{{Short description|Autumnal coffee drink}} {{use American English|date=September 2019}} {{use mdy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox food | name = Pumpkin spice latte | name_lang = en | name_italics = no | image = File:Pumpkin Spice (48986157673) cropped.png | image_upright = yes | image_alt = A pumpkin spice latte in front of a black background, in combination with two decorative cinnamon sticks and some coffee beans strewn in front. | alternative_name = PSL | type = Coffee drink | place_of_origin = United States | associated_cuisine = | main_ingredient = Pumpkin pie spice, milk, espresso, whipped cream, sugar, pumpkin puree | minor_ingredient = | variations = Hot drinks, iced drinks, frappuccino, instant coffee, masala chai latte | no_recipes = }} A '''pumpkin spice latte''' ('''PSL''') is a coffee drink made with a mix of traditional fall spice flavors (cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove), steamed milk, espresso, and often sugar, topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices.
Starbucks began selling pumpkin spice lattes in late 2003.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 September 2013 |title=More Than 200 Million Sold: Fans Celebrate the Return of the Original Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130902005042/en/More-Than-200-Million-Sold-Fans-Celebrate-the-Return-of-the-Original-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-at-Starbucks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004181145/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130902005042/en/More-Than-200-Million-Sold-Fans-Celebrate-the-Return-of-the-Original-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-at-Starbucks |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |access-date=4 October 2021 |work=Business Wire |language=en}}</ref> It obtained a trademark for the abbreviation PSL in 2015.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=PSL - Starbucks Corporation Trademark Registration |url=https://uspto.report/TM/85888022 |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=USPTO.report |publisher=United States Patent and Trademark Office |language=en}}</ref> The flavor has inspired a range of seasonal product variations.<ref name="Franks2019">{{cite web |last=Franks |first=Sarah |date=2019-08-21 |title=Starbucks launches Pumpkin Spice Latte earlier than ever |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-do/dining/starbucks-launches-pumpkin-spice-latte-earlier-than-ever/5W7YF2NLH3EWQTJGVURA4DQZDA/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827060659/https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-do/dining/starbucks-launches-pumpkin-spice-latte-earlier-than-ever/5W7YF2NLH3EWQTJGVURA4DQZDA/ |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |access-date=2021-08-27 |website=dayton-daily-news}}</ref> The pumpkin spice latte has since been offered by chains including Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Tepper |first1=Rachel |last2=Food |first2=HuffPost |date=2013-09-26 |title=Which Chain's Pumpkin Spice Latte Is Best? |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pumpkin-spice-latte_n_3997918 |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>
== History == Pumpkin pie has a long history in the United States, dating to its colonial era. Starting in the 1930s, spice companies began selling readymade pumpkin pie spice blends. Who first added pumpkin spice to lattes is unknown.<ref name="foodandwine_2025-09-19">{{cite web|last=Friend|first=Nina|date=September 19, 2025|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/lifestyle/pumpkin-spice-history|title=The Surprising History of Pumpkin Spice|website=Food & Wine|access-date=October 23, 2025}}</ref> In the 1990s, small coffee shops in the United States sold pumpkin spice lattes. The singer-songwriter Tori Amos was quoted during a 1995 show played in Seattle, the home of the coffee chain Starbucks, that she preferred her homemade brew "that tastes like pumpkin pie. It's my own invention; it's my contribution to Halloween."<ref name="stereogum_2025-10-17">{{cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=October 17, 2025|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2326895/did-tori-amos-invent-the-pumpkin-spice-latte/news/|title=Did Tori Amos Invent The Pumpkin Spice Latte?|website=Stereogum|access-date=October 23, 2025}}</ref>
In January 2003, Starbucks began developing its pumpkin spice latte, following the success of winter beverages such as the peppermint mocha and eggnog latte.<ref name="DailyMeal2013">{{cite web |last=Chou |first=Jessica |date=October 28, 2013 |title=History of the Pumpkin Spice Latte |url=https://www.thedailymeal.com/news/history-pumpkin-spice-latte/102813 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826061916/https://www.thedailymeal.com/news/history-pumpkin-spice-latte/102813 |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |access-date=October 6, 2014 |website=The Daily Meal}}</ref> During development, Starbucks' team collaborated with food scientists to create four potential seasonal beverages: a chocolate-based drink, a caramel-flavored beverage, a cinnamon-flavored option, and a pumpkin-flavored latte. Although the pumpkin beverage initially received mixed feedback, Dukes and the team advocated for its inclusion, ultimately approving it as the fourth option.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilshere |first=Meredith |date=August 30, 2025 |title=The 'Father' of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte Says Drink Almost Didn't Make the Cut, Reveals Alternate Name (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/creator-of-starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-reveals-drinks-alternate-name-exclusive-11798979 |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref>
To inspire the desired fall flavor profile, the development lab was decorated with autumnal items such as leaves and pumpkins, and the team sampled pumpkin pie mixed with espresso to refine the recipe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilshere |first=Meredith |date=August 30, 2025 |title=The 'Father' of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte Says Drink Almost Didn't Make the Cut, Reveals Alternate Name (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/creator-of-starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-reveals-drinks-alternate-name-exclusive-11798979 |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref> In late 2003, the final recipe was tested at select Starbucks locations in Vancouver and Washington, D.C., where sales exceeded expectations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldfine |first=Jael |date=2020-09-14 |title=A brief history of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte: How the cult favorite spawned memes and moral panic |url=https://www.businessofbusiness.com/articles/history-starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-memes-data/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Business of Business |language=en}}</ref> In 2004, pumpkin spice latte was rolled out to all U.S. Starbucks locations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Press |first=The Associated |date=2025-08-26 |title=The rise of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte, by the numbers |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/the-rise-of-starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-by-the-numbers/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref>
In 2013, Starbucks introduced a promotional gaming element, allowing customers to "unlock" the pumpkin spice latte at select stores by ordering it with a code prior to its official release.<ref name="WSJ2013">{{cite web |last=Fieisher |first=Lisa |date=August 30, 2013 |title=Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Drink That Almost Wasn't |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2013/08/30/pumpkin-spice-latte-the-drink-that-almost-wasnt/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006172419/http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2013/08/30/pumpkin-spice-latte-the-drink-that-almost-wasnt/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 6, 2014 |work=Wall Street Journal}}</ref> That year, Starbucks applied to trademark the initialism "PSL," with the trademark registered in 2015.<ref name=":0" /> In August 2015, Starbucks modified the pumpkin spice latte recipe to include actual pumpkin and remove artificial colors. The updated ingredients included a "pumpkin pie–flavored syrup" made with sugar, condensed skim milk, pumpkin purée, coloring, and preservatives.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dukes |first=Peter |date=Aug 17, 2015 |title=Big News for the Beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte |url=http://blogs.starbucks.com/blogs/customer/archive/2015/08/17/pumpkin-spice-latte-2015.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826081442/http://blogs.starbucks.com/blogs/customer/archive/2015/08/17/pumpkin-spice-latte-2015.aspx |archive-date=2015-08-26 |website=My Starbucks Idea |publisher=Starbucks Corporation}} Via {{cite news |author=Leah Durain |date=September 8, 2015 |title=Starbucks debuts new Pumpkin Spice Latte ingredients list |url=http://www.12newsnow.com/story/29980220/starbucks-debuts-new-pumpkin-spice-latte-ingredients-list |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924093109/http://www.12newsnow.com/story/29980220/starbucks-debuts-new-pumpkin-spice-latte-ingredients-list |archive-date=2015-09-24 |work=12 News}}</ref> According to the Institute of Food Technologists, the change was largely imperceptible to consumers and was implemented primarily to satisfy those who wanted real pumpkin listed among the ingredients.<ref name="IFT101">{{Cite web |last=Shelke |first=Kantha |date=February 2, 2016 |title=Pumpkin Spice 101 |url=https://www.ift.org/career-development/learn-about-food-science/food-facts/pumpkin-spice-101 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827070743/https://www.ift.org/career-development/learn-about-food-science/food-facts/pumpkin-spice-101 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |access-date=August 27, 2021 |website=Institute of Food Technologists}}</ref> In 2017, the pumpkin spice latte became available iced or as a Frappuccino, and later that year, Starbucks introduced a pumpkin spice chai latte variant.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Latte |url=https://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/espresso/pumpkin-spice-chai-latte |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044057/https://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/espresso/pumpkin-spice-chai-latte |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=September 28, 2017 |website=Starbucks Coffee Company}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 5, 2017 |title=New Drinks at Starbucks: Fall 2017 |url=https://news.starbucks.com/facts/whats-new-at-starbucks-fall-2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044220/https://news.starbucks.com/facts/whats-new-at-starbucks-fall-2017 |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=28 September 2017 |website=What's New at Starbucks This Fall |publisher=Starbucks}}</ref>
