As summer begins to come to an end, excitement for the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks really ramps up. The classic beverage has been considered an official herald of fall since it was introduced in 2003. While Starbucks hasn’t announced the official return date for PSL in 2024, several leaks and history combined give a clear vision of what fans should expect.
Expected return date
The Pumpkin Spice Latte can be anticipated to arrive by the end of August, judging by trends from previous years. According to the most recent leaks, it will be on sale starting on August 22, 2024. This date corresponds to the last two weeks of August, done just like in previous years, as is shown below:
- 2023: August 24
- 2022: August 30
- 2021: August 24
- 2020: August 25
- 2019: August 27
The consistency in these dates indicates a very strong likelihood that Starbucks will follow through on this schedule, making August 22 the most probable date for the return of the PSL this year.
What’s in the Pumpkin Spice Latte?
The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a delicious combination of espresso, steamed milk, and real pumpkin flavor with an added accent of spices that include cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices on top, this drink can be taken either hot, iced, or blended. A regular Grande cup, 16-ounces-long, PSL consists of about 390 calories, 14 grams of fat, and 150 milligrams of caffeine, which truly marks it as a rich seasonal treat.
The 2024 fall menu
As far as seasonal beverages and food items go, Starbucks will reportedly have much more in its fall menu for 2024 besides the PSL. Informed sources leak the following items to be this year’s returning stars:
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
- Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte
- Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
- Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin
- Baked Apple Croissant
Newly added will be the following:
- Iced Apple Crisp Cream Chai—non-dairy
- Iced Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte
- Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam
- A new Raccoon Cake Pop and Mummy Cookie
All these new products are set to release in two waves, the first on August 22, with a second wave of products who are rumored to release around September 19.
The PSL cultural impact
The Pumpkin Spice Latte has outgrown the seasonal-beverage thing to become a kind of cultural phenomenon. Since its launch, Starbucks has sold hundreds of millions of PSLs that have driven a pumpkin spice-flavored product category across brands and retailers. Its fan base is huge enough to propel other coffee chains into versions of their own, really cementing the drink’s status as one of the autumn traditions for many consumers.
As the hysteria over autumn increases, so does that for Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte. Leaks indicate its return on the 22nd of August, 2024. Both new and returning menu items will be paired with this seasonal favorite. Whether you like it hot, iced, or blended, the PSL is sure to deliver that autumnal taste of warmth and coziness many have grown to love. Thus, save the date and soak in the explosion of autumn flavors this fall!
