Grab your infinity scarf and wide-brimmed, millennial hat because pumpkin spice lattes are back. As I’m sure the coffee-obsessed University of Texas at Austin population has noticed by now, West Campus coffee shops have begun promoting their pumpkin spice lattes.
The pumpkin spice latte (nicknamed PSL) is almost infamous in its reputation. A symbol that fall has arrived even though it’s still hitting 90 degrees in October. Love it or hate it, you’ve probably had at least one by now.
Except I haven’t.
Ever.
I have some confessions to make.
Confession number one: I lost my coffee virginity barely six months ago.
Confession number two: I’ve never had a pumpkin spice latte.
Yes, you read that right. The eats writer is a coffee newbie and has never sipped the famous PSL. Please, hold back your taunts or tears.
The PSL was created by Starbucks Coffee in 2003 after their peppermint mocha gained the favor of coffee drinkers. Starbucks thought to expand on the “seasonal menu” by crafting a fall drink for their consumers. Thus, the PSL was born.
The PSL was an instant hit and its popularity was strengthened through social media in the early 2000s. Despite criticisms from corporate that Starbucks should retire it and experiment with a new drink each season, the PSL became a cult classic and returns year after year.
While I was unaware of what a PSL tasted like before I began my highly caffeinated experiment, I’d heard all the discourse around it. In my social circles and conversations I’ve eavesdropped on, heated discussions about the merits of a PSL frequently arose.
“It’s totally not overrated at all. If anything, it’s underrated and it gets too much undeserved hate,” said UT freshman Jordan Poblete.
Lily Woodburn, a Medici Coffee Roasters barista, agreed with the sentiment.
“It’s popular because it’s good,” she said.
Now that the fall season is upon us, I figured it was time to remedy my PSL-less existence. I set out to try (almost) every pumpkin spice latte at popular West Campus spots to give you my unfiltered thoughts.
At each coffee shop, I ordered their version of a hot PSL with oat milk. Yes, unfortunately, I am a lactose-intolerant girly, so that 70 cents to $1 gets slapped onto whatever coffee order I make.
After surveying numerous PSL drinkers, the consensus was a pumpkin spice latte begs to be enjoyed hot because, as Poblete put it, “you’re not getting the same experience if it’s cold.”
So join me, a coffee amateur, as I venture through West Campus to find the best PSL it has to offer.
Naturally, I will rank everything on a scale of one to five pumpkins.
- Daydreamer Coffee (Rambler)
Order: 12 ounce Pumpkin Spice Latte with oat milk
Price: $6.76
Coming in last is Daydreamer Coffee in the Rambler apartment lobby. While everything about this coffee shop and the drink itself screamed aesthetic-cozy-fall, and the price was the cheapest of the day, that was where the good vibes ended.
Unfortunately, upon the first sip, I began to ask myself if I had ordered wrong. Was there coffee in this coffee? Was something wrong with the oat milk? Is the pumpkin in the room with us? I’m very sad to say that this latte tasted like hot oat-adjacent water with a suggestion of cardamom at the end.
A very generous one and a half out of five pumpkins because the decor and staff were lovely.
- Starbucks Coffee
Order: Short (8 ounces) Pumpkin Spice Latte with oat milk
Price: $7.09
Don’t worry, since they were the originators of the PSL, I did start with Starbucks. The 24th St. location is a familiar haunt for most UT students despite its tricky lack of seating.
First of all, the price is ridiculous. The barista most definitely saw the incredulous look that crossed my face when she told me the total. Call me cheap, but $7 for an 8-ounce drink is an instant turnoff. I don’t even want to imagine how much a grande is.
In terms of taste, it was a solid sip. There was a nice blend of fall-associated spices in the foam and whipped cream. When I came to the coffee, however, I was left wanting a little more pumpkin flavor. A solid drink but incomparable to the others to come.
I’d give it three and a half out of five pumpkins.
- Centro
Order: 16 ounce (only size offered) Pumpkin Macchiato Latte with oat milk
Price: $7.21
Centro is such a hidden gem on Guadalupe Street, I often forget it exists. The staff is sweet and the decor resembles a Pinterest board of someone cooler and quirkier than me.
Again, the price took me aback, but I took comfort in the fact that I got a whopping 16 ounces of PSL this time (I’m looking at you, Starbucks). The whipped cream was very satisfying and the coffee underneath was just as good. Pumpkin flavor was strong in this one and there was a nice balance of spices, though I would have preferred a touch more.
The barista did tell me that the hot PSL as opposed to the iced was going to be less sweet since there was no flavored cold foam. I didn’t mind it though. Honestly, I found it a touch too sweet and slightly artificial. However, I think for the general palate (my sweet tolerance is very temperamental) it would be an overall satisfying sip!
A good four out of five pumpkins.
- Lucky Lab Coffee Co.
Order: 12 ounce Pumpkin Oat Latte
Price: $7.03
First of all, lactose-intolerant kiddos rejoice! Lucky Lab’s take on the PSL already comes with oat milk. They’ve dubbed it the Pumpkin Oat Latte on their fall menu.
Now, I’m no stranger to the Lucky Lab hate and claims that their coffee isn’t up to par. I also think their prices are outlandish, but I’m starting to think all West Campus coffee shops are like that. And while I completely respect a more coffee-experienced audience’s opinion, I have another confession–
Lucky Lab took my coffee virginity all those months ago.
So call it what you will: brand loyalty or taste bud bias. Either way, I like their coffee and their PSL was no exception.
Lucky Lab’s pumpkin oat latte had just the right level of pumpkin flavor without tasting too artificial or overly sweet. The spice ratio almost hit the mark; just a touch more and we might’ve had five pumpkins on our hands. And what can I say? I love it when the lactose kiddos can catch a break.
So our crowning jewel gets a four and a half out of five pumpkins.
Bonus: Medici Coffee Roasters
Medici was on my list due to its proximity to campus and popularity among students. Unfortunately, their Pumpkin Pie Latte was sold out. Maybe its unavailability signals a good sip? The world may never know.
It was a close race for some and a…not so close one for others. Ultimately, Lucky Lab won me over. Their pumpkin oat latte encompassed fall and almost had me convinced to buy some Ugg boots and call it “Christian Girl Autumn,” despite the weather making me sweat from all these hot drinks.
Love them or hate them, Woodburn gave what I consider fitting advice for those considering a PSL this fall:
Don’t be ashamed to get your pumpkin spice latte,” she said. “Get it. It’s good and it’s only around for a limited time. Take advantage.”
