Pumpkin Spice season started early this year with many chains rolling out their products in August, but the Pumpkin Spice Latte is still the king and Food Network set out to rate some of the most popular 2022 PSLs. They picked these seven to test for flavor and consistency.
- Starbucks – A staple on the menu for 19 years and the testers said the current version tastes exactly like it did then and it’s still #1 with flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and espresso.
- Le Pain Quotidien – Their PSL is made with organic pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla syrup with only 34 grams of sugar but it was a little light on the coffee flavor.
- Peet’s Pumpkin Latte – This one uses dark roast espresso and steamed milk and mild spices so it’s more like a cappuccino and could use more pumpkin flavor. Also mentioned was a large choice of alternative milk options including oat, soy, almond, half & half and heavy cream.
- McDonald’s McCafé – This lower-cost PSL returns after a 3-year hiatus and one tester found it too sweet while another said if was better than Starbucks’. It’s made with 100% Arabica bean espresso and pumpkin-flavored syrup and a small one goes for $3.
- Krispy Kreme – The PSL complements their Cinnamon Sugar Churrdoughs or Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed Doughnuts but was also light on the pumpkin flavor.
- Dunkin’ – one of the sweetest PSLs tested with pumpkin syrup and whipped cream and not much coffee flavor.
- 7-Eleven – This chain rolled out their PSL back on August 5th and it was highly rated with a creamy, spicy flavor.
Source: Food Network