Starbucks launches Pumpkin Spice Latte earlier than ever before (2024)

If you're growing frustrated waiting for summer to appear, you may do better to take a leaf out of Starbucks' book and skip forward a season.

The coffee giant today announced - just over a week into August - that autumn and winter favourite the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back in select stores across the UK.

While some media outlets speculated that the Pumpkin Spice range would return on August 22, Starbucks has surprised its fans by bringing it back earlier than ever before this year.

From August 8, Starbucks aficionados will be able to purchase three Pumpkin Spice beverages - provided they are signed up to the Starbucks Rewards programme.

Non-members, however, will have to wait another two weeks before they can buy either the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte or the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, which is also available with a non-coffee base.

L-r:Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte (Tall size - £4.70);Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino (Tall Size - £4.85);Pumpkin Spice Latte (Tall size - £4.65)

The Pumpkin Spice Latte is made of signature espresso combined with a pumpkin spice flavour sauce and steamed milk, then topped with whipped cream and a spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.

The chain's decision to reintroduce the range earlier this year is based on the growing popularity of the 20-year-old beverage, which was invented by US Starbucks beverage developer, Peter Dukes.

Starbucks will launch further autumn beverages and food from August 22, with a full autumn food menu coming on September 5.

For those who are keen to access the Pumpkin Spice range early but are not yet Starbucks Rewards members, it's possible to join up via the Starbucks UK app.

Pumpkin Spice drinks available from August 8

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Tall size - £4.65

Starbucks signature espresso combined with a pumpkin spice flavour sauce and steamed milk, then topped with whipped cream and a spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.

Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

Tall size - £4.70

Starbucks signature espresso combined with a pumpkin spice flavour sauce, milk and ice, then topped with a spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.

Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino

Tall Size - £4.85

Pumpkin spice flavour sauce blended with coffee, milk and ice then topped with whipped cream and a spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.

Also available as Pumpkin Spice Creme Frappuccino, with a non-coffee base.

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Back in April, Starbucks launched its summer menu, which is still available in stores.

Options include classically refreshing fruity flavours - the fan favourite Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refresha made a comeback - and more indulgent sweet tastes.

The brand also created a Crème Brûlée Inspired Cold Foam that can be added to any ice coffee to give it a fresh and sweet twist, which is a star ingredient across many of its new items.

As an alternative to whipped cream, the new summer topping is available alongside the regular vanilla variant.

The chain created three initial beverage combinations to allow fans to experience the rich and creamy texture of the new foam at its best.

Starbucks' new summer drinks with theCrème Brûlée Inspired Cold Foam topping (L-R):Crème Brûlée x Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso (£5.00RRP for Tall size);Crème Brûlée x Cold Brew (£3.85RRP for Tall size);Crème Brûlée x Brown Sugar Frappuccino (£4.85RRP for Tall size)

Starbucks recommended coffee drinkers first try it with a cold brew, an iced brown sugar oat shaken espresso or a brown sugar Frappuccino.

For the first of the three - the Crème Brûlée x Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso - a Starbucks Blonde Espresso roast is shaken together with brown sugar syrup and ice.

Then, it is topped with oat drink and finished with the cold foam and a dusting of fresh coffee grounds. The Tall size costs £5.00.

Priced at £3.85 (Tall size), the second Crème Brûlée x Cold Brew, sees Starbucks' signature cold brew sweetened with a touch of vanilla flavour syrup and topped with the Crème Brûlée inspired Cream Cold Foam. It's finished with a dusting of fresh coffee grounds.

The third of the newcomers, the Crème Brûlée x Brown Sugar Frappuccino blended beverage, is made with the Brown Sugar & Coffee Frappuccino base and topped with the foam - before being finished off with a dusting of fresh coffee grounds. The Tall size costs £4.85.

Starbucks' new fruity drinks (L-R):Dragon Coconut Starbucks Refresha (£4.75 RRP for Tall size);Very Berry Starbucks Refresha (£4.35RRP for Tall size);Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refresha (£4.75RRP for Tall size)

For those who fancy something fruitier, there were two new refreshing drinks for summer 2024: the Dragon Coconut Starbucks Refresha drink (£4.75 RRP for a Tall size) and Very Berry Starbucks Refresha drink (£4.35 RRP for a Tall size).

