Is It Fall Yet? Ranking Drinks by How Emotionally Ready They Are

Some people mark the start of fall by the calendar. Others by the first time they see a leaf on the ground. At Second Best Coffee, we know the real sign of seasonal change isn’t the weather, it’s the drink in your hand.

Because let’s be honest: your beverage choice says a lot about where you are in your seasonal journey. Are you clinging to iced coffee like summer vacation isn’t over? Or are you already stocking up on decorative gourds and watching Hocus Pocus on repeat?

We’ve taken the liberty of ranking some of our favorite drinks from “Still on summer break” to “Has already decorated for Halloween.”

1. Iced Latte – Still on Summer Break

The iced latte is the ultimate denial drink. It’s sunny. It’s 85 degrees. You’re still wearing sandals. You are not ready to admit that in two weeks you’ll be buried in sweaters and smelling like cinnamon.

This drink says: “I have SPF in my bag, a farmer’s market tote in my trunk, and I will absolutely sit on the patio today, thank you very much.” It’s a drink for those who refuse to acknowledge that pumpkin-flavored things exist until October 1st… at the earliest.

Bonus points if you’re drinking it in shorts while pretending your goosebumps are just “aesthetic.”

2. Cold Brew – Labor Day Weekend Mindset

Cold brew is iced latte’s slightly more serious sibling. You’ve accepted that fall might happen soon, but you’re not surrendering yet. You’re still sun-soaked in your heart, but maybe you’ve started thinking about buying candles that smell like “Crisp Autumn Air” (whatever that means).

Cold brew drinkers are practical; they know caffeine hits harder when you’ve got 5,000 autumn activities planned. But they’re also sentimental, taking one last lap around summer before the leaves start crunching.

If iced latte is vacation mode, cold brew is the Sunday evening before you go back to school.

3. Matcha Latte – The Seasonal Fence-Sitter

Matcha lives in the liminal space between iced coffee and a chai latte. You could be in July. You could be in November. Who’s to say?

Matcha drinkers aren’t rushing the seasons; they’re gliding gracefully from one to the next. Maybe your matcha is iced with a splash of vanilla - summer mode. Or maybe it’s hot, with oat milk and a cozy sweater - fall mode unlocked.

Matcha is Switzerland in the seasonal war: neutral, adaptable, and very Instagrammable in every month.

4. Hot Latte – Soft Launching Fall

A hot latte is the first sign you’re testing the fall waters. You’ve decided you might be okay with a little chill in the air. You’re not ready for the big cinnamon-sugar commitment yet, but you’re open to trying.

This drink says: “I bought a light cardigan and a decorative pumpkin for my desk.” You might still be holding off on switching your closet over to full sweater storage, but you’re inching closer every day.

It’s fall-curious energy, and we respect it.

5. Chai Latte – Already Browsing Halloween Decor

Chai latte drinkers know what they want, and it’s fall vibes, now. You’re probably wearing boots. You definitely have a cozy playlist. You may or may not be hoarding those little ceramic pumpkins from Target.

A chai latte is the drink equivalent of lighting a candle called “Pumpkin Woods” and sighing contentedly as it burns. You don’t care that it’s technically still 80 degrees outside because you’ve mentally moved into autumn and there’s no going back.

Bonus: Chai is equally delicious iced or hot, making it a versatile gateway to full-on spooky season.

6. Pumpkin Spice Latte – Has Already Decorated for Halloween

There’s no subtlety here, you’ve gone full fall. PSL drinkers are not seasonal tourists. They are seasonal residents. You’ve stocked up on pumpkin bread, bought new flannel, and already rewatched Gilmore Girls at least once.

The PSL is a mood, a lifestyle, a statement. It’s the moment you stop tiptoeing around fall and cannonball straight into it. You are unapologetically embracing the season’s clichés, and honestly? We love you for it.

If someone asks, “Isn’t it a little early for that?” you just smile knowingly. It’s never too early.

7. Hot Chocolate – Full Fall, Headed for Winter

Okay, technically hot chocolate is a winter drink, but when you order it in late summer/early fall, it’s a declaration: you are all in. You’ve skipped right over the pumpkin gateway and gone straight for the snow-covered cottage fantasy.

Hot chocolate drinkers have probably already bought candy for trick-or-treaters. They’re making simmer pots. They might even have a Hallmark movie on in the background.

This drink isn’t “emotionally ready” for fall, it’s already emotionally married to it.

8. Mulled Cider – Living in a Tim Burton Film

We know, we know, this isn’t technically a coffee drink. But it earns a spot on the list because nothing says “It’s fall” like holding a steaming cup of spiced cider while pretending you live in a quaint village where the town square is always decorated.

Mulled cider drinkers don’t just embrace fall; they create an entire personal brand around it. They own multiple scarves. They probably have a vintage camera. And yes, they have strong opinions about which Halloween movie is the best one to watch in October.

The Official Seasonal Readiness Scale

Here’s how it all shakes out:

Still on Summer Break
☀️ Iced Latte

Labor Day Weekend Mindset
🌞 Cold Brew

Seasonal Fence-Sitter
🍵 Matcha Latte

Soft Launching Fall
☕ Hot Latte

Already Browsing Halloween Decor
🍂 Chai Latte

Has Already Decorated for Halloween
🎃 Pumpkin Spice Latte

Full Fall, Headed for Winter
❄️ Hot Chocolate

Living in a Tim Burton Film
🍎 Mulled Cider

So… Is It Fall Yet?

The truth is, the answer depends on your cup. Whether you’re clinging to summer with your iced latte or staging your own autumn photo shoot with a chai in hand, there’s no wrong way to sip through the seasons.

At Second Best Coffee, we’re here for all of it. The sun-drenched patio days, the rainy mornings with a hot drink, the first frosty breath outside.

So next time you’re at the counter, ask yourself: How emotionally ready am I for fall? Then order accordingly.

And if you’re ready to skip straight to “decorated for Halloween” status… well, we’ve got the PSL ready when you are.