8 Tim Horton's 2023 Fall Menu Items Ranked
Fall is the season for apple picking, pumpkin carving, and hearing the sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet. It's a time for fresh air, cool breezes, and family fun. But, as we run back and forth between Halloween parties and harvest gatherings, it's pretty easy to work up an appetite. Plus, to be totally honest, fall just doesn't feel the same without a tasty seasonal beverage and a unique snack. Enter Tim Horton's limited-time fall menu, with items ranging from pumpkin spice iced cappuccinos to sugared apple beignets.
The only problem? This year, the chain is offering so many options that it can be hard to choose. We headed to the nearest location and tried eight of Tim Horton's 2023 autumn menu items, and the truth is, not all were equally good — and the competition was not even close. For these rankings, we took into consideration flavor and texture to help you choose the perfect fall treat.
8. Everything twist
When it comes to food, we love pretty much everything, especially everything bagel seasoning – we are talking poppy seeds, sesame seeds, roasted garlic, toasted onions, and beyond! Because of this, we were looking forward to trying Tim Horton's Everything Twist. After all, it sounds like a fun fusion between an everything bagel and a puff pastry. Unfortunately, though, the everything twist was nothing like we imagined.
The first bite was abrasive and overly pungent. Apparently, our twist was burnt, giving off the strong bitter taste of overcooked garlic. In contrast to this powerful initial flavor, the dough was neutral and soft. However, rather than cutting the dominance of the garlic, the milder taste of the dough seemed to accentuate these stronger notes. As a result, the twist was decisively unpleasant.
To make matters worse, large drops of yellowish fat rolled out of the twist when it was removed from the bag. As a result, large greasy stains were left on the brown paper napkins. Visually, this situation did nothing to improve the snack's appeal. On the contrary, this questionable presentation maintained the overall impression that not much thought had been invested into the recipe.
7. Pumpkin spice cold brew
There's nothing like a nice cup of coffee to start your day, but Tim Horton's pumpkin spice cold brew might not be the way to go. As expected for a chilled drink, this autumn-themed cold brew comes with a bunch of ice cubes — which inevitably create issues of their own. They end up melting and watering down the beverage as a whole. In the end, this all but wipes out the pumpkin spice flavor, leaving you with a drink that lacks the fall theme that it promises.
Unfortunately, though, this is not the only issue with Tim Horton's pumpkin spice cold brew. It also has a powerful aftertaste that left much to be desired. Upon tasting this drink for the first time, we found that the initial flavor was sweet but that the main stretch of the sip lacked body. Afterward, though, we were punched with a strong burst of pumpkin that we were not entirely ready for. If anything, this aftertaste was a little bit bitter, detracting from the sugary initial sip.
6. Pumpkin spice iced latté
Because we are massive pumpkin spice fans, we had really high expectations for the pumpkin spice iced latté. Unfortunately, though, the flavor felt a little off. Although we generally love drinks that are subtly spiced, this drink lacked a punch. While the pumpkin flavor was evident, it seemed to linger in the background without ever really taking center stage. If anything, it was easier to taste the milk than it was any of the flavoring — or even the coffee. This made the drink difficult to connect with the autumn vibes that it supposedly represents.
To make matters worse, this problem becomes more evident with every sip. As we worked our way through this beverage, the ice cubes inevitably melted (yes, even in the chilly Canadian fall). At the end of the day, this phenomenon just diluted the drink even further. By the 20-minute mark, our iced latté was so watery that the former hint of pumpkin spice was nothing but a distant memory.
5. Four cheese twist
All in all, Tim Horton's four cheese twist was not bad. The soft stick of twisted dough had a thin grating of cheese on its upper layer, and when we took a bite, the taste was not at all unpleasant. Imagine a neutral doughy flavor with a strong cheddar finish. The twist is simple, to the point, and a good option for anyone who prefers a savory fall snack over something sweet.
The dough was fairly solid and had a soft, cloud-like texture that was easy to sink our teeth into. The main problem with this snack, though, is that nothing about it stands out. Because of its name, we assumed that we would be biting into a soft pastry layered with a thick coat of cheesy goodness. The reality, however, was totally different. Not only was the four cheese twist light on the cheese, but it lacked that gooey element that gives most cheese treats a bit of extra texture. Instead, we found that the twist was overall pretty bland. It was hard to taste four separate cheeses in the pastry. Instead, the cheddar element really took over, leaving us in the mood for something more substantial — like a grilled cheese sandwich.
