Fall is finally here! As a result, our taste buds are surely ready for some cozy beverages. Starbucks and other coffee stores are preparing for the season filled with decorations, delicious snacks, and, of course, drinks. As soon as restaurants start to announce their new fall menu, many of us scramble to get our hands on the ‘hottest’ drink. Usually, it’s the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL).
Starbucks introduced the PSL in 2003, and the drink became a sensation gradually. After a decade, Starbucks sold more than 200 million PSLs, which generated around $100 million in revenue over a season. The PSL became a cultural phenomenon and was frequently associated with fall weather.
However, the PSL also faced its fair share of criticism. After Starbucks released the drink on August 25, 2020, consumers criticized the brand for launching the beverage before the start of the fall season. Others argued the drink did not contain actual pumpkin, and as a matter of fact, Starbucks never added pumpkin into the drink until 2015. Moreover, some people hated the flavor of pumpkin in general and wanted to purchase a sweeter beverage.
For those who have a sweet tooth and are curious to try out a new recipe, Unwritten has got you covered. Instead of going to Starbucks and ordering a PSL, why not make a Red Velvet Latte at home? Here are 4 reasons why!
1. Red Velvet flavor has existed way before Pumpkin Spice.
The earliest mention of ‘pumpkin spice’ flavoring was in 1936 in a Pumpkin Spice Cakes’ recipe. Meanwhile, Velvet cakes had existed since the 1800s. Although the ‘red velvet’ flavor was first labeled by Irma S. Rombauer in 1943, the flavor and design were unnamed for decades. Wouldn’t it be better to try a drink with more history behind it? Besides, the flavor for red velvet cakes is definitely richer than pumpkin spice cakes. The same can be said about the drink.
2. Red velvet latte is easier to make with at-home ingredients.
While the PSL requires a bunch of nutmegs, extract, spices, and cinnamon, the red velvet latte recipe only contains milk, sugar, chocolate, food coloring, extract, and coffee. Therefore, if you’re a beginner barista facing a time crunch, making a red velvet latte will be much easier and less tedious. After brewing the coffee, you’ll be out the door (or the kitchen) with a red velvet latte in no time! Just click here for a recipe.
3. The red velvet latte is less offered in stores.
PSLs are usually associated with restaurants and stores. After Starbucks introduced them to the market, other brands including Tim Hortons have also added the beverage to its seasonal offerings. On the other hand, the red velvet latte is less frequently offered in stores. Sure, Dunkin did introduce a similar seasonal drink, but compared to the pumpkin spice latte, the red velvet latte is not as prevalent on the menu. Even though this can be perceived negatively, fewer store offerings for certain products can actually be more beneficial. Since there aren’t as many red velvet lattes in stores, consumers can make the beverage at home and customize it in their own way.
4. The red velvet latte is much more unique and innovative.
I mean, how often do you visit a store and see a drink named after the ‘red velvet’ dessert? Compared to pumpkin spice drinks, the numbers (I guarantee you) are, more often than not, lower. Hence, the flavor itself is much more unique and can be remembered in our minds dearly when we first try it out. Since you rarely see a red velvet latte, you might as well enjoy the most out of your experience when actually tasting it.
Are you ready to make your first Red Velvet Latte? Go ahead and give it a shot. Purchase some ingredients and be ready to use your inner barista knowledge to make a delicious, remarkable drink. Even though ‘Red Velvet’ is usually associated with Valentine’s Day, the drink can symbolize the fall just as well. Just think of the red leaf colors present in forests and parks as the season begins. Pumpkin Spice may be many people’s go-to autumn drink, but the red velvet flavor may take the lead very soon. After all, we do need some sweetness to stay awake during a domiciled autumn.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
