brew) play on repeat? They may be on winter menus, but businesses looking to appease wistful customers craving this new favorite could step in and fill the gap in the meantime.

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 A Spot of Tea

While coffee-centric brands like Starbucks don’t put much effort into seasonal tea selections, The Republic of Tea has this arena covered. At the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City in June, the company unveiled new offerings for fall and winter, including a Pumpkin Pie Chai and Pumpkin Spice Black Tea.

The apple trend has also infiltrated the hot tea market, with Mulled Apple Spice, Apple Pie Chai, and Hot Apple Cider. A green rooibos Peppermint Bark Tea and an interesting Cardamom Cinnamon Black Tea will punctuate the winter season, along with a Gingerbread blend that takes advantage of one of the hottest flavors for winter 2024.

Related: Top Trends and Trendscope Insights from the 2024 NYC Summer Fancy Food Show

Tracking Trends in Fall Beverages

Seasonal updates to your menu provide a reason for new customers and loyal patrons to swing through and try something new. By tracking past successes and upcoming competitor menus, you can jump in on current trends, fill gaps in coverage, and test new flavors to see what hits.