This Is When You Can Get Starbuck's Chile Mocha

As both a caffeine addict and lover of all things spicy, I probably don't have to explain my level of excitement when I learned that Starbucks' was adding a new seasonal beverage to this year's lineup. Let me just say, my behavior (which I am not proud of) included hours of frantically Googling the question, "When can I get the Chile Mocha at Starbucks?" The answer: SOON (but of course, for true fans, not soon enough). As a big fan of Mexican hot chocolate, the thought of adding a few shots of espresso to one of my all-time favorite drinks has my interest hella piqued. Chile and chocolate are a match made in heaven, and I can only imagine that a hint of bitter espresso will give the drink the depth and edge that I crave.

Thankfully, I won't have to wait much longer to satisfy my tastebuds' curiosity. Starbucks is rolling out their seasonal menu items across the U.S. and Canada the day after Labor Day, September 6. That may not be the last day of summer according to the calendar, but in my book, when I can get my hands on a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Peppermint Mocha it's officially the start of Fall. My beanies and light jackets are finally coming out of storage, y'all!

If you simply can't wait to taste this spicy, chocolatey masterpiece, there may be a secret way to gain early access. Starbucks Rewards loyalty members will be able to try the Chile Mocha as early as September 3 (they also get early access to the PSL!), which is probably reason enough to join the club. When ordering the Chile Mocha, you can expect to shell out between $4.25 to $4.75 for a 12-ounce Tall, depending on demand during its limited run.

Behold the Chile Mocha, in all its glory:

When I sense the first chill in the air, I want a drink that will make me feel as warm and toasty as a well-worn holiday sweater. Inspired by the insane and lasting success of the PSL, the Chile Mocha is Starbucks' latest foray into the world of spice. They are melding traditional fall spices with bold flavors like cayenne and ancho chili pepper which will bring an unmistakable heat and tingle to your tongue. To make the Chile Mocha, baristas steam Starbucks' secret cocoa and spice blend with two percent milk, and drizzle the concoction with their freshly brewed espresso to give it that rich, caffeinated kick.

A Tall-sized drink will contain 80mg of caffeine — about the same as a normal latte, but less than a third the caffeine in a Tall brewed coffee. In its unaltered luxurious form, the drink is then topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with ancho chili pepper, cayenne chili pepper, sea salt, cinnamon, paprika, and sugar. Sooooo basically all my favorite things.

You can still enjoy the Chile Mocha before the temperature dips by ordering it iced or Frappuccino-style. Red cup season is upon us, and personally I can't wait to spice things up!

Images: Starbucks, giphy