Meet Starbucks' Newest Vegan Fall Drink, the Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso

The holidays have come early—at least for plant-based folks. Starbucks just unveiled its

first seasonal beverage of the year: the Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso. And though we love the company's

pumpkin-flavored drinks—and patiently await the day when they, too, are dairy-free—it's nothing short of a must-try.

Now available to order at all locations, the

Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso truly has it all. It combines Starbucks' beloved blonde espresso with "notes of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar." It's then topped with oat milk.

"The warm, gooey taste of apple crisp paired with a cup of coffee melds perfectly to unveil a cozy beverage customers have come to know and love at Starbucks each Fall," says Billy Altieri, Starbucks' beverage developer. "The new Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso features creamy oat milk that perfectly complements the light roast flavors of Starbucks Blonde Espresso."

This

oat milk-first variation marks a win for vegans and those who

eschew dairy for environmental or dietary reasons, and is in keeping with the burgeoning trend of chains expanding menus to include options for the plant-based set (think

McDonald's McPlant Burger and Burger King's collaborations with

Impossible Foods).

Far from mere virtue signaling, incorporating vegan options into highly recognizable corporations increases both awareness and accessibility, serving our health and

that of our planet. The dairy industry is responsible for 

2% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and 

144 gallons of water are needed in the U.S. to produce a single gallon of milk.

Considering that Starbucks is working to

halve emissions by 2030, and that data shows around 22% of Starbucks’ overall emissions come from dairy, putting alternative milk first seems like a great (and delicious) place to start.

While the Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso is the latest addition to Starbucks' fall 2023 menu, the brand offers a selection of drinks that can be doctored to suit your

plant-based tastes. Here, some autumnal beverages to try without the dairy.

Last year, Starbucks introduced its first-ever vegan fall beverage: the

Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato. Available in warm and iced iterations, it's meant to evoke feelings of nostalgia, the sort that comes with the wafting scent of apple pie. The offering is a macchiato, or an espresso (more specifically, Starbucks Blonde Espresso) topped with a creamy oatmilk foam, finished with a spiced apple drizzle.

A long-loved Starbucks classic, the Caramel can be recreated by opting for steamed apple juice with pumps of caramel and cinnamon dolce syrup.

Available hot or iced, the London Fog's on-menu 2% milk is easily exchanged for an alternative option with no sacrifice in taste.

This spiced seasonal favorite is easily vegan-ified: Simply request your preferred alternative milk and trade out the whip and cinnamon dolce topping for a sprinkling of cinnamon.