Brittany Poeppe | Assistant Arts + Life Editor

September 29th was International Coffee Day. In honor of the national holiday, Jackie Cassaro at Common Grounds, the coffee shop at Buena Vista University, shared some of the new “fall-friendly” flavors. The Tack staff also decided to add a few of their favorite fall drinks!

Drink recipes are based on the grande (medium) size cups. Not all the drinks on the list are coffee-based, so if you don’t like coffee, there’s probably still something on the list for you to try!

1. PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte): The ultimate white-girl fall go-to drink. The drink is pumpkin spice with white chocolate. For people who don’t know what a latte is, it is a coffee beverage made with espresso and steamed milk. If you like pumpkin pie and all things autumn, this might be your new favorite drink (if it isn’t already!).

2. Graham Cracker: This coffee drink is similar to Starbucks’ new Toasted Graham Latte. Common Grounds makes this drink with vanilla, white chocolate, and gingerbread. If you like skipping Halloween and Thanksgiving and going right to Christmas, you might want to try this drink.

3. Apple Cider: Apple cider is the perfect reminiscent drink that reminds a lot of people of autumn, hayrides, and Thanksgiving. Common Grounds is serving this yummy drink steamed with a flavor of choice. Try it with cinnamon or nutmeg for the perfect drink to watch the leaves change color.

4. Chocolate PSL: Hipsters who can’t stand to be seen drinking a regular PSL, never fear. The chocolate PSL has 2 pumps of mocha syrup added, so you don’t have to worry about being called basic. Also, if you love chocolate mocha, this is a great drink for you to try, even if you’re pretty basic.

5. Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino: Frappuccino fans, cinnamon roll lovers, and non-coffee drinkers unite! Frappuccinos are frozen beverages trademarked by Starbucks; sometimes they have coffee in them, but not all do. The cinnamon roll frap (Frappuccino) is a vanilla bean frappuccino (no coffee) and 2-3 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup.

6. Candy Apple Frap: County fair time is coming to a close, and if you like candy apples, this is a great go-to drink. This drink is apple juice (or apple cider, if you’re feeling adventurous), 2 pumps of raspberry syrup, 3 pumps of classic (simple) syrup, and ice. The frap is blended, and ask for whipped cream and caramel drizzle on top for a truly sweet drink.

7. Butterbeer Frap: If you’re a Harry Potter geek, you’ll probably love this drink. The Butterbeer frap is a vanilla bean frap with 2 pumps of caramel syrup, 3 pumps of toffee nut syrup, and caramel drizzle on top. Accio, Butterbeer frap!

8. Apple Pie Frap: If you’re a person who likes apple pie and ice cream, look no further. The apple pie frap is cream and apple juice blended with 2 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup and 2 pumps of caramel syrup. If you like more whipped cream than pie, ask for a spritz of whipped cream to top it off.

9. Hot Tea: Some people don’t like coffee or frappuccinos. Common Grounds has a selection of teas to choose from. You can choose anything from a wild orange blossom tea to an earl grey black tea. If you’re the strong, silent type who likes to meditate, this is definitely your drink.

10. Caramel Apple Spice Frap: Another apple-based drink! Fall is the perfect time for apples and apple cider. The caramel apple spice frap is whole milk and apple juice or apple cider blended with 2-3 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup. Top it with whipped cream and caramel drizzle to give the drink the perfect caramel apple flavor.

11. Hot Chocolate: The classic hot chocolate can’t be forgotten! The weather is really starting to cool down, so what better way to enjoy the seasonal shift than curling up with a nice hot chocolate! If none of these drinks sounded good to you, maybe you should just stick with what you know. Hot chocolates are a safe, familiar bet, and you can’t go wrong with a good hot chocolate!

Aside from their fall drinks, Common Grounds is also serving pumpkin and other seasonal flavored muffins. You can also get your caramel apple fix at the coffee shop if the caramel apple frappuccino sounds too risky. Common Grounds is open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 AM-8 PM and Friday 7:30 AM-5 PM. Make sure to stop by and pick up your favorite fall drink!

Photo by Brittany Poeppe