Few things signal fall quite like the aromatic mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ginger. Sure, there are leaf-peeping drives and corn maze meanders to celebrate the season. But when it comes down to it, pumpkin spice is the true herald of autumn’s much-anticipated arrival.
While some may say that nothing compares to a certain big-name latte, the Hudson Valley holds its own on the pumpkin spice front. Here are a few local products to satiate your #PumpkinSpice cravings.
Boba Tea, Tea Talk
Poughkeepsie
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Bubble tea is a year-round treat, but Tea Talk brings delicious options for fall flavors. The Poughkeepsie spot emulates the delicious qualities of pumpkin pie in a house special. For the base, Tea Talk uses green chai tea to bring subtle spice. Then a combination of taro milk, Thai milk, and a dash of nutmeg creates a real winner. Drink this hot for maximum coziness or add classic tapioca boba pearls to the iced version.
Candies, Samuel’s Sweet Shop
Rhinebeck
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This sweet shop is famous for Paul Rudd and its samplers, so naturally we had to include the Autumn Candycopia Sampler. Pumpkin spice malted milk balls and red apple caramels are among the six expertly paired sweets that combine to be a perfect distillation of fall in candy form.
Coffee, Donuts, and Ice Cream, Stewart’s Shops
Locations throughout the Hudson Valley
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The Hudson Valley’s favorite convenience store doesn’t disappoint when it comes to fall flavors. The family-owned chain delights with pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin donuts, and two pumpkin ice cream flavors: pumpkin pie and “Pumpkin to Talk About,” a pumpkin-cheesecake swirl with churro pieces. While you’re there, try out the apple cider donuts, apple fritters, and apple spice muffins, too.
Maple Syrup, Finding Home Farms
Middletown
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You may have seen Finding Home Farms’ maple syrup on store shelves around the Hudson Valley, but did you know the Orange County farm does a pumpkin spice version, too? This syrup is the perfect blend of cinnamon and maple flavors, which means it’s pretty much everything you could ask for to make fall breakfasts better. Pro tip: Take your a.m. spread to the next level by pairing this syrup with a tall stack of pumpkin pancakes or waffles.
Pumpkin Spiced Latte Cupcakes, The Cakery
Fishkill
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When it comes to cupcakes, The Cakery has the perfect formula for pretty much every flavor you could crave. This fall, the Fishkill sweet shop brings it with pumpkin spiced latte, Nutella cream cheese pumpkin, pumpkin, white chocolate pumpkin, and pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes. Not enough pumpkin for you? The Cakery also does the flavor in cake pop and regular cake form.
Tea, Harney & Sons
Millerton
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Not a coffee drinker? Never fear! Harney & Sons is here to save the day with its signature pumpkin spice tea. The herbal red bush tea is heavy on the spice, so be prepared for flavorful sips of cinnamon and clove. The tea experts also offer a CBD pumpkin spice tea. The loose-leaf pumpkin essence blended with Harney & Sons homegrown CBD hemp extract pairs excellently with oat milk and a dash of honey. Both teas pour out as a bright red, making a tasty companion on crisp fall days.
Pumpkin Spice Latte, Iron Gate Café
Albany
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What is fall without a classic pumpkin coffee? Iron Gate Café’s menu is studded with traditional autumn gems, from soups to entrees. The extensive drink menu includes a pumpkin sweet cream cold brew, served iced with your choice of milk, which is the perfect accompaniment to a fall meal.
Pumpkin Spice Latte, Ready Coffee Co.
LaGrange, Newburgh, Wappingers Falls
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In addition to its stellar lineup of craft coffees and smoothies, Ready Coffee brings all the fall feels with its seasonal drink menu. While the pumpkin spice latte is a must for PSL lovers, the brown sugar cinnamon latte and salted caramel mocha are worthy sips when you’ve finally imbibed all the pumpkin you can handle.Â
Pumpkin Cookies, Halfsies Cookie Company
Marlboro
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Known for its over-the-top cookies, Halfsies hits a home run with its seasonal pumpkin flavors. Your best bet for scoring a cookie pack is to follow the brand on Instagram, where it announces its limited-edition cookie drops. As for the flavors, keep an eye out for the company’s fall flavors, featuring pumpkin chocolate chip, peanut butter butterscotch chip, and maple pecan.Â
Related: Pumpkins Offer a Wealth of Health Benefits in the Hudson Valley