Starbucks has been crowned the winner of a Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) taste test across five UK high street chains, while Pret scored the lowest. The original PSL, first created by Starbucks in Seattle in 2003, remains the seasonal benchmark.
Maicey Navarro Griffiths, Lifestyle Reporter for Metro, tested Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Pret, Greggs, Gail's, Black Sheep Coffee, and Starbucks. She evaluated spice profile, pumpkin flavour, coffee strength, sweetness, texture, and price. Notably, McDonald's, Caffè Nero, and Costa are not offering PSLs this year, instead featuring seasonal alternatives such as Caffè Nero's new Cinnamon Roll Latte.
Pret Scores Lowest
Pret's Pumpkin Spice Latte scored 1/5. At £4.70 for a regular and £5.10 for a large, it was described as tasting more like standard coffee with added sweetness. The pumpkin flavour was almost non-existent, the coffee was not particularly strong, and the latte was thin and watery, with no cream, minimal foam, and no pumpkin spice topping.
Greggs scored 2.5/5. Its hot Pumpkin Spice Latte costs £2.85 for a regular and £3.45 for a large. The pumpkin flavour was stronger than Pret's but still not very noticeable. The coffee had a pleasant bitterness, but the drink was thinner than others, with only a small layer of foam on top.
Mid-Range and Runner-Up
Gail's scored 3/5, offering a more noticeable pumpkin flavour topped with shortbread pieces. It was not as sweet as some options but remained creamy and indulgent. However, the shortbread topping became slightly problematic towards the end, making the drink feel a little lumpy. At £5.90, it was the most expensive option tested.
Black Sheep Coffee scored 4/5, with prices ranging from £4.49 for a small to £5.69 for a large, plus iced versions. The drink had a strong coffee flavour without overpowering the pumpkin, creating a better balance. It was sweet, thick, and creamy, topped with pumpkin sauce, but just missed out on the winning drink's pumpkin and espresso mix.
Starbucks Takes the Crown
Starbucks scored 5/5, costing £5.50 for a Tall (regular), only 1p more than Black Sheep's regular. The drink was described as creamy without being overwhelming, sweet without becoming sickly, and had the perfect balance of pumpkin, spice, and espresso. It featured cinnamon notes, whipped cream, and a pumpkin spice topping.
The Starbucks PSL is available in Tall (£5.50), Grande (£6.05), and Venti (£6.60), with options for signature espresso, blonde, or decaf beans, and a range of dairy and dairy-free milks. Variations include the Pumpkin Spice Caramel Macchiato, Pumpkin Spice Coffee Frappuccino, and iced versions. The article concludes that for those buying only one PSL this autumn, Starbucks remains the one to beat.
