Regardless of what the calendar says, fall officially starts as soon as the Pumpkin Spice Latte comes back. It’s one of the main indicators that sweater weather is upon us — even if it lands in the middle of near 100-degree temperatures while we’re still sporting board shorts and tank tops. As much as we love the iconic autumnal flavor, though, it appears that we could be shifting away from pumpkin spice into a new era of cozy fall flavors, and McDonald’s is leading the charge. This year, instead of doing the expected, Mickey D’s is going all in on Caramel Apple Pie.
Now, we know what you’re thinking, and yes, that does mean you’ll have to grab your PSL elsewhere, but who says pumpkin gets to hog the spotlight? Caramel Apple Pie deserves to have its main character moment too, and to prove it, McDonald’s is making it the one and only flavor in its fall lineup. According to a McDonald’s Menu Spotter website, the new flavor is “a mix of apple and caramel flavoring” that can be added to any of the brand’s coffee preparations, including iced coffee, hot or iced lattes, and frappes.
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Each beverage is finished with salted caramel-flavored whipped cream and apple pie crumbles for an indulgent take on the classic fall flavor. As far as why the brand chose to opt out of participating in pumpkin spice mania this year, a spokesperson for McDonald’s says, “We chose Caramel Apple Pie because it offers a fresh take on the familiar tastes of fall — and one we think fans will fall in love with.” It’s a bold move that could potentially pay off.
What’s even more interesting is that McDonald’s isn’t alone in choosing to spotlight flavors other than pumpkin this year. While Dunkin’ will still offer pumpkin as one of its main flavors, it’s also adding tiramisu to its lineup, giving fans a dessert-inspired alternative to the heavily spiced fall staple. Even smaller coffee shops like Little Joy Coffee in Northfield, Minnesota, are shirking the trend in innovative and exciting ways.
Could this be a watershed moment for the icon that is the Pumpkin Spice Latte? Probably not. Pumpkin spice is definitely here to stay, but it’s nice to see brands thinking outside the box. You can grab McDonald’s new Caramel Apple Pie beverages now at participating locations for a limited time.
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