4. Pumpkin spice muffin
Luckily, Tim Horton's fall menu items are not all questionable. Folks who love sweet treats will almost certainly fall in love with the pumpkin spice muffin. With its rich auburn color and pretty pumpkin seed topping, this amazing autumn snack looks fantastic — and it tastes just as good. The pumpkin spice flavors are bold without being overwhelming. The sweet taste combined with nutmeg and cinnamon fuse together to make the muffin the ultimate fall comfort food.
Beyond the dish's homey flavor, it offers an unexpectedly exciting texture. The dough itself is just soft enough that it practically begs you to sink your teeth into it. However, the muffin's exterior and interior elements stand in strong contrast to this fluffy feel. For one thing, the pumpkin seeds scattered on top give the muffin the occasional crunch, while the cream at the treat's core offers a gooey finish. The contrast between these three layers makes the muffin interesting to munch on, as each bite brings something a little bit different.
As for the inner elements, the cream at the muffin's core has a bit of a sharp cream cheese taste. This provides an acidic tinge to the rest of the dessert. All in all, the juxtaposition between the super sweet dough and the slightly sour cream cheese filling balances the muffin out, preventing the sugar element from being overwhelming.
3. Dulce apple fritter donut
Reminiscent of New England's apple cider donuts, Tim Horton's dulce apple fritter donuts will make you feel like you're gearing up for a day at the farm. From the very first bite, one of the most remarkable things about this donut is its texture. A dusting of cinnamon and sugar coats the outside, making it slightly rough and crispy. Meanwhile, the dough is soft and fluffy, providing some nice contrast to the outer crust. To make things even more exciting, small bits of baked apple are scattered throughout the donut.
In terms of taste, the donut is pretty satisfying. While the inner dough is reasonably sweet, it does not have the same intensity as the sugar-dusted exterior. This slight dissimilarity means that the dessert itself is reasonably balanced, as opposed to overpoweringly sweet. The caramel drizzle that decorates the treat may be slightly over-the-top, but it does give it an interesting multi-textured appearance.
2. Pumpkin spice iced capp
Although it did not quite secure the spot for first place, the Tim Horton's pumpkin spice iced capp was still a close second. This coffee was everything we would want to make a fall outing feel more special — sweet, full-bodied, and truly a treat. The beverage is served in a small cup with a plastic cover, and the whipped cream is the first thing that meets the eye. To make it look even more appealing, the iced capp comes with a web of pumpkin sauce drizzled on top.
The first sip gives off an intense butterscotch taste that slowly gives way to a milkier burst of pumpkin spice. While these flavors might not immediately sound compatible, they actually combine together perfectly in something reminiscent of a fall snack blend. The drizzle brings to mind sweetened popcorn or even candied apples, and the pumpkin spice brings back memories of Thanksgiving pie. Meanwhile, the creamy frozen base ties the flavors together into what almost feels like an ice cream treat with mild coffee notes.
The only reason that we did not rank the iced capp higher is that it is, ultimately, more of a dessert than an everyday drink. Because of its ultra-sweet flavor and strong ice cream vibes, the pumpkin spice iced capp might be a little too overwhelming to enjoy first thing in the morning.
1. Pumpkin spice latté
Call us "basic" if you like, but sometimes the best things in life are simple. And, our favorite part of Tim Horton's pumpkin spice latté is just that — it's not too over-the-top. Unlike other variations of this fall classic, which can be overwhelmingly spiced (or, worse, too pumpkin-y!), this pumpkin spice latté is actually pretty subtle. The first sip tastes creamy and sweet, before opening up into a more full-bodied coffee flavor. At the very end, you get a nice pumpkin spice finish that is far from being overwhelming, but definitely enough to get you into a fall vibe.
On top of the beverage's more subtle flavor, we really appreciated its more balanced approach to the sugar versus coffee ratio. While the pumpkin spice latté was certainly sweet enough to feel like a special treat, its sugary notes were contrasted nicely by the bitterness of the coffee. In the end, this is what made the latté stand out against the pumpkin spice iced capp — its more well-rounded flavor made it a way better breakfast item.