Pumpkin spice fans, here’s another reason to get pumped up.
While Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte or PSL for short returns Tuesday, the coffee giant announced Monday it will release a second pumpkin drink – the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.
This is Starbucks’ first new pumpkin coffee drink since it launched the PSL – the drink that experts say started the pumpkin craze – in 2003. The drink is made with Starbucks Cold Brew, vanilla, and is finished with a pumpkin cream cold foam and a pumpkin spice topping.
“With customer excitement for PSL sweeping the nation each fall, we wanted to create a new beverage that combines two of our customers’ favorite things, pumpkin spices and cold brew,” said Matthew Thornton, of Starbucks beverage research and development team, in a statement to USA TODAY.
According to Starbucks, the PSL is its top-selling seasonal beverage of all time with more than 424 million sold in the U.S. since its release 16 years ago. The PSL is available hot, iced or as a Frappuccino-blended beverage.
As part of the fall menu, Starbucks also is bringing back the Salted Caramel Mocha, pumpkin cream cheese muffin and pumpkin scone.
Two days after pumpkin returns, on Thursday, Starbucks will have a Happy Hour event for rewards members after 3 p.m. with a buy-one-get-one free deal on handcrafted beverages grande or larger.
Apester, a digital storytelling content platform, said 62.5 percent of consumers surveyed said they thought Starbucks is releasing its pumpkin drink too early this year. Last year, pumpkin returned to Starbucks on Aug. 28, a day dubbed Pumpkinox.
But Starbucks isn’t the only place offering an early taste of fall.
The pumpkin pandemonium started Aug. 21 at Dunkin’ locations nationwide when its new fall lineup with new and returning items arrived. The return was six days earlier than in 2018.
Now available
7-Eleven: Pumpkin spice hot coffee and pumpkin spice latte are available for a limited time. With the convenience store’s 7Rewards program, get any size cup for $1.
Cracker Barrel:Locations nationwide will have a Pumpkin Pie Latte starting Aug. 26.
Dairy Queen: The seasonal Pumpkin Pie Blizzard is back for a limited time Aug. 26.
Denny’s:Pumpkin pancakes are back for a limited time.
Dunkin’: Dunkin’s Pumpkin Flavored Coffee, pumpkin doughnut, muffins and Munchkins donut holes are back along with the new Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Signature Latte, Apple Cider Donut and Munchkins. Pumpkin flavor swirl can be added to hot, iced coffee, Cold Brew, espresso drinks, frozen coffee and frozen chocolate.
Steak ’n Shake: The Pumpkin Spice Milkshake is back for a limited time.
Wawa: Pumpkin spice specialty beverages, coffee and cappuccino return Aug. 26.
Coming soon
Bruegger’s Bagels:On Aug. 29, pumpkin bagels, pumpkin cream cheese and pumpkin spice coffee return for a limited time.
Noodles & Company: A new limited-time menu item, the Pumpkin Spice Crispy, arrives Sept. 25 and will be available through Nov. 26 or while supplies last.
Peet’s Coffee: The seasonal lineup featuring a Pumpkin Latte and Pumpkin Chai Latte will be available Sept. 4 through Nov. 5.
Pilot Flying J: Available starting Sept. 1 and while supplies last, participating Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers across the U.S. will have a new pumpkin drink, the Pumpkin Maple Cappuccino.
Starbucks: The fall menu returns Aug. 27.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf:A limited-edition fall menu arrives Aug. 28 with the Pumpkin Latte and drinks including the new Maple Latte and Maple Rooibos Tea Latte.
At the store
Here are some of the products that are either carving out a spot on store shelves or will soon be added. Selection varies and quantities of these seasonal items are limited. More products are expected to come out before Halloween and additional items will be available at online specialty stores.
Beverages: Multiple brands of pumpkin spice coffee, creamer, teas and cocoa. Creamer options include: Laird Superfood’s Pumpkin Spice Creamer, International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Flavored Creamer and Silk Pumpkin Spice Almond Creamer.
Pastries: Grocery stores often have fresh-baked cookies and popular packaged varieties include Milano Pumpkin Spice cookies, Kodiak Cakes’ Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Muffin Unleashed and Base Culture’s Nutty Pumpkin Bread. Thomas’ Pumpkin Spice English Muffins and bagels are expected to arrive in stores Sept. 10 and Sugar Bowl Bakery’s new Pumpkin Madeleines and Pumpkin Fritters will start rolling out stores in September. Pillsbury Grands! Pumpkin Spice Sweet Rolls and other Pillsbury pumpkin products are rolling out to stores now.
Health food:Pumpkin has also made its way into some protein drinks and bars. Options that will be available in stores and online include Lenny & Larry’s Pumpkin Spice Complete Cookie, Quest Pumpkin Pie protein bars and ONE Pumpkin Pie bars.
Yogurt: Chobani Greek Yogurt Pumpkin & Spice, Chobani Flip Autumn Harvest Crisp and Dannon Light & Fit Pumpkin Pie arrived in some stores in August.
Miscellaneous: Pumpkin pasta sauce, salsa, pumpkin-flavored Spam, peanut butter and SMASHMALLOW pumpkin pie marshmallows. Nature’s Bakery Pumpkin Spice Fig Bars will be available in Target and Whole Foods nationwide around mid-September.
Dunkin’ contest
Dunkin’s “Sip. Peel. Win.” promotion is back. Through Sept. 24 or while supplies last, purchase a large or extra-large-sized hot, iced or frozen beverage at participating Dunkin’ locations and get a game piece sticker on your cup.
Prizes include free groceries or gas for a year, clothing, home improvement, Dunkin’ products and more, the company announced in a statement.
There also will be bonus points for DD Perks members and select game pieces will have a unique code to enter a daily and grand prize sweepstakes at SipPeelWin.com.
