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I attempted pumpkin drinks from Dunkin’, Dutch Bros, and Starbucks to see which chain does it greatest.
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte was good, nevertheless it wasn’t my favourite drink.
Dutch Bros’ caramel and pumpkin drink blew the competitors away.
Summer time is probably not over, however the fall-favorite Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte or “PSL” is about to return to the chain’s menu subsequent week.Many customers have appeared ahead to the restricted launch of the drink yearly since its 2003 debut. Since then, many competing cafés and fashionable espresso chains have provided their very own variations of it.Although Starbucks is the “OG,” I needed to see how its PSL in comparison with pumpkin-flavored iced drinks at different massive chains, Dutch Bros and Dunkin’. This is how they stacked up.Editor’s Notice: This piece was initially printed on October 30, 2024, and most lately up to date on August 22, 2025. Costs are topic to alter, and a few drinks could not presently be accessible.
First, I ordered from Dutch Bros.
Dutch Bros is a drive-thru-only espresso chain.
Meredith Schneider
There’s nothing extra satisfying to me than pulling into an empty Dutch Bros car parking zone tremendous early on a weekday.The Oregon-based chain has greater than 900 places throughout the US, and it is drive-up/drive-thru solely.I often simply undergo the drive-thru, however I ordered my caramel pumpkin-brûlée breve forward of time on the app so I may park and stroll as much as the window. Since Dunkin’ solely provides an iced pumpkin beverage, that is how I ordered this one, too.The 24-ounce, medium-sized drink value me $7.59.
The added caramel gave the drink a lift of easy taste.
Dutch Bros sells a pumpkin breve.
Meredith Schneider
The seasonal drink had nearly no hint of pumpkin-pie spices. Nonetheless, I did style a touch of nuttiness that I affiliate with precise pumpkins.The graceful, candy caramel added loads to the drink. Combined with the opposite flavors, it nearly tasted smoky, which felt very autumnal to me.Moreover, when the sweetened chilly foam on high seeped into the drink, it added a beautiful creamy texture.
Then, I headed to Starbucks.
Starbucks is understood for its Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Meredith Schneider
I took a proper out of the Dutch Bros’ car parking zone, crossed by way of one mild, and swung proper into Starbucks.It isn’t essentially stunning that the chain was really easy to search out, contemplating there are tens of 1000’s of places around the globe.I positioned a pick-up order for my iced Pumpkin Spice Latte. The medium, 16-ounce drink value me $7.21.
The PSL was stuffed with taste.
I received an iced model for a good comparability between the chains.
Meredith Schneider
Starbucks’ PSL has modified over time — for instance, in 2015 the chain started utilizing an actual pumpkin puree in its sauce.The beverage I tasted appeared allspice-heavy and got here topped with thick whipped cream and cinnamon.Of the three drinks I attempted, Starbucks had the darkest brew of espresso.Though the flavour was good and full, which paired nicely with the warming spices, the aftertaste appeared bitter.
Lastly, I grabbed the iced drink at Dunkin’.
Dunkin’ has added extra seasonal objects to its menu over time.
Meredith Schneider
Dunkin’ has launched a rotating forged of seasonal drinks and doughnuts to its fall lineup during the last 10 or so years.Though you’ll find the Massachusetts-based chain on avenue corners throughout the East Coast, it is rather less widespread in my Midwest metropolis. Fortunately, there is a drive-thru-only Dunkin’ not too removed from me.I positioned my order on the app, and my pumpkin-spice iced signature latte was prepared as quickly as I pulled as much as the window.The medium, 24-ounce drink got here to $6.01, making it the very best worth on this record.
Dunkin’s pumpkin latte tasted extra like chai to me.
There have been extra warming spices in Dunkin’s pumpkin-flavored espresso.
Meredith Schneider
I haven’t got Dunkin’ that always, so I am unsure if that is commonplace, however the espresso shot was fairly weak. It tasted extra like a chai latte to me.The pumpkin-spice syrup was additionally tremendous candy, and the drink wasn’t as creamy as the opposite two.One of many saving graces was the large pile of whipped cream on high. It was thick and added a buttery taste to the beverage.
For me, Dutch Bros’ pumpkin drink dethroned Starbucks’ PSL.
Dutch Bros caramel-pumpkin espresso took the cake for me.
Meredith Schneider
Dutch Bros’ candy, creamy caramel pumpkin-brûlée breve was the winner for me. Though the seasonal drink did not style like conventional pumpkin spice, I assumed it had a novel, autumnal vibe.Though I did not dislike Starbucks’ PSL, it was slightly too bitter for me — particularly with the robust mulling spices.Dunkin’s drink tasted extra like a very candy chai latte, so I most likely would not order it once more.