== Reception == thumb|upright|Starbucks pumpkin spice latte with whipped cream As of 2013, Starbucks had sold over 200 million pumpkin spice lattes since the drink's launch.<ref>{{cite press release |title=More than 200 Million Sold: Fans Celebrate the Return of the Original Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks |date=September 2, 2013 |url=https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2013/more-than-200-million-sold-fans-celebrate-the-return-of-the-original-pumpki/ |access-date=August 27, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826064038/https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2013/more-than-200-million-sold-fans-celebrate-the-return-of-the-original-pumpki/ |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Starbucks}}</ref> In some seasons, it generated at least $80 million in revenue annually, outselling other seasonal beverages.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Maynard |first=Micheline |date=September 22, 2013 |title=How Starbucks Turned Pumpkin Spice Into A Marketing Bonanza |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelinemaynard/2013/09/22/how-starbucks-turned-pumpkin-spice-into-a-marketing-bonanza/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423232108/https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelinemaynard/2013/09/22/how-starbucks-turned-pumpkin-spice-into-a-marketing-bonanza/ |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=October 6, 2014 |website=Forbes}}</ref> ''Forbes'' estimated that the beverage accounted for $100 million in revenue for Starbucks in 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=O'Connor |first=Clare |date=November 10, 2015 |title=The Pumpkin Spice Economy: How Starbucks Lattes Fueled A $500 Million Craze |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2015/11/10/the-pumpkin-spice-economy-how-starbucks-lattes-fueled-a-500-million-craze/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908103033/https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2015/11/10/the-pumpkin-spice-economy-how-starbucks-lattes-fueled-a-500-million-craze/ |archive-date=September 8, 2019 |access-date=September 9, 2019 |magazine=Forbes}}</ref> CNBC reported in 2019 that the pumpkin spice latte is Starbucks most popular seasonal drink, with worldwide sales of around 424 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=August 26, 2019 |title=Starbucks is introducing its first new pumpkin coffee beverage since the pumpkin spice latte |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/26/starbucks-is-introducing-its-first-new-pumpkin-beverage-since-the-pumpkin-spice-latte.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826084626/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/26/starbucks-is-introducing-its-first-new-pumpkin-beverage-since-the-pumpkin-spice-latte.html |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |access-date=September 9, 2019 |website=CNBC}}</ref> By 2025, the drink generated approximately $500 million annually.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-08-09 |title=Unexpected Menu Bestseller: The Case of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte |url=https://www.fb101.com/unexpected-menu-bestseller-the-case-of-starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Food & Beverage Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jr. |first=Bill Murphy |date=2025-08-25 |title=Starbucks Spent 22 Years on a Secret Weapon. It All Pays Off Tomorrow, Thanks to Neuroscience |url=https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/starbucks-spent-22-years-perfecting-a-secret-weapon-it-all-pays-off-tomorrow-thanks-to-neuroscience/91230755 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925195129/https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/starbucks-spent-22-years-perfecting-a-secret-weapon-it-all-pays-off-tomorrow-thanks-to-neuroscience/91230755 |archive-date=2025-09-25 |access-date=2025-10-04 |work=Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref> In September 2025, the Starbucks CEO, Brian Niccol, said that Starbucks had already seen an increase in sales, noting that fall products, including pumpkin-flavored offerings such as the pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin cream cold brew, and iced pumpkin cream chai, helped Starbucks "deliver a record-breaking sales week" at its U.S. company-operated store.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shibu |first=Sheri |date=2025-09-02 |title=Starbucks Just Experienced a 'Record-Breaking Sales Week' Thanks to One Line of Products |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-fall-menu-drive-record-sales/496619 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250926070858/https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-fall-menu-drive-record-sales/496619 |archive-date=2025-09-26 |access-date=2025-10-04 |work=Entrepreneur |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sirtori |first=Daniela |date=2025-09-01 |title=Starbucks CEO Says Pumpkin Spice Season Drove Record Sales Week |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-01/starbucks-ceo-says-pumpkin-spice-season-drove-record-sales-week |access-date=2025-10-04 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 2013, Donston-Miller of ''Forbes'' attributed the enduring popularity of the drink to its limited annual availability, which fuels anticipation and engagement; fans eagerly await its seasonal release, share their excitement on social media, and lament its absence until the following year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Donston-Miller |first=Debra |date=December 26, 2013 |title=The Branding Magic Behind Pumpkin Spice Lattes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sungardas/2013/12/26/the-branding-magic-behind-pumpkin-spice-lattes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022034306/http://www.forbes.com/sites/sungardas/2013/12/26/the-branding-magic-behind-pumpkin-spice-lattes/ |archive-date=October 22, 2014 |access-date=October 