13 fall drinks from NYC coffee shops that aren’t Pumpkin Spice Lattes

The Pumpkin Spice Latte — or “PSL,” as it’s called for short — was created by Starbucks and celebrates its 20th anniversary this fall. Thus we enter a third decade of polarization — some people love these limited-time beverages, while others hate the flavor and/or the basic attitude it stands for.

But why only pumpkin spice? Fall, perhaps more than any season, is full of strong aromas, and New York City’s coffee shops have bountiful options to make you feel like you’re sipping leaf-peeping. Here are eight cool spots across the city offering creative, caffeinated drinks that taste like fall, but aren’t PSLs.

Rhythm Zero

Part coffee shop, part community space, Greenpoint’s Rhythm Zero collaborates with locals to offer yoga sessions, art exhibitions, flower installations and social events in addition to creative coffee beverages in its carefully curated space. One fun drink on offer this fall:

Pear Brown Sugar Latte: Flavored with house-made brown sugar syrup, pear syrup, two shots of espresso, milk and a cinnamon garnish. ($7)

Felix Roasting Company

With three locations in Manhattan — NoHo, NoMad, and SoHo — this café is as much about upscale interior design as it is about elevated coffee beverages. High-end furnishings, luxury finishes, original murals and bespoke tile floors accompany Felix’s homemade non-dairy milks, syrups and tonics. One autumnal beverage that sounds delightful:

Hickory Smoked S’mores Latte: Espresso comes together with graham cracker milk (steeped for 24 hours) and a vanilla marshmallow, both made in-house, then garnished with a dark chocolate and hazelnut rim. ($15)

The Boogie Down Grind Cafe

Boogie Down Grind is a hip-hop themed café located in the South Bronx. It offers coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages in addition to art displays and…