By Makena Reyes
In the world of small suburban towns, the Fall season is a holiday in itself. Benicia is no exception. In the months of September through November, local bakeries, cafes, and soda shops prepare to introduce seasonal menu items that bring the taste of the Autumn season. Flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, apple, and ginger are most commonly present as businesses such as One House Bakery, Dirty Pop, and Majestic Cafe. As trends of sweet drinks continue to circulate, popularizing specially flavored lattes and mixed sodas, Benicia businesses adapt accordingly.
During the season, it’s not only exciting to try the concoctions of Benicia’s local institutions, but also to see the creative processes these businesses go through to experiment with different flavors, trying to find something that appeals to Benicia. Benicia’s very own Dirty Pop has created a menu of Fall specific drinks, with owner Perry Bergerson giving insight into the process behind creating these drinks, “[We used] a lot of TikTok inspo, trial and error and just mixing up different things,” Dirty Pop crafts drinks such as “Sweater Weather Cider Float,” containing rich apple cider combined with fosters soft serve ice cream, or for a carbonated treat, they offer their “Scream Soda,” made up of cream and rootbeer sodas, and toasted marshmallow cold foams.
In addition to adding Fall beverages to their menu, One House Bakery takes its seasonal menu beyond drinks, by offering an Autumn exclusive Pumpkin Cheesecake Loaf, combining flavors of pumpkin, candied ginger, and spiced butter all baked into a rich loaf of bread that can be enjoyed alongside their selection of Fall coffees. Contrasting from the chilled sodas and floats that Dirty Pop offers, Majestic Cafe offers hot lattes with tastes of pumpkin spice, butterbeer, and pistachio; ensuring a broad collection of Fall-themed options. Benicia High Student Katerina Rodionov, says she enjoys the iced pumpkin latte from the cafe, describing that the beverage encapsulates Fall well, with flavors of pumpkin and spices.
So, whether you are looking for an iced and bubbly beverage or a cozy hot latte, Benicia businesses have prepared to utilize all of the best flavors that Fall has to offer.
