Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Returns for Its 20th Year on August 24
New Iced Apple Crisp Oat Shaken Espresso and Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte join the menu alongside returning fall favourites
The return of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) marks the unofficial start of fall for many customers. Since its introduction in 2003, and over the last 20 years, the iconic beverage has had an influence on the coffee industry, pop culture, and everything in between.
Starting Thursday, August 24, the Starbucks fall menu will return, and customers can celebrate the 20th anniversary with their first sip of PSL. The fall menu also features two new seasonal beverages, Iced Apple Crisp Oat Shaken Espresso and Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, and returning customer favourites including Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Apple Crisp Oat Macchiato, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf and Fox Sugar Cookie. The fall food and beverages are available for a limited time, while supplies last.
Pick of the patch
The Pumpkin Spice Latte is Starbucks most popular seasonal beverage and is enjoyed by customers around the world. The handcrafted beverage combines Starbucks Signature Espresso and steamed milk with the celebrated flavour combination of real pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices, the PSL is available hot, iced or blended.
New this year is the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, a beverage that was inspired by a popular customer and barista customization. This creamy chai tea latte pairs a rich blend of spiced chai notes with pumpkin cream cold foam and a dusting of pumpkin spice.
“We’re excited to celebrate the creativity of our baristas and customers by offering the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte on the official fall menu. The warm spice flavours of chai and pumpkin seamlessly blend together, creating a creamy and comforting iced beverage,” said Starbucks beverage developer Billy Altieri.
The fan-favourite Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew also returns to the menu for a fifth year, crafted with Starbucks® Cold Brew sweetened with vanilla syrup, topped with pumpkin cream cold foam and a dusting of pumpkin spice.
Falling for apple crisp
Joining the fall lineup this year is the new Iced Apple Crisp Oat Shaken Espresso, which combines Starbucks® Blonde Espresso with notes of apple, cinnamon and brown sugar, shaken together and topped with oat beverage for a smooth and balanced sip that is full of fall flavor.
“The warm, gooey taste of apple crisp paired with a cup of coffee meld perfectly to unveil a cozy beverage customers have come to know and love at Starbucks each fall. The new Iced Apple Crisp Oat Shaken Espresso features creamy oat that perfectly complements the light roast flavours of Starbucks Blonde Espresso,” said Starbucks beverage developer Billy Altieri.
Customers can also enjoy the returning Apple Crisp Oat Macchiato, featuring layered flavours of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar combined with a spiced apple drizzle to create a delicious, fall flavoured espresso beverage available hot, iced and blended.
Fall feels in the bakery case
Returning seasonal bakery items include the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf and everyone’s favourite whimsical, woodland critter, the Fox Sugar Cookie.
Starbucks Guatemala Casi Cielo® and Starbucks® Thanksgiving Blend return
Guatemala Casi Cielo® is a whole bean coffee that has been enjoyed nearly as long as the PSL, returning every year since 2004. Guatemala Casi Cielo® represents the finest expression from one of Starbucks most beloved coffee origins, sourced exclusively from Guatemala’s high-altitude, volcanic Antigua region. Harvested just once a year from coffee cherries picked at peak ripeness, this single-origin coffee – with elegant floral aromatics and notes of citrus and dark cocoa – is bright, smooth, irresistibly balanced, and not to be missed.
Starbucks® Thanksgiving Blend is our expression of gratitude to the world’s most distinctive coffee regions. Beans from Sumatra, Sidama in Ethiopia, and the Antigua region of Guatemala are expertly blended and richly roasted to create a cup that’s delicately sweet—and worthy of the finest feast. Elegantly flavourful and aromatic with notes of candied pecan, sage and dried fig, it celebrates the true spirit of the season.
New seasonal drinkware
Customers can also fall in love with a variety of seasonally-inspired drinkware – from tumblers to cold cups, mugs and more. New fall merchandise, such as the Purple Wave Cold Cup, Shell Shimmer Cold Cup and Yellow Soft Touch Tumbler are beginning to roll out at participating Starbucks stores in Canada on Thursday, August 24 for a limited time, while supplies last. Don’t forget, Starbucks® Rewards members who bring a clean, personal reusable cup into participating cafés will get 10 cents off their beverage.
A sip of fall at home
The flavours of fall are also available down the grocery aisle including the returning Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice Coffee Enhancer Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice Flavoured Coffee in K-Cup® pods and Maple Pecan Flavoured Ground Coffee. Customers can also enjoy the new Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Coffee Drink, beginning this September.
To learn more about Starbucks fall food and beverage menu items, visit starbucks.ca/menu/featured.
