Dunkin’, Starbucks, and Dutch Bros all have seasonal fall coffee menus.
Meredith Schneider
I tried had almost no trace of pumpkin-pie spices. However, I did taste a hint of nuttiness that I associate with actual pumpkins.
The smooth, sweet caramel added a lot to the drink. Mixed with the other flavors, it almost tasted smoky, which felt very autumnal to me.
Additionally, when the sweetened cold foam on top seeped into the drink, it added a lovely creamy texture.
Then, I headed to Starbucks.
Starbucks is known for its Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Meredith Schneider
I took a right out of the Dutch Bros’ parking lot, crossed through one light, and swung right into Starbucks.
It’s not necessarily surprising that the chain was so easy to find, considering there are more than 15,000 locations across the country.
I placed a pick-up order for my iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, or PSL. The medium, 16-ounce drink cost me $7.21.
The PSL is full of flavor.
I got an iced version for a fair comparison between the chains.
Meredith Schneider
I think Starbucks’ PSL has gone through several iterations over the years. The current beverage is allspice-heavy and comes topped with thick to me.
The pumpkin-spice syrup was also super sweet, and the drink wasn’t as creamy as the other two.
One of the saving graces was the big pile of whipped cream on top. It was thick and added a buttery flavor to the beverage.
For me, Dutch Bros dethroned Starbucks’ PSL.
Dutch Bros caramel-pumpkin coffee took the cake for me.
Meredith Schneider
Dutch Bros’ sweet, creamy caramel pumpkin-brûlée breve was the winner for me. Even though the seasonal drink didn’t taste like traditional pumpkin spice, I thought it had a unique, autumnal vibe.
Although I didn’t dislike Starbucks’ PSL, it was a little too bitter for me — especially with the strong mulling spices.
Dunkin’s drink tasted more like an overly sweet chai latte, so I probably wouldn’t order it again.
