Starbucks has once again welcomed an early fall season with a variety of new drinks and treats for autumn-flavor fans. This year’s lineup includes the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte, and a Pumpkin Loaf that gets us into that cozy fall mood. However, some criticize the early arrival of these items, which debuted on August 24, 2024.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a must-try fall drink that continues to be a fan favorite according to Starbucks workers. The PSL includes “signature espresso and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and real pumpkin-pie spices.” This drink is a classic that will never fail to provide you with a taste of fall. We tried the iced PSL and rated it a 6/10. The flavor is good, but it is missing the element of being fresh and exciting.

Our personal favorite was the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, which combines the warmth of chai spices with the creamy, pumpkin cold foam that tops the drink off perfectly. The pumpkin flavor does not overpower the original chai drink, which is appreciated. However, if chai is not your thing, this might not win you over.

The Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf never disappoints. Each fall, the warm pumpkin loaf is the perfect addition to your fall drink. But, as time goes on, this baked treat becomes a bit lackluster to some. In our opinion, the loaf deserves a rating of 5/10. We recommend going for the more classic baked goods such as the chocolate croissant or the lemon loaf.

The release of the Starbucks fall drink menu is known to signal the beginning of Fall, but with the release being August 22, 2024, and the weather still being a scorching 95 degrees, the allure of the drinks is not quite the same.