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    Which Coffee Chain Has the Best Pumpkin Drink? Review

    Press RoomBy No Comments5 Mins Read

    Updated

    • I tried pumpkin drinks from Dunkin’, Dutch Bros, and Starbucks to see which chain does it best.
    • Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte was good, but it wasn’t my favorite drink.
    • Dutch Bros’ caramel and pumpkin drink blew the competition away.

    Summer may not be over, but the fall-favorite Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte or “PSL” is set to return to the chain’s menu next week.

    Many consumers have looked forward to the limited release of the drink every year since its 2003 debut. Since then, many competing cafés and popular coffee chains have offered their own variations of it.

    Though Starbucks is the “OG,” I wanted to see how its PSL compared to pumpkin-flavored iced drinks at other big chains, Dutch Bros and Dunkin’. Here’s how they stacked up.

    Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published on October 30, 2024, and most recently updated on August 22, 2025. Prices are subject to change, and some drinks may not currently be available.

    First, I ordered from Dutch Bros.


    exterior of a dutch bros location

    Dutch Bros is a drive-thru-only coffee chain.


    Meredith Schneider

    There’s nothing more satisfying to me than pulling into an empty Dutch Bros parking lot super early on a weekday.

    The Oregon-based chain has more than 900 locations across the US, and it’s drive-up/drive-thru only.

    I usually just go through the drive-thru, but I ordered my caramel pumpkin-brûlée breve ahead of time on the app so I could park and walk up to the window. Since Dunkin’ only offers an iced pumpkin beverage, that’s how I ordered this one, too.

    The 24-ounce, medium-sized drink cost me $7.59.

    The added caramel gave the drink a boost of smooth flavor.


    pumpkin iced coffee from dutch bros

    Dutch Bros sells a pumpkin breve.


    Meredith Schneider

    The seasonal drink had almost no trace of pumpkin-pie spices. However, I did taste a hint of nuttiness that I associate with actual pumpkins.

    The smooth, sweet caramel added a lot to the drink. Mixed with the other flavors, it almost tasted smoky, which felt very autumnal to me.

    Additionally, when the sweetened cold foam on top seeped into the drink, it added a lovely creamy texture.

    Then, I headed to Starbucks.


    exterior shot of a starbucks in the midwest

    Starbucks is known for its Pumpkin Spice Latte.


    Meredith Schneider

    I took a right out of the Dutch Bros’ parking lot, crossed through one light, and swung right into Starbucks.

    It’s not necessarily surprising that the chain was so easy to find, considering there are tens of thousands of locations around the world.

    I placed a pick-up order for my iced Pumpkin Spice Latte. The medium, 16-ounce drink cost me $7.21.

    The PSL was full of flavor.


    iced pumpkin spice latte from starbucks

    I got an iced version for a fair comparison between the chains.


    Meredith Schneider

    Starbucks’ PSL has changed over the years — for example, in 2015 the chain began using a real pumpkin puree in its sauce.

    The beverage I tasted seemed allspice-heavy and came topped with thick whipped cream and cinnamon.

    Of the three drinks I tried, Starbucks had the darkest brew of coffee.

    Although the flavor was nice and full, which paired well with the warming spices, the aftertaste seemed bitter.

    Lastly, I grabbed the iced drink at Dunkin’.


    exterior shot of a dunkin donuts in the midwest

    Dunkin’ has added more seasonal items to its menu over the years.


    Meredith Schneider

    Dunkin’ has introduced a rotating cast of seasonal drinks and doughnuts to its fall lineup over the last 10 or so years.

    Although you can find the Massachusetts-based chain on street corners across the East Coast, it’s a little less common in my Midwest city. Luckily, there’s a drive-thru-only Dunkin’ not too far from me.

    I placed my order on the app, and my pumpkin-spice iced signature latte was ready as soon as I pulled up to the window.

    The medium, 24-ounce drink came to $6.01, making it the best value on this list.

    Dunkin’s pumpkin latte tasted more like chai to me.


    iced pumpkin coffee from dunkin'

    There were more warming spices in Dunkin’s pumpkin-flavored coffee.


    Meredith Schneider

    I don’t have Dunkin’ that often, so I’m not sure if this is standard, but the espresso shot was pretty weak. It tasted more like a chai latte to me.

    The pumpkin-spice syrup was also super sweet, and the drink wasn’t as creamy as the other two.

    One of the saving graces was the big pile of whipped cream on top. It was thick and added a buttery flavor to the beverage.

    For me, Dutch Bros’ pumpkin drink dethroned Starbucks’ PSL.


    pumpkin next to pumpkin coffees from Starbucks, dutch bros, and dunkin'

    Dutch Bros caramel-pumpkin coffee took the cake for me.


    Meredith Schneider

    Dutch Bros’ sweet, creamy caramel pumpkin-brûlée breve was the winner for me. Even though the seasonal drink didn’t taste like traditional pumpkin spice, I thought it had a unique, autumnal vibe.

    Although I didn’t dislike Starbucks’ PSL, it was a little too bitter for me — especially with the strong mulling spices.

    Dunkin’s drink tasted more like an overly sweet chai latte, so I probably wouldn’t order it again.

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