6, 2014 |website=Forbes}}</ref> During the fall season, Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte generates substantial social media engagement, with an estimated 3,000 daily tweets using the hashtag "#PSL". Starbucks maintains an official Instagram account featuring the beverage in seasonal-themed illustrations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swiers |first=Autumn |date=2022-08-06 |title=What You Never Knew About The Origin Of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte |url=https://www.tastingtable.com/955272/what-you-never-knew-about-the-origin-of-starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Tasting Table |language=en-US}}</ref> The pumpkin spice latte also helped popularize a wider range of pumpkin spice products, including candles, air fresheners, doughnuts, breakfast cereals, cough drops, and pasta sauce.<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Costa |first=Krystal |date=September 20, 2017 |title=The Rise of Pumpkin Spice |url=https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anthropology-in-practice/the-rise-of-pumpkin-spice/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912165633/https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anthropology-in-practice/the-rise-of-pumpkin-spice/ |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |access-date=September 12, 2018 |website=Scientific American}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Popomaronis |first=Tom |date=September 8, 2017 |title=The World Has An Obsession With Pumpkin Spice (And Businesses Know It) |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tompopomaronis/2017/09/08/the-world-has-an-obsession-with-pumpkin-spice-and-businesses-know-it/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225050212/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tompopomaronis/2017/09/08/the-world-has-an-obsession-with-pumpkin-spice-and-businesses-know-it/ |archive-date=December 25, 2020 |access-date=September 12, 2018 |work=Forbes}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
[[File:Hot Pumpkin Spice Latte sold by Pret A Manger.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Hot pumpkin spice latte sold by Pret a Manger]] Following the success of Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte, other major chains introduced similar seasonal beverages, including Dunkin' Donuts in 2007 and McDonald's in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2007 |title="Fall" in Love with New Seasonal Menu Items from Dunkin' Donuts |url=https://news.dunkindonuts.com/news/fall-in-love-with-new-seasonal-menu-items-from-dunkin-donuts |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Dunkin' Donuts |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2013 |title=McDonald's pumpkin-spice lattes target Starbucks crowd |url=https://financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/mcdonalds-pumpkin-spice-lattes-target-starbucks-crowd |access-date=October 4, 2025 |website=Financial Post}}</ref> In 2021, Starbucks experienced a 10% week-over-week sales increase during the first week of its pumpkin spice latte release, an effect often referred to as the "PSL effect." Similarly, Dunkin' Donuts saw an 8.4% sales increase during the introduction of its pumpkin spice beverages in 2019, maintaining elevated sales the following week, with foot traffic rising 3% on the day of Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte launch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castiglia |first=Barbara |date=2022-08-18 |title=What Makes Pumpkin Spice Season a $500 Million Industry |url=https://marketscale.com/industries/food-and-beverage/what-makes-pumpkin-spice-season-a-500-million-industry/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=MarketScale |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2023, when Starbucks rolled out the pumpkin spice latte nationally, foot traffic rose 24.1% compared to an average weekday, with some states experiencing increases of 42–45%. Traffic remained elevated in the following three days, ranging from 11.3% to 15.9% depending on the day. Dunkin' Donuts reported similar traffic spikes during the rollout of its fall menu. For example, in 2021, foot traffic increased 12.2% in the first four days of its fall release, compared with the prior three weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Passy |first=Charles |date=August 26, 2025 |title=Customers are rushing to coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin' thanks to the pumpkin-spice latte 'halo effect' |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/customers-are-rushing-to-coffee-shops-like-starbucks-dunkin-thanks-to-the-pumpkin-spice-latte-halo-effect-1867e34b |access-date=October 4, 2025 |website=MarketWatch}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Coffee}} *List of coffee beverages *List of squash and pumpkin dishes
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{commons}} * [http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/espresso/pumpkin-spice-latte Starbucks product page] * {{Cite web|title=Peter Dukes Shares the Story Behind Starbucks First Pumpkin Spice Latte|work=Starbucks Newsroom |url=https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-first-pumpkin-spice-latte|date=August 25, 2014}} * {{Cite web|title=Everything You Need to Know about the Return of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte|url=https://news.starbucks.com/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-return-of-starbucks-pumpkin-spice-lat|publisher=Starbucks Newsroom|date=August 20, 2014}}
Category:Autumn traditions Category:Coffee drinks Category:Products introduced in 2003 Category:Squash and pumpkin dishes Category:Starbucks Category:Winter traditions Category:Drinks