Try 5: Where to try metro Atlanta fall drinks that aren’t pumpkin spice lattes

The Cayenne Honey Latte from Finca to Filter. / Courtesy of Finca to Filter

The Cayenne Honey Latte from Finca to Filter. / Courtesy of Finca to Filter

Pumpkin spice lattes are ubiquitous, once the first hint of a chill hits the air. But, if you’ve had your fill of PSLs, as some call them, here are some alternatives offered at metro Atlanta coffee shops.

Finca to Filter

Although it just launched in March, Finca to Filter already has a loyal customer base with its counter inside Wild Heaven West End. (Kayla Bellman and Jean Arnold’s business also pops up at several metro farmers markets.)

You can warm up with one of the store’s fall drinks, including the rosemary Earl Grey latte, made with rosemary syrup, from local cocktail mixer company Proof, and Earl Grey tea, providing “a nice, mellow touch of herbs,” Bellman said.

Another favorite is the cayenne honey latte, made with locally sourced honey, organic cayenne, simple syrup and espresso from coffee roaster Portrait Coffee.

The shop also holds community events, like the Fall Fest Block Party, 4-8 p.m. Oct. 16-17 and Oct. 23-24.

1010 White St., Atlanta. fincatofilter.coffee

The chaider from Gilly Brew Bar uses fresh cider blended with masala chai. Courtesy of Gilly Brew Bar

Credit: Mary Claire Stewart

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Credit: Mary Claire Stewart

Gilly Brew Bar

Daniel Brown’s Gilly Brew Bar has been slinging seasonal tea and coffee drinks in its Stone Mountain location since 2018.

While the shop hasn’t yet released its list of fall elixirs, the chaider is in its second year on the menu.

It uses fresh cider, made in-house with apples, pears, fresh apple juice, brown sugar and spices, as its base. The cider is blended with masala chai for a drink that’s a little sweet and a little spicy.

5329 Mimosa Drive, Stone Mountain. 770-557-1614, gillybrewbar.com

The Maple Fig Latte from Peach Coffee Roasters. / Courtesy of Peach Coffee Roasters

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Peach Coffee Roasters

Cafe manager Emma Roberts comes up with Peach Coffee Roasters’ seasonal drinks, which this year includes a spiced maple fig latte, inspired by the desire to create a healthier version of a tasty dessert.

To make the drink, Roberts crushes figs into a syrup solution, along with organic maple syrup, which then is combined with oat milk and espresso, made with the roastery’s Georgia 400 blend.

Besides the Johns Creek location, Peach Coffee Roasters also is inside the Sid and Ann Mashburn store in the Westside Provisions District. The Johns Creek store will hold its Peachapalooza, featuring special drinks and bites, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 2.

10875 Jones Bridge Road, Johns Creek. 770-360-9071; 1198 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. peachcoffeeroasters.com

Sessions Stand

This walk-up-only coffee shop, just off the Marietta Square, has developed a following for its coffee drinks, made with beans from local Rev Roasters, as well as its house-made pastries.

The shop’s fall drinks can be served hot or cold, and include campfire cherry mocha, maple cinnamon pecan, snickerdoodle, black currant thyme and pumpkin pie dirty chai.

The cherry mocha latte is where hickory smoke syrup meets cherries and dark chocolate. The smoke makes the chocolate taste toasty (think the chocolate in a s’more), balanced by the addition of cherries.

380 N. Sessions St., Marietta. sessions-stand.square.site

The Witch’s Brew Stomach Soother from Three Peaches Gelato and Coffee is a blend of dried ginger root, honey and maple, with a pour over of espresso and choice of milk. Courtesy of Three Peaches Gelato and Coffee

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Three Peaches Gelato and Coffee

There are plenty of handmade, nondairy gelatos to cool you off at Kendra Bauser’s Three Peaches, in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market.

But, when there’s a chill in the air, stop in and warm up with one of the shop’s fall superfood lattes. The Witch’s Brew Stomach Soother is a blend of dried ginger root, honey and maple, with a pour over of espresso and choice of milk, meant to keep the tummy scaries at bay. And, the Diablo Hell in a Cup is a metabolism-boosting combination of raw cacao, cayenne pepper, dark chocolate and cinnamon, with coffee and milk.

There’s also the Incan Gold, which Bowser said is an “antioxidant treasure trove,” and the Treasure Island, made with Fountain of Youth MCT oil.

209 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta. 404-956-4649, 3peachesgelato.com

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