Some are incensed, some are ecstatic. Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte is back early from vacation as of today (though not without much ado, including challenges). No need to reach for your calendar—you’re right, it’s still the middle of August. Perhaps you’ve already got a PSL in hand, but some of you may be thinking of boycotting it until at least October. If you are, fear not: there are plenty of summer option left to try while the weather’s still smiling down on us. Below are five of our picks.
1. Iced Irish Cream Latte: Whistler, BC, has a winter reputation, but it’s one of the most beautiful places in the PNW to visit during summer. If you go, swing by Moguls Coffee House for something tastier than a Ski Lift and cooler than its mountaintop surroundings—the iced Irish cream latte. || Moguls Coffee House, Whistler, BC
2. Huckleberry Latte: Wild Joe’s in Bozeman, Mont., has constructed a beautiful and expansive latte menu encompassing everything from the fast-trending Australian version of the latte, the “flat white” (ristretto shots folded into a pillow of whole milk microfoam) to goat’s milk lattes. Then they’ve got a truly seasonal summer specialty—all-naturally flavored huckleberry lattes, offered hot or iced. || Wild Joe’s Coffeespot, Bozeman, MT
3. Candied Cherry Latte: Cozy in the winter but with a breezy patio for summer, A Muddy Cup specializes in lattes for all seasons, switching their chalkboard sign up every few days with flavors from Peaches & Cream to Bananas Flambé to “Buzzinga.” Currently, Candied Cherry sounds most intriguing. || A Muddy Cup, Seattle
4. S’mores Latte: It sounds awfully like a mocha-leaning creation, but as little espresso stand Mojo’s markets this one as a latte we’re willing to share it as such. Besides, what’s more summery than S’mores? | Mojo’s Coffee, Bonners Ferry, Idaho
5. Iced Matcha Latte: Just Matcha specializes in one thing, and I bet you can guess what it is. As such this tea shop and café, based just outside of Victoria, BC in little Oak Bay, is about the best place to go for a wide selection of premium powdered matcha teas, matcha-infused products (think matcha brownies and truffle-like Lemon-Lavender Matcha “Mojo Balls”) and kelly green matcha tea lattes, hot or iced. | Just Matcha, Oak Bay, BC
