Pumpkin Spice Latte season returns early at Starbucks this year. Here’s when
Starbucks is calling for an early end to summer and a fast forward to sweater weather with the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte on Aug. 26.
With the official start of fall being Sept. 22, Starbucks is giving customers a much earlier taste through its fall menu items. This year’s PSL release date is earlier than the company’s usual September release, despite being later than last season’s.
Since being introduced to customers back in 2003, the drink has become one of the coffee chain’s most popular seasonal items.
What’s in Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte?
The popular fall menu item includes:
Espresso and milk.
Pumpkin spice syrup.
Whipped cream.
A sprinkle of pumpkin spice on top.
Real pumpkin has been an ingredient in the drink since 2015.
Besides the Pumpkin Spice Latte, there are new items being added to this year’s fall menu as well. They include:
Pecan Oatmilk Cortado.
Italian Sausage egg bites.
The following items are returning to the menu:
Pumpkin Cream Coldbrew.
Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai.
Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte.
The announcement of the fall menu items comes in the middle of CEO Brian Niccol’s ‘Back to Starbucks’ campaign, which rolled out in September of last year. After Niccol’s company changes, including the February layoff of 1,100 corporate employees and a revamped menu, Starbucks removed several blended Frappuccinos, the Royal English Breakfast Latte, and the White Hot Chocolate.
Starbucks saw a 2% drop in U.S. same-store sales last year. The coffee chain said last year that 10% of its overall sales come from seasonal staples. So with the return of a seasonal favorite the company hopes to bring customers back to its stores.
Looking for that pumpkin flavor sooner?
For those who can’t wait to get a taste of the fall, limited-time Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Inspired Creamer (dairy and non-dairy) is available now. In early August, Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Flavored Coffee (Iced Espresso and Frappuccino) RTD beverages return to stores.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM.