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The Wait Is Almost Over! Here’s When Pumpkin Spice Season Officially Arrives at Starbucks

Forget the calendar—there’s only one announcement that truly tells us fall is right around the corner: Starbucks revealing when its pumpkin spice latte is coming back. Since making its debut in 2003, the iconic PSL has become more than just a coffee order. It’s a full-blown seasonal event, kicking off pumpkin everything and cozy sweater vibes, and fans literally count down the minutes to the season’s first sip.

Well, the countdown is officially on. Starbucks has announced when the pumpkin spice latte—and the rest of its fan-favorite fall lineup—will return this month. We’re not revealing the date just yet (where’s the fun in that?), but let’s just say your pumpkin cravings won’t have to wait much longer.

Keep reading to find out exactly when the PSL returns, what additional fall drinks will be on the menu and which other coffee chains are joining the pumpkin party this fall.

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What signifies the start of PSL season?

The short answer? Starbucks says so. For millions of coffee lovers (including me!), fall doesn’t officially begin when the leaves start changing or the weather finally cools off. It begins the second Starbucks announces the pumpkin spice latte is back.

PSL burst onto the scene in 2003, when Starbucks beverage developer Peter Dukes and his team created the now-iconic drink inside the company’s secretive Seattle “Liquid Lab.” Fun fact: It was tested under a different name—fall harvest latte—before the pumpkin spice latte won out. The drink debuted on Oct. 10, 2003, in just 100 stores, and the rest is pumpkin-spiced history.

Fast-forward to today, and Starbucks has sold more than 424 million PSLs worldwide since the drink’s inception. That little latte has also inspired pumpkin cold brews, chai drinks, bakery treats and more—some of it appearing way earlier in the season than you might think. And it’s not your imagination: Starbucks has steadily moved the release earlier over the years, from September to late August, fueling the unofficial “pumpkin season” race.

So when does PSL season officially start?

Starbucks officially confirmed that its 2026 fall menu, including the beloved pumpkin spice latte, returns on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

What else will be on the fall Starbucks menu?

The pumpkin spice latte may be the star of the show, but it’s far from the only fall favorite making a comeback. Starbucks is serving up an entire lineup of pumpkin-packed drinks—plus one beloved pecan pick—when the seasonal menu returns on Aug. 25. Here’s what to expect:

  • Iced pumpkin cream shaken espresso (new): This fresh twist on the classic shaken espresso has a cozy pumpkin flavor.
  • Pumpkin spice chai (new): Pumpkin spice meets chai for what could be this year’s breakout fall drink.
  • Iced pumpkin cream matcha (new): Matcha lovers can finally get in on the pumpkin craze.
  • Pumpkin cream cold brew (returning): This fan-favorite cold coffee is topped with silky pumpkin cream cold foam.
  • Iced pumpkin cream chai (returning): This fall staple that combines spiced chai with pumpkin cream cold foam.
  • Pumpkin spice frappuccino (returning): Consider this the blended version of the iconic PSL for those who like their pumpkin icy.
  • Pecan crunch oatmilk latte (returning): Not feeling pumpkin? This nutty seasonal favorite is also back for another year.

Who else is getting into the PSL spirit, and when?

Of course, Starbucks isn’t the only chain preparing for PSL season. Here’s what to expect from other popular coffeehouses this fall.

  • Dunkin’: Dunkin’s fall menu returns on Aug. 19, bringing back its signature pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin-flavored coffee and more.
  • Peet’s Coffee: The chain usually launches its fall menu in late August, often with pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cold brews and pumpkin bakery treats.
  • Dutch Bros: Dutch Bros typically rolls out its fall lineup in late August. You’ll want to try the caramel pumpkin brûlée breve.
  • Caribou Coffee: This coffeehouse is known for its pumpkin latte, pumpkin white mocha and pumpkin baked goods that typically arrive in late August.
  • 7 Brew: While the menu varies by location, its seasonal pumpkin drinks generally arrive in late August or early September.

Sources:

  • Starbucks: “Starbucks Announces the Return of Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) Aug. 25, New Chaider and More Fall Favorites”
  • CBS News: “The ‘Father’ of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte Says ‘It Was the Flavor That Almost Wasn’t'”

The Truth About How Starbucks Got Its Name

Starbucks Employees Aren't Telling You This

Here's the Secret Starbucks Puppuccino

The post The Wait Is Almost Over! Here’s When Pumpkin Spice Season Officially Arrives at Starbucks appeared first on Reader's Digest.



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