When Does Pumpkin Spice Return to Coffee Shops and Stores?

When it comes to weather, most people find themselves in one of two camps. They either enjoy the sweltering heat of summertime and want to sweat it out for as long as possible, or they’re always one chilly morning away from getting their sweatshirts and jackets out of the closet and embracing lower temperatures, football games, falling leaves, and other hallmarks of autumn.

One of the most popular fall traditions is the annual introduction of pumpkin spice flavors, especially at your local coffee shop.

Whether you want to order a cold drink with pumpkin spice flavors, or you love the idea of warming your hands around a steaming pumpkin spice latte, it’s just not fall until you can get something pumpkin spice in your hands and stomach.

Now that we’re halfway through August and inching closer to the first day of fall on September 22, 2024, can you order pumpkin spice now, or do you have to wait a bit longer before you can start enjoying fall’s favorite flavor?

The History of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte

Most people think of Starbucks when they think of pumpkin spice. That shouldn’t come as any surprise when you realize that the most popular coffee chain in the US has been putting pumpkin spice lattes in the hands of customers for more than two decades now.

On October 10, 2003, Starbucks introduced the first pumpkin spice latte in 100 stores across the United States and Canada.

Those 100 stores were all based in Vancouver B.C. and Washington D.C., and the product only hit those shelves after a tedious testing process, during which the Starbucks team in charge of new products had spent some time eating pumpkin pie and chasing it with a sip of hot espresso to better understand the flavor profiles.

Those professionals worked in the famous “Liquid Lab,” a special area on the seventh floor of Starbucks’ headquarters in Seattle, Washington.

The pumpkin spice latte wasn’t Starbucks’ first foray into seasonal flavors.

Before they embraced the spirit of fall, Starbucks had already started offering the peppermint mocha and the eggnog latte for Christmas. When they saw the success of those limited edition, annual flavors, Starbucks wanted to find ways to expand that product line. Pumpkin spice came into our lives, and it hasn’t left.

Interestingly enough, the pumpkin spice latte, which comes with the now famous PSL on cups at Starbucks almost carried another name. Initially, the team in the Liquid Lab wanted to call it the Fall Harvest Latte, because they felt like a sip of this drink would encapsulate everything that people love about autumn.

2024 is the 21st year of Starbucks' now famous pumpkin spice latte.

Over the course of those 21 years, the company has become synonymous with pumpkin spice, fall, and everything else that the drink brings to mind.

There’s some good news for those who love fall. Starbucks isn’t reportedly getting ready to bring back this seasonal favorite before fall actually starts.

When Can I Get Pumpkin Spice at Starbucks?

While the first pumpkin spice latte hit Starbucks’ menus in October of 2003, the company has started releasing the drink earlier and earlier over the years. That’s great news for autumn enthusiasts who want to celebrate their favorite season for as long as possible.

In 2020, Starbucks put the drink on the menu on August 25. This was a much-welcomed sight, as it provided some level of normalcy during a time when most people were still trying to deal with quarantines, COVID tests, stay-at-home orders, and other aspects of the ongoing pandemic.

The world was scrambling for something normal and familiar during that time, and Starbucks helped by bringing out one of their most popular drinks earlier than ever.

The early release of pumpkin spice lattes in 2020 was such a hit that Starbucks went back to the well in 2021, when they busted out the fall menu on August 24. They pushed things back nearly a week in 2022, releasing the PSL on August 30, but they reverted back to August 24 for the 2023 season.

Between 2020 and 2022, Starbucks dropped their pumpkin spice lattes on Tuesdays, but in 2023, the drink’s release was moved to a Thursday.

Starbucks has yet to announce the official release date of their pumpkin spice lattes for 2024, but that’s not much of a surprise. Anticipation is part of the fun, and Starbucks typically likes to announce that PSLs are on the menu the morning that they release.

However, if the past is any indication of the future, and it usually is when it comes to Starbucks and its holiday releases, we should be able to expect pumpkin spice season 2024 to start sometime between August 19 and August 24.

Can You Order Pumpkin Spice Now?

There are few images more synonymous with fall than the legendary Starbucks logo, but the biggest coffee company in North America isn’t the only spot that you can go to fulfill your autumn cravings.

Even if you consider Starbucks’ PSL as the crème de la crème of pumpkin spice flavors, you don’t have to wait until they release their version of the drink to start enjoying some pumpkin-spiced goodness.

7-Eleven

7-Eleven, the biggest convenience store chain in the world, started putting pumpkin spice coffee drinks in their machines on August 1, a full seven weeks before fall officially starts. Seven-11 also changed the game in 2024, bringing in the first-ever Pumpkin Spice Slurpee.

Since there was still plenty of summertime left when the convenience store giant rolled out its annual fall flavors, they found a way for customers to stay cool while still embracing autumn flavors.

Krispy Kreme

On August 12, 2024, Krispy Kreme got into the annual fall game when it rolled out its fall menu. In addition to the traditional pumpkin spice latte, Krispy Kreme also has a wildly popular Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut that customers wait all year to sink their teeth into.

Dave Skena, the Global Chief Brand Officer for Krispy Kreme announced on the morning of August 12, 2024, “It's August and we're all ready for pumpkin spice, somehow. So, we're bringing back the classics you're craving."

iHop

iHop has already unveiled its fall menu, which won’t be available until September 1, 2024. The famous breakfast food chain is going to offer a pumpkin spice cold-brew coffee drink, pumpkin spice pancakes, and pumpkin spice cheesecake pancakes.

Tim Horton's

Finally, for those who live up north, Tim Horton’s rolled out their pumpkin spice drinks, with a bit of a catch in early August.

Rewards members who order through the Tim Horton’s app could start getting pumpkin spice drinks in August. The drinks will be available to everyone else beginning on September 1.

Can I Get Pumpkin Spice Flavors in Stores?

If you just can’t wait until your local Starbucks starts offering pumpkin spice options at their shops, you don’t have to.

Pumpkin spice-flavored coffees and creamers have hit store shelves across the nation as of mid-August, which means you can get your pumpkin spice fix at home.

Dunkin has also already hit grocery store shelves with its pumpkin spice flavors, including one that comes with a bit of a twist. 27 states across the nation will be carrying Dunkin’s boozy pumpkin spice flavors, which are spiked.

The Return of Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin spice season is here, even if it hasn’t fully rolled out into every restaurant. Go ahead and start getting your favorite fall wardrobe items out and embrace the change as you enjoy everyone’s favorite seasonal drink from your favorite coffee shop or at home.