Though summer is still in full swing, one coffee chain has already set its sights on the cozy embrace of autumn.
La Colombe is ahead of the fall festivities, reintroducing its beloved Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte starting August 4—well before Starbucks unveils its fall-themed offerings later this month.
This early release highlights the competitive rush among retailers eager to tap into America’s pumpkin spice passion. According to research commissioned by La Colombe, approximately 70 percent of U.S. consumers eagerly anticipate this seasonal flavor’s yearly debut.
Based in Philadelphia, La Colombe says this year marks the earliest they’ve ever released their Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte, granting autumn enthusiasts a taste of fall even as summer heat lingers across the nation.
This version from La Colombe features genuine pumpkin purée paired with a blend of warm spices, offering a smoother and less sweet spin on the classic autumnal favorite.
The drink will be available in all La Colombe cafés from August 4.
Its arrival comes just three weeks before Starbucks officially launches its highly anticipated fall menu on August 25, when the chain’s iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) returns alongside a raft of new and returning seasonal drinks.
La Colombe has announced it is bringing back its popular Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte from August 4 – weeks before Starbucks rolls out its famous fall menu later this month
This year Starbucks is also introducing several new pumpkin-inspired beverages, including an Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso, Pumpkin Spice Chai, and Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha, while bringing back fan favorites including the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, and Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai.
The coffee giant is also reviving its popular pecan-flavored drinks, launching banana bread-inspired beverages and debuting a new cider-inspired chai drink dubbed the Chaider.
But while Starbucks has become almost synonymous with pumpkin spice season, it wasn’t actually the first company to experiment with pumpkin-flavored coffee.
Independent coffee shops across the US had been serving pumpkin spice lattes for years, but Starbucks’ 2003 launch transformed the niche autumn drink into a global cultural phenomenon.
The drink – which underwent months of product testing – was originally launched at around 100 stores before quickly expanding nationwide after proving an instant success.
The original recipe combined Starbucks’ signature espresso with steamed milk, pumpkin pie-inspired spices including cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice.
Interestingly, the first Pumpkin Spice Latte did not actually contain real pumpkin, relying instead on flavored syrup to recreate the taste.
That changed in 2015, when Starbucks reformulated the drink following growing consumer demand for simpler ingredients.
More than two decades after its debut, Starbucks says hundreds of millions of Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been sold worldwide, making it one of the most successful seasonal beverages ever created
This year Starbucks is also introducing several new pumpkin-inspired beverages, including an Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso, Pumpkin Spice Chai, and Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha
Since then, the syrup has included real pumpkin puree alongside cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.
More than two decades after its debut, Starbucks says hundreds of millions of Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been sold worldwide, making it one of the most successful seasonal beverages ever created.
The drink’s popularity has also helped fuel what marketing experts now call the ‘pumpkin spice economy.’
Every year, retailers release thousands of pumpkin spice-themed products ranging from breakfast cereals and cookies to candles, dog treats, deodorant and even Spam.
The annual return of pumpkin spice has also become something of a cultural milestone, with social media users treating the launch as the unofficial beginning of fall – regardless of what the calendar says.
Retailers have increasingly been pushing seasonal launches earlier each year as they compete to capture consumer attention, with Halloween merchandise often appearing in stores by July and Christmas products arriving before October.
Coffee chains are no exception.
By unveiling its Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte on August 4, La Colombe has beaten Starbucks to market by three weeks – potentially tempting eager fans who simply can’t wait until the coffee giant’s traditional late-August launch.
Alongside its drinks, Starbucks will also introduce new seasonal food items this year, including a Chicken Bacon Protein Pocket, a Hedgehog Cake Pop, and the returning Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin.
The company is also releasing a new collection of pumpkin-themed merchandise for self-proclaimed members of its ‘PSL Society.’
Whether La Colombe’s head start proves enough to lure loyal Starbucks customers remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: pumpkin spice season has officially arrived – even if summer hasn’t quite left yet.