A variety of medical studies have found that coffee actually has some impressive health benefits. That’s good news for those of us who are going to drink it either way. Today, on National Coffee Day, I thought I would devote a hot minute to a discussion of coffee and, in particular, seasonal vegan coffee beverages.
Now, it is important to note that some of the benefits of coffee on your health disappear if you overindulge, or if your coffee is frequently/always full of fat and sugar. Taking the animal fat out of the equation is helpful, but sugar is still something to keep an eye on. Still, sometimes, you might want coffee that feels a little more like a dessert. And at this time of year, that brings to mind the ever popular PSL (pumpkin spice latte).
If you are in the U.K. and some other locations, you can get the vegan version of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks this year. In the U.S. that isn’t available yet, but there is no shortage of yummy seasonal drinks! Here are a few examples:
Starbucks
Salted Caramel Mocha Latte – Substitute mocha sauce for caramel sauce, skip the whip, and ask for non-dairy milk
Cinnamon Dolce Latte – Ask for non-dairy milk and skip the sprinkled topping and the whipped cream
Peet’s
Pumpkin Latte – Can be made all vegan, including the whipped cream! What? Truth
Vanilla Cardamom Lattee – Just ask for non-dairy milk (and/or whip) Doesn’t that sound amazing?
Your Local Coffee Shop
Frequently, smaller coffee shops can do some serious seasonal magic, so check in with your local shop and see what they have going on. I bet they can whip you up something seriously amazing. The one nearest me (Groovegound Coffeebar) can make a vegan Pumpkin Spice latte with non-dairy milk and pumpkin spice syrup and a gingerbread latte, along with other seasonally interesting options!
If a PSL is what you really want, and you can’t find a place near you that can make one, Califa, Silk, and Almond Dream all have Pumpkin Spice non-dairy creamers to add to your own coffee or espresso. Throw on a little pumpkin spice (McCormick, Frontier, and other brands make them) and you are ready to go!