The Autumn Cozy Cafe

It’s been a while, friends, a while since I welcomed you into my little fantasy world. My cozy cafe where people find new friends, have a delicious treat, and get lost in a book. Laufey is playing, and the air is turning crisp, and I am welcoming you into The Oldfashioned Girl Cafe.
    
​Today I’m sharing fall drink recipes and cozy books to accompany them.

Chai Latte
I used to be a chai hater, but the past couple of autumns, I have grown to love it. This is my personal favorite method for making it.

Ingredients:
2 of your favorite chai teabags (I like Bigelow’s vanilla chai)
⅓ cup hot water
Brown sugar 1 teaspoon or to taste
Ground cinnamon to taste
Ice
½ cup milk of choice

1. Microwave the water until it’s hot, add in the tea bags, let steep and cool for 10-30 minutes, while still warm, mix in the brown sugar.
2. Fill a glass with ice, and sprinkle ground cinnamon over the ice.
3. Pour in the steeped chai (make sure to squeeze out the tea bags)
5. Add milk and mix well.

(the one pictured has a cold foam on top, but I no longer make cold foams for my chai so I didn't include the recipe.)

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This is a young adult historical fantasy about two rival magicians battling within the confines of a circus. It’s compelling, mysterious, and romantic. It’s not specifically set in one season, but I think a lot of the elements work well for autumn.
There are a few content warnings (child abuse and allusions to spice) that gear the book to a slightly older audience, but I would say it is good for 16 and up.

Pumpkin Spice Earl Grey

This is a recipe actually, originally from my best friend, so all credit to her for getting me obsessed with this tea combination.

Ingredients:
1 bag pumpkin spice tea ( rooibos or black are my recommendation)
1 bag Earl Grey tea (can be regular or decaf)
Hot water
Sugar or sweetener of choice (optional)
Milk

1. In a mug, place your bag of pumpkin spice tea and the bag of Earl Grey.
2. Add sugar to taste if using.
3. Pour boiling water into the mug and let steep for 1-5 minutes (I usually leave the tea bags in because if using a decaf tea, it won’t be very tannic or astringent).
4. Add a splash of milk to taste.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc

This is a very cozy upper-middle-grade book. It’s marketed as romance, but honestly, that’s the tiniest subplot ever. Set in a small town in Vermont, the main character is spending her fall working at her mom’s coffee shop. Disaster strikes when a large chain coffee shop opens up right across the street, and the owner's son is definitely not cute or anything. This book has all of the quintessential autumn things. All vibes, not much substance.

​Content warning for one character’s lesbian parents (they are only mentioned a couple of times).

Apple Cinnamon Tea Latte

​1 bag cinnamon tea (black, herbal, rooibos, etc.)
Hot water (about 1 ½ cups)
1 tablespoon apple butter (the one I use has cinnamon added)
1 teaspoon (can be adjusted to taste) brown sugar
½ cup milk (I used oat)

1. Place a tea bag in a mug and add hot water; let it steep.
2. In a heatproof bowl or cup, mix together brown sugar, apple butter, and milk. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, mix well, making sure there are no lumps.
3. Pour into the cup of tea.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

​This was my first Agatha Christie read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s about 10 people who are sent a mysterious invitation to a house on an isolated island. But something is off; the hosts are nowhere to be found, and people begin dropping dead. This book is both cozy and eerie, despite the murder, it’s not really a dark or spooky book and would be suitable for most people.

Thank you so much for visiting my little cafe today, I hope you will use these reccomendations to brighten your day. 

Belle Thomas

Belle is the writer and dreamer behind An Old Fashioned Girl. She is passionate about reminding girls of their identity in Christ, classic books, history, Louisa May Alcott, and earl grey tea. ​​ ​