Starbucks announces 'unofficial start of fall' as Pumpkin Spice Latte season begins today

It's become the unofficial official signal that Christmas is near when Mariah Carey dusts off her popular catchy tune All I Want For Christmas Is You. And it's no different when Halloween is looming leaves are starting to fall from the trees... At which point, there's one seasonal beverage that really screams fall at you - a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.

And Starbucks has officially called it to announce that the popular beverage, shortened to PSL, returns on August 26 for fans in the US and reportedly Canada.

"PSL fans can mark their calendars for the unofficial start of fall on August 26 when the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte, made with real pumpkin, will return to Starbucks coffeehouses," the coffee chain said.

Made with real pumpkin, the iconic drink returns to Starbucks coffeehouses and it's not flying solo. Starbucks also announced a host of other drinks like the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, and Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte are also on offer.

There's also a new Pecan Oatmilk Cortado and for the hungry, Italian Sausage Egg Bites, all of which were announced back in July alongside the PSL news.

The PSL made its debut in 2003, and Starbucks has previously said it's their most popular seasonal beverage. And it's easy to see why. It's made with real pumpkin, and combines Starbucks Signature Espresso and steamed milk with a flavour combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. It's topped with whipped cream (for the indulgent) and you can traditionally have it hot, iced or in some cases, blended. What's not to love?

Starbucks also said that for 'coffee fans who are celebrating #Summerween', a host of coffees and creamers are available online and in some grocery shops in the US, with Starbucks® ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages making a comeback too in certain places. But they did caution that the seasonal line-up is available for a limited time. The line-up includes the ready-to-drink Iced Espresso Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino® Chilled Coffee Drink.

Just last month other Starbucks news included changes being made to the menu and the pricing strategy, too, and customers’ creativity around add-ons and ‘secret menu’ orders.

Courtesy of the Starbucks mobile app, it was reported customers could see a host of alternative menu options inspired by social media trends and word-of-mouth ideas that have spawned some inventive ‘secret menu’ items.

The four new options listed last month include: cookies on top, dragon fruit glow-up, lemon, tea and pearls, and just add white mocha. The app also features Starbucks’ explanations for what these entail.

The UK Starbucks Instagram account posted a teaser a few days ago with a few pics in a montage including pumpkins, a Starbucks drink topped with cream and more, captioning it: "Autumn loading", so hopefully that means we won't wait too long for our turn to indulge in a PSL. Fans were eager to know specifics, with one writing in the comments: "Tell us when!!!!! Been refreshing all day as was the 22nd last year!". Another said: "Great, tell us when the PSL is back! I felt personally attacked when I walked past the location in my town today and couldn’t order one."

While we're enjoying the last few days that summer has to offer, the countdown clock to Halloween has officially begun.