Fans say it's 'too early' as more brands drop pumpkin menu details amid Starbucks relaunch
Love it or loathe it - Pumpkin Spice Latte season is inevitable. And while we remain deep in the throes of summer, a trifecta of beloved brands are already looking ahead to fall, detailing exactly when their pumpkin favourites will relaunch.
On Monday (3 August), Starbucks announced that its iconic spiced beverage would be back on the board by the end of the month.
It’s set to be accompanied by returning heroes - the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai and Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino - and new kids on the block, including an Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso and a Pumpkin Spice Chai.
Finishing up the Starbucks 2026 fall menu is a set of pecan-flavoured drinks, an Iced Banana Bread Latte and an Iced Banana Bread Chai, and a Chaider, which can either come hot or cold, depending on your mood.
Advert
But the coffee house chain isn’t the only brand to announce a pumpkin-forward portfolio, with Dairy Queen and Dunkin’ Doughnuts not far behind.
Fans question if it’s too soon for the PSL
Naturally, some fans are ecstatic to hear that the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back for another round at Starbucks.
However, some have questioned if it’s ‘too early’ to be thinking about the fall staple in the initial days of August… or ‘Augtober’ as its referred to online.
“People complain about Christmas creep but I'm here to tell you, Pumpkin Spice season starting at end of July is a far greater blight on society,” one social media user said.
Another wrote: “Overhyped every year. What makes this one different from last year's?”
“It's August 3rd. It's nearly 80°. It's 4000 percent humidity. ISTG if I hear one more person talking about pumpkin spice or fall,” a third said, accompanied by a ‘Shut the f**k up’ GIF.
A fourth joked: “You know summer about to be over soon as Starbucks announce that fall pumpkin spice lineup start date.”
“Is it too early for pumpkin spice?,” someone else questioned.
If you’re in team PSL then good news because Dairy Queen and Dunkin’ Doughnuts have just detailed their mouth-watering fall menus.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Dairy Queen 2026 fall range
Rivalling Starbucks this coming cosy season is Dairy Queen, the sweet treat favourite that quietly closed a ton of stores across the United States recently.
However, unlike the chain, DQ isn’t waiting—fall has already arrived.
On the same day that Starbies announced its PSL relaunch, the fast-food brand revealed its August Blizzard of the Month would be Caramel Apple Cheesecake flavoured.
The moreish delight features soft serve blended with cheesecake pieces and caramel apple topping, delivering ‘cosy flavors… in a cool, creamy treat’, per a press release.
DQ proclaimed: “It's a delicious way to satisfy seasonal cravings while the weather is still warm and for fans to fall a little harder for fall.”
On 31 August, a new Fall Treat Collection is set to arrive, featuring the return of the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat.
The latter sees real pumpkin pie pieces blended with soft serve to BLIZZARD perfection. It’s garnished with whipped topping and nutmeg.
A Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Blizzard and a Toasted Marshmallow Mocha Coffee Cooler will join the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard.
“Cold brew blended with world-famous soft serve and ice- cupscaped with cocoa fudge and garnished with whipped topping and cocoa fudge,” is how the brand described the coffee cooler.
Meanwhile, the Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Blizzard is built with brown sugar cookie dough pieces and brown sugar topping blended with soft serve ice cream.
How to get a DQ Blizzard for 99 cents
From 3 to 30 August, Dairy Queen customers can use the app to get a Blizzard Treat for just 99 cents.
Rewards members can make good on the deal by buying one Blizzard Treat at full price. A second one can then be purchased for $0.99.
Dunkin’ Doughnuts brings back pumpkin
Dunkin’ will beat both Starbucks and Dairy Queen to the punch by announcing pumpkin will be back on the menu by 19 August.
“now that it's august… we've got some BIG news,” the chain wrote on social media.
Unfortunately, that’s all the news we’ve got for now as the chain has yet to drop official fall menu details.
However, we can probably expect the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte to be back on the menu alongside the fan-favourite Apple Cider Doughnut.
The Providence Journal also wrote that maple sugar bacon and pumpkin chai lattes could make a comeback. Fingers crossed!
Ella Scott