Sip through the fall season: Your guide to spiced hot drinks in Ann Arbor

Photo: Pexels

ANN ARBOR – It's that time of year again when the leaves start changing, the days get brisker and the heavenly smell of pumpkin spice and cinnamon lingers in the air.

Here's a list of local cafes that are serving up your favorite warm, spiced creations (or will be soon):

Recommended Videos



RoosRoast

Their Autumn Harvest Latte sounds pretty awesome. 

Made from honey, vanilla extract, a spice that they make in-house (cloves, anise, cardamom, cinnamon and sugar), espresso and steamed milk, this chai-like latte is sure to keep you feeling warm and fuzzy.

Another must-try? Chai-der. RoosRoast combines half of its chai mix (made in-house) and locally sourced cider from the Farmers Market for this drink that basically sounds like fall in a cup. They described it as spiced apple cider black tea. 

Locations: 117 E. Liberty St., 1155 Rosewood St., Ste. B

Photo: Pexels


Espresso Royale

Do you have a sweet tooth?

Available now for your enjoyment are their Pumpkin Spice, Pumpkin Pie Lattes, and their own version of Chai-der.

Locations: 322 S. State St., 2264 S. Main St., 2603 Plymouth Road, 1101 S. University Ave.

Le Bon Macaron

Enjoy a Warm Spice Latte that perfectly balances the flavors of fall with cinnamon, nutmeg and other delicious spices.

Pair it with their popular Fall Collection macarons:

  • Pumpkin 
  • Maple Walnut
  • Apple Cinnamon
  • Speculoos
  • Chocolate Cinnamon

Doesn't that sound lovely?

 

Literati Coffee

For you espresso lovers out there.

Enjoy a refreshing kick of flavor with the release of their fall-themed drink.

It's 4 ounces (Cortada-sized), and is made with coffee blossom honey, two shots of espresso and steamed milk.

Location: 204 S. 4th Ave. 

Mighty Good Coffee

Here's something different: Try their Rosemary Latte made with homemade rosemary syrup.

Once winter hits, Mighty Good will roll out its Maple Smoked Salt Latte -- sounds pretty perfect.

In the meantime, their Brown Sugar Sea Salt Latte and Sea Salt Cocoa Latte are in a way odes to fall (plus, they're sold year-round).

Locations: 217 N. Main St., 3010 Washtenaw Ave. #111, 1335 S. University 

Mighty Good Coffee on Main St. (Photo: Meredith Bruckner)

Bearclaw Coffee Co.

I love this funky drive-thru coffee joint.

Pumpkin Pie Latte is all the rage right now at Bearclaw.

Coming Christmastime: Eggnog Latte. My tip: If you like your coffee less sweet, ask for half-eggnog, half-milk. 

Location: 2460 Washtenaw Ave.

Zingerman's Coffee Co.

Zingerman's is featuring their version of chai-der, a special fall blend and their take on the PSL.

See their descriptions of the yummy creations below:

September Barista Creation: Apple Cider Chai
"A lot of folks spice their cider with one or two spices, typically a little cinnamon or clove, but we took our spice game to a whole new level with Rishi Tea's Masala Chai. The warm cider really comes alive when mingled with this flavorful riot of black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, clove, and vanilla."

Credit: Pexels

October: "Roaster's Pick" limited-time coffee: Tree Town Blend
"This time of year in Ann Arbor, the leaves of the trees change to show beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows.  We were inspired to create a coffee blend that sparkles with complexity and an ever-changing panorama of flavor. This coffee is a blend of Brazil, Tanzania, Myanmar, & Kenya beans, thoughtfully combined to bring out Fall flavors. Tasting notes: caramel, stone fruit, and cocoa. Complex and juicy."

October Barista Creation: Pumpkin Spice Latte 
"Not your basic latte! Our signature PSL contains real pumpkin and an invigorating house blend of allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, and clove. It’s not officially Autumn until you’ve had one!"

Amen.

Location: 3723 Plaza Dr. #5

The Songbird Cafe

Let me just say that Songbird is bringing it this season.

Try their Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte.

New this year: Chamomile Blossom Latte using homemade syrup, steamed milk and espresso. 

Pair it with their ridiculously-delicious-sounding Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake (right?), Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Bars or frosted Pumpkin Dirty Chai Cake, which rotates on the menu.

Location: 2707 Plymouth Road, 2891 Jackson Ave.

Photo: Pexels

Argus Farm Stop

One of the best darn pumpkin spice lattes I've ever tasted. No joke.

The reason? The syrup is all natural and is made by local chocolatier Sweet Gem Confections. That's right, no fake syrup here. The pumpkin is real.

True to its mission, all of its products are locally made whenever possible.

Argus also serves up hot cider featuring Kapnicks Cider. Their hot teas are made by Arbor Teas, coffee by RoosRoast and Hyperion and milk from Calder Dairy.

Locations: 325 W. Liberty Rd., 1200 Packard St.

Photo: Meredith Bruckner

Cafe Verde

From delicious, warm spiced cider to a variety of flavored coffee, Cafe Verde is one of my favorite places to grab a hot drink and a pastry.

Location: 214 N. 4th Ave. #1 (People's Food Co-op)

Michigan Creamery

OK, so this may be floating the line since it is an ice cream shop that serves coffee, but they can steam up caramel, salted caramel and cinnamon lattes that can be served alongside their cinnamon churro and caramel apple ice creams.

My personal favorite flavor -- pumpkin -- is available now.

Now, in the words of the famous British poets who donned baby doll dresses and offensively chunky platforms in the '90s, go "Spice Up Your Life!"

Location: 302 S. State St.

Like what you're reading? Sign up for our email newsletter here