4 Chicago Spots With Can't-Miss Pumpkin Spice Lattes
By Chicagoist_Guest in Food on Sep 19, 2017 9:55PM
It’s true that the pumpkin spice trend has gone too far (pumpkin spice hummus? Is nothing sacred?), but that doesn’t mean that we should abandon it completely. Basic or no, pumpkin spice lattes are delicious, and they’re even better when they come from local coffee shops, and sometimes even real pumpkins! Here are four of the best pumpkin latte offerings in Chicago this year.
By Leigh Kunkel
The PSL at Ipsento
Ipsento’s Pumpkin Patch Latte
Bucktown staple Ipsento brings back their Pumpkin Patch Latte every year, and every year people go crazy for it. House-roasted espresso is combined with real pumpkin and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, along with local Jo Snow pumpkin-coconut syrup and perfectly frothed milk. Served in an orange mug with a green plate—like a pumpkin patch—this latte almost makes the shorter fall days worth it.
The Bageler’s Coffeehouse Pumpkin Pie Latte
If you have a pumpkin spice craving on the North Side, look no further than the Bageler’s Coffeehouse. Their annual Pumpkin Pie Latte is made with actual pumpkin and topped with clouds of foam and a sprinkling of cinnamon for a drink that’s not too syrupy and not too sweet. It’s everything you want from a piece of pumpkin pie without (all) the guilt.
Caffe Streets Seasonal Pumpkin Latte
Caffe Streets’ owner, known to most as Chef Jelena, not only makes the pastries for her Wicker Park cafe, but also the syrups for their seasonal lattes. “The pumpkin syrup is pretty unique as far as pumpkin spice lattes go,” she says. “I use organic pumpkin puree along with spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon, but what really makes it approachable is that it is absence of refined sugars. We try not to mask the notes of the espresso with our syrups so that they complement one another, and I think the absence of the refined sugar helps with that.” The warm wood interior and perfectly-executed latte art make this the ideal place to Instagram your #localPSL.
Oromo Cafe Pumpkin Latte
A relative newcomer to the Chicago coffee scene, Oromo has made a name for itself with its innovative lattes, like pistachio and rose, and the addition of superfoods like maca to many of its drinks. You would think that their pumpkin latte would be equally intriguing, and you’d be right. Organic Peruvian espresso, pumpkin purée, and house-made pecan milk combine for a creamy, perfectly-balanced flavor combination that pairs beautifully with their vegan, cashew-based pumpkin cheesecake tartlets. Who knew you could feel so smug about drinking a pumpkin latte?