Texture is just as important here and the Very Berry Hibiscus Refresha fruit juice shaken with ice contains whole blackcurrants to pack a summery punch.

Similarly, the Dragon Coconut Starbucks Refresha contains dried dragon fruit pieces shaken with a mango and dragon fruit flavour base, coconut drink and ice.

Last but not least, the 2023 tropical favourite, the Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refresha (£4.75 RRP for a Tall size), was also brought back this summer.

Starbucks launches Pumpkin Spice Latte earlier than ever before (2024)

FAQs

When did pumpkin spice lattes come out at Starbucks? ›

"Since its debut in 2003 the Pumpkin Spice Latte continues to be Starbucks' most popular seasonal beverage and is enjoyed by customers around the world," the company said in a news release Wednesday.

Why does the Pumpkin Spice Latte taste different this year? ›

Major Changes

According to her, the company's pumpkin spice drinks taste different for two reasons—the syrup now contains "real pumpkin ingredient" and the syrup bottles' pumps have changed. "Apparently it's not the same, like, full pumps, so you're getting technically less [syrup]," Maria said.

When did pumpkin spice become a trend? ›

The late 90s would see pumpkin spice finally reach the coffee world with a number of vendors selling flavored beans to great popularity. However, 2003 was the transformative year.

Did Starbucks start the pumpkin spice trend? ›

The Pumpkin Spice Latte was first introduced to Starbucks customers in 2003, according to the company, and has since become an iconic part of fall for many coffee drinkers. For the last 20 years, customers have eagerly awaited the return of the drink to Starbucks menus across the country.

When did pumpkin spice come out in 2024? ›

It's official — Starbucks has confirmed its fall drinks, including the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte, will be returning Aug. 22.

Are pumpkin spice lattes sold all year round? ›

Whether it's a beverage countdown, video tribute or constant requests on social media to have our pumpkin sauce be sold year-round – Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice Latte excitement is in the air all year long – but available in our stores only once a year to celebrate fall.

Why is Pumpkin Spice Latte so popular? ›

Pumpkin spice has become incredibly popular in the coffee industry due to its unique and nostalgic flavor profile. The combination of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, along with the comforting taste of pumpkin, resonates with many people during the autumn season.

Why do people go crazy for pumpkin spice? ›

Scarcity, flavor, and nostalgia equal obsession.

The taste of pumpkin spice may be desirable due to its scarcity, as it's only available during the fall. In addition to flavor and taste, pumpkin spice can also create nostalgia.

How many pumpkin spice lattes have been served since the product's introduction? ›

How many Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been served since the product's introduction? Over 200 million Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been served. 3.

What was the first year Starbucks pumpkin spice latte? ›

The national coffee chain first released the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003, and it has since become a fall staple for many coffee drinkers. For the last two decades, customers nationwide have eagerly awaited the return of Starbucks' signature drink.

Does Taylor Swift like pumpkin spice lattes? ›

Taylor's go-to Starbucks drink is a Grande Caramel Nonfat Latte, but she's also expressed her love for Pumpkin Spice Lattes in the fall. A classic that never goes out of style!

Does Starbucks use real pumpkin spice? ›

Ingredient #2: Pumpkin Spice Sauce

This special “sauce” is actually a mixture of mostly sugar, condensed milk and pumpkin puree.

What is the origin of pumpkin spice flavor? ›

The origin of pumpkin spice dates back to the Dutch East India Company. The ingredients that make up pumpkin spice—cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice—are native to Southeast Asian islands.

When did pumpkins become popular for Halloween? ›

However, it wasn't until Irish immigrants arrived in America in the 1800s that the pumpkin became the carving vegetable of choice. American pumpkins were larger and easier to carve than Irish turnips, and the tradition quickly took off.

When did pumpkin patches become popular? ›

The Halloween pumpkin patch as it is now has its origins after the Second World War. Though jack-o'-lanterns had already been popularized, pumpkins were still considered minor crops until this period, in which trick-or-treating skyrocketed across the U.S.

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