Better than the original PSL? Why the new Starbucks pumpkin chai is the best fall flavor yet
Coffee lovers, rejoice. The long-awaited Starbucks pumpkin spice latte has made its annual return, along with several other new and returning fall flavors.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the pumpkin spice latte, which was originally created by the Seattle-based coffee chain in 2003. The PSL is now Starbucks' most popular seasonal drink, with hundreds of millions sold over the last 20 years. Last year, the term was even added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
The PSL craze has since spread, and almost every coffee shop has its own version of it, including other national chains like Dunkin' and Dutch Bros. But for many, only the original Starbucks version will do.
A new fall debut flavor might change that.
When does Starbucks get fall drinks 2023?
Starbucks brought back fan-favorite fall flavors like pumpkin spice as well as two new drink flavors on Aug. 24.
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What are Starbucks fall drinks 2023?
The new drink flavors are an iced apple crisp oat milk shaken espresso and an iced pumpkin cream chai tea latte. Starbucks also introduced a new baked apple croissant.
Returning fall flavors include the pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin cream cold brew and the apple crisp oat milk macchiato.
New Starbucks pumpkin drink
The addition of soft pumpkin cream to a chai latte is truly the pinnacle of fall drinks. Not cloyingly sweet like the PSL, the pumpkin chai offers more of a warm spiced cinnamon taste.
The drink was inspired by a popular customer and barista combination, according to a press release. It combines the same pumpkin cream cold foam that was originally introduced to top the pumpkin cream cold brew, with spiced chai notes and just a "dusting" of pumpkin spice.
The moment the pumpkin cream touched my lips, I was instantly transported to an autumnal place where red leaves crunched underfoot and a cozy jacket protected me against a chilly wind — a far cry from my reality, which was a decidedly summery uptown Phoenix Starbucks in 90-degree weather.
What is the difference between pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin chai latte?
The most obvious difference is that the PSL is typically ordered hot (though you can get it iced), while the new pumpkin chai is only recommended in iced form.
Beyond that, the pumpkin spice latte is, of course, the OG of Starbucks fall drinks. Made with Starbucks signature espresso and steamed milk with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices, it's a good drink, but not my favorite. It's more like a dessert than a pick-me-up.
The iced pumpkin chai latte, on the other hand, is comforting in the best way and subtle enough to sip at my desk while I work, without having to wash it down with water afterward.
A controversial take? After 20 years, they cracked the code. The new pumpkin chai is just a better drink overall than the original PSL.
Nutrition facts for new Starbucks fall drinks and PSL
A grande iced pumpkin cream chai latte is 460 calories with 66 grams of sugar and 17 grams of fat.
The new iced apple crisp oatmilk shaken espresso is 180 calories with 21 grams of sugar and 4.5 grams of fat.
The classic PSL is 390 calories with 50 grams of sugar and 14 grams of fat.
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Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on X, formerly Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Better than PSL? Pumpkin chai and other new Starbucks drinks to try
