The Fall Drink More Popular Than Pumpkin Spice — Here Are the Best Ways to Try It

For years, there’s been one fall drink that reigns supreme: Nothing could top the pumpkin spice latte. Whether served over ice or steaming hot, it was the sole drink driving the fall-inspired flavor frenzy. This year? Well, things are starting to change.

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Forget about pumpkin spice-infused coffee and coffee-based drinks. According to internet search data, people are looking for a new autumnal drink. And this one isn’t orange or pumpkin-y; it’s green, earthy, and oh-so-trendy.

Up until last year, pumpkin spice lattes led Google searches, earning it the title of the top-searched seasonal drink in 48 out of 50 states. This year? 2026 is seeing interest in pumpkin spice disappear, and the famed latte is now only the top-searched sip in three states. It’s being usurped by matcha lattes, which are now the top-searched drink in 29 states.

It shouldn’t be a surprise. Matcha tea has been skyrocketing in popularity, and even though temperatures are cooling and the leaves are changing, people are only growing more interested in seasonal spins on the iconic green beverage. So, if you’re turning your back on pumpkin spice this year and want something fresh, check out these matcha-based options that’ll have you in an autumn mood.

Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha

If you’re a longtime Pumpkin Spice Latte fan, you’re going to want to try the Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha that’s on the fall menu at Starbucks this year. It takes the familiar flavors of the iconic Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and blends them with matcha, creating a final result that’s light green, orange, and finished with plenty of cream.

The Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha is pretty to look at, yes, but more importantly it offers surprisingly balanced flavors. Pumpkin and matcha both lean earthy, but the warm fall-inspired spices you already know and love from traditional pumpkin spice products add a touch of spiciness. 

Together, the flavors blend with the included cream for a velvety-smooth final product that’ll have you impressed. Neither the matcha nor the pumpkin overpowers the drink, making it a middle ground choice for those who want something fresh and yet still familiar.

Marshmallow Tiramisu Matcha

Want to combine matcha with a dessert? Head to Dunkin’ this fall, where you’ll be able to order the Marshmallow Tiramisu Matcha. Like the rest of Dunkin’s dessert-inspired autumnal drinks, the Marshmallow Tiramisu Matcha combines the colorful green tea with tiramisu-flavored syrup, which lends a rich, indulgent, and creamy flavor profile. You’ll get even more irresistible sweetness thanks to the addition of marshmallow-flavored cold foam on top and a touch of hot chocolate powder, making it cozy and worthy of enjoying at the end of any meal.

Wondering how matcha’s natural earthiness blends with so much sweetness? Well, the sweeter elements of marshmallow and tiramisu are certainly strong, but the final result is surprisingly well-blended. You won’t find that any one flavor takes over the drink. Rather, it’s almost like a creamier, sweeter spin on matcha.

So, if you’re someone who’s been on the fence about giving trendy matcha drinks a try, this is a good one to start with.

Iced Banana Bread Matcha Latte

Sure, pumpkin and apple might be the traditional flavors of fall, but this year banana is popping up everywhere — including in lattes and other coffee- and tea-based drinks. And after trying an Iced Banana Bread Matcha Latte myself from Maui Matcha recently, I’m firmly in the camp of “banana is a fall flavor.” 

You can try an Iced Banana Bread Matcha Latte from a number of coffee shops, including both large chains and local establishments. Starbucks has one on its menu, and so too does Blank Street. No matter where you pick one up from, this matcha drink blends the powder with flavors  of banana (obviously!), cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s slightly sweet, but the banana itself leans subtle. And the cinnamon and nutmeg feel very much inspired by those traditionally warm fall spices a la pumpkin spice. 

I prefer my Banana Bread Lattes iced, but you can also pick one up hot when the weather starts changing.