Every autumn, Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte dominates the conversation. It has become a ritual for many, a seasonal marker as familiar as turning leaves and shorter days. Yet, as with all enduring favourites, not everyone is convinced. The PSL has as many detractors as devotees, and this year, a new contender is dividing opinion once again.
A drink that looks the part, but isn’t coffee at all, is beginning to make its mark. The Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte has quietly moved from being a simple niche customisation to a full-on social media trend, appearing both in the Starbucks app’s rotating offers and across countless TikTok videos. It takes a base of iced matcha and layers it with autumnal flavours in a way that feels unexpected but timely.
The construction seems to look as good as it apparently tastes. First, the matcha brings a lighter, fresher profile compared to espresso. Brown sugar syrup adds warmth. One pump of pumpkin sauce delivers the seasonal note.
To top it off: a finish of pumpkin cream cold foam and a topping of pumpkin spice. The result is quite a sight, with a green-and-orange appearance some have compared to Halloween confectionery.
Securing the drink is straightforward once you know how to order it. If the Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte appears under offers in the app, it can be added with a single tap.
Otherwise, in person, you can easily order the Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte at Starbucks by asking for the following: an iced matcha latte with oat milk in place of 2% (or any milk of choice), no classic sweetener, two pumps of brown sugar syrup, one pump of pumpkin sauce, pumpkin cream cold foam on top, and a final dusting of pumpkin spice topping.
After TikTok creators like @_justsimplebee posted their videos showing off the autumn treat, responses have been enthusiastic, if not unanimous. One user remarked: “I love the girlies that get straight to posting the order”.
Meanwhile, another admitted: “Now I wanna leave work to go order.” Responding to a similar video posted by @baked_bybrit, even scepticism has carried a certain fondness, with one comment reading: “Matcha tastes like grass but f***ing delicious!!!!”
For those who find espresso-heavy drinks overwhelming but still want to take part in autumn’s ritual flavours, this new option offers an alternative. Sure, the Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte is unlikely to replace the Pumpkin Spice Latte’s cultural status, but it has carved out its own following.
Whether embraced or dismissed, it confirms once again that Starbucks’ seasonal menu is designed as much for conversation as it is for taste.
Featured Image Credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ben Williams