Dish with Gish: KC coffee shops brew twists on the Pumpkin Spice Latte

In the fall of 2003, Starbucks introduced a new latte that tasted like pumpkin pie in a cup.

Twelve years later, the Pumpkin Spice Latte has become synonymous with fall for many coffee lovers. The nutmeg-, cinnamon- and clove-spiked espresso drink has inspired a popular hashtag (#PSL) and hundreds of pumpkin spice products, from Oreos and Twinkies to chewing gum, candles and lip balm.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte, which is typically available September through December, has also become Starbucks’ best-selling seasonal coffee drink, with more than 200 million sold. It’s no wonder that local coffee shops are brewing their own autumnal lattes.

I’m a fan of the Pumpkin Caramel Latte ($3.50-$4.50, depending on size) at Parisi Artisan Coffee, which has cafes at 5245 W. 116th Place in Leawood and inside Union Station at 30 W. Pershing Road. The seasonal drink mellows strong espresso with steamed milk and house-made caramel sauce infused with spiced and roasted pumpkins that are harvested locally. The caramel highlights the bold, roasty flavor of the espresso, which stands out in the not-too-sweet seasonal drink.

For a slightly sweeter take on the #PSL, go to The Roasterie Café, which has locations at 6223 Brookside Blvd. in Brookside, 1204 W. 27th St. in the Crossroads Arts District, and 4511 W. 119th St. in Leawood. The Roasterie’s Pumpkin Spice Latte blends the coffee roaster’s Super Tuscan espresso with steamed milk and Monin Pumpkin Spice Syrup, which is sweetened with sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. The drink costs $3.59 to $5.09 depending on the size and, depending on the barista who makes it, occasionally comes with a jack-o’-lantern drawn in the milk foam. It’s available year-round.

Crows Coffee, 304 E. 51st St., serves a pleasantly spicy version of the PSL. Lead barista Kyle Weishaar flavors the Messenger espresso drink with organic pumpkin puree, brown and white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. The cardamom has a lightly floral flavor that’s less assertive — but just as autumnal — as the traditional cloves. Crows Coffee’s Organic Pumpkin Spice Latte costs $3.70-$5.25 and will be available through the holidays.

Those who love sweet drinks might prefer the Pumpkin Caramel Latte ($4.60 for a 12-ounce cup) at Bizz & Weezy Confections, 1800 Baltimore Ave. in the Crossroads Arts District. The sweet shop makes the seasonal drink with espresso and syrup from Kaldi’s Coffee. It tastes almost as decadent as Bizz & Weezy’s chocolate truffles and caramel apples.

Coffee drinkers who don’t want pumpkin mixed with their java should go straight to Second Best Coffee, 328 W. 85th St. in the Waldo neighborhood. The shop’s latest menu features an Autumn Latte ($3.50 for an 8-ounce cup or $4 for a 12-ounce cup) infused with dark brown sugar, cinnamon and freshly grated ginger. The warmth of the ginger is super-satisfying on a cold day.

Second Best Coffee also serves a fall drink called the Sage Gibraltar ($4). It contains less milk than a latte, so the flavor of the house-roasted espresso stands out. The sage- and honey-infused coffee cocktail is served in a glass with a sugared rim. Its light herbal flavor reminded me of Thanksgiving.

For a drink that evokes a cozy campfire, stop by Black Dog Coffeehouse for a Toasted Marshmallow Latte. The coffee shop at 12815 W. 87th Street Parkway in Lenexa makes the drink year-round with three flavored syrups: caramel, vanilla and Irish cream.

Black Dog Coffeehouse has also been experimenting with house-made spiced pear syrup, but it was fresh out of it when I was there on a recent Thursday. Who knows? Maybe the #SPL is the new #PSL.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "Dish with Gish: KC coffee shops brew twists on the Pumpkin Spice Latte."