Happy Fall, Cornellians! ‘Tis the season of cozy knit sweaters, leaves crunching under boots and GCals stacked with prelim study sessions. There is an unmistakable trace of pumpkin spice wafting in the crisp Ithaca air, signaling that the annual craze for all things fall-flavored is back in full swing! To those who typically celebrate the return of Starbucks’s holiday menu, I present to you the next best alternative here in Ithaca: Collegetown Bagels seasonal drinks.
Sold at $7.50 each, these eight new additions to CTB’s chalkboard go far beyond your typical pumpkin spice latte. All seasonal drinks are sold in a large, or 24 oz cup, maximizing flavor for a relatively fair price. Each latte contains a quad shot of espresso, so caffeine-sensitive readers, be warned. I walked away from this taste test with a serious sugar and caffeine-induced migraine, but it was well worth it to compose an honest, comprehensive review.
In standard Cornell fashion, I graded these drinks on an A-F scale with absolutely no curve — just like your most difficult prelim. Specially, each score factors in flavor, sweetness and overall enjoyment. Due to the pure subjectivity of these rankings, I encourage readers to keep an open mind — even my least favorite could be your new go-to, so head down to CTB and give one (or all) a try!
The Apple Pie Latte [A+]
Picture yourself strolling through downtown Ithaca during Apple Fest, binging Gilmore Girls re-runs or taking in Cornell’s best fall views from the Slope — the Apple Pie Latte is the exact drink you’d want in hand while doing it. Packed with cidery goodness, rich notes of caramel and a subtle hint of cookie butter, this latte is quintessential autumn in a cup — and easily my personal favorite. The dusting of apple spice on top is also a simple, yet lovely touch of both festivity and flavor. I ordered it iced, per the barista’s recommendation, and I recommend you do the same.
The Campfire Latte [B-]
My first thought when I tried this smores-inspired latte is consistent with my overall assessment; the marshmallow, mocha and cookie butter combination is delicious, but fairly decadent. While I am by no means opposed to drinking my coffee on the sweeter side, this latte was simply too syrupy for my taste, so much so that its enjoyability began to decline after the first few sips. In all fairness, its sweetness is easily comparable to your typical Dunkin’ seasonal drink, so I suppose it all boils down to personal preference. After all, would it even be the holiday season without a little indulgence?
Maple Lavender Oat Matcha [A+]
Given that I have never once ordered a matcha over a coffee, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this latte. The lavender-maple twist is a pleasant, untraditional take on autumnal flavor, rivaling your classic pumpkin spice or salted maple. Against my own expectations, the sweet, earthy note of the lavender gently complements the maple syrup without straying into essential oil territory. In terms of color, the matcha only slightly varied from my preferred shade of green, but that's to be expected given the use of oatmilk. I highly suggest that any non-matcha drinkers give this latte a try — it might just convert you!
Golden Turmeric Oat Chai [A-]
Another unexpected favorite, the Tumeric Oat Chai is everything you can ask for in an autumnal beverage — it's warm and comforting, delivering the coziest blend of spices. The turmeric creates the lattes’ bright yellow hue, as if it were lifted straight from Ithaca’s October palette. Although I perhaps would have enjoyed a slightly stronger presence of turmeric, its savoriness does help to tone down the sweetness of the chai without overintensifying the spice. Nonetheless, I look forward to reordering.
The Snowflake Cold Brew [A+]
Out of principle, I generally refrain from reaching for anything peppermint-flavored until after Thanksgiving, but this drink was a welcomed exception to the rule. The combination of peppermint and white chocolate makes for an instant holiday classic; it's wintery, refreshing and even a little nostalgic — just like your favorite Christmas movie. The cold brew itself is smooth without the sourness of a regular iced coffee, while the cold foam on top essentially acts as a creamer, adding in a layer of richness as it gradually melts down. Again, this brew may be too sugary for some, but it’s still an enjoyable way to indulge your early holiday cravings.
The White Pumpkin Frappe [B+]
No critiques on sweetness here — the added scoop of vanilla ice cream (informally) classifies this white chocolate-pumpkin frappe as a dessert. If you want an extra-sweet treat and a much-needed dose of caffeine, this is the perfect choice. With a dome of fresh whipped cream and sprinkling of spiced sugar on top, this beverage is a fall-inspired delicacy, and drinking it sort of feels like an occasion in itself. The adorable presentation aside, what I most enjoyed about this drink was the freshness of the pumpkin. It manages to avoid that dreaded artificial taste you often get with flavored syrups.
Hot Cranberry Apple Cider [B+]
In all honesty, I would never reach for this drink on my usual coffee-run between classes. However, I could easily envision myself toasting with this cider at a holiday party, surrounded by friends or the glow of a crackling fire. The flavor tends to lean more citrusy than spicy, though you still get a hint of those classic fall flavors — clove, cinnamon, apple, cranberry and orange among the most prominent. I felt that drinking it hot elevated its cheerfulness, but having it cold may be a fun alternative to an iced coffee.
The Creme De Menthe Breve [A-]
In essence, the Creme De Menthe Breve tastes like a shot of espresso poured over a December frost. The icy profile of peppermint and vanilla is reminiscent of, if not slightly superior to, the Snowflake Cold Brew. Made with steamed half and half instead of milk, the drink is much richer than your average latte, with a naturally sweeter taste — to emphasise, I mean it is extremely sweet, so consider your preferences carefully before ordering.
To note one final takeaway from this review, whether you are looking to embrace the spell of autumn for a few more weeks, or you are anxious to get into the holiday spirit, there’s clearly an option for everyone amongst this list, from matcha-lovers to latte enthusiasts alike. Having discovered a new list of seasonal favorites, I personally intend to savor them all before the semester — and my dwindling coffee budget — runs out!
Katelyn Halverson is a sophomore in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She can be reached at kh874@cornell.edu.
