Has Starbucks changed their recipe for the Pumpkin Spice Latte?

On August 24th, 2023, Starbucks released their Fall line-up of drinks and sweet treats. People like me wait all year for this. People like me are also complete PSL snobs and will tend to notice the slightest of differences when something isn’t right.

Speaking of something just not being right, some PSL fans are taking to social media to share their thoughts about how the Pumpkin Spice Latte just doesn’t taste right this year.

Have you noticed any changes in the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks?

There are so many conflicting opinions out there about this that it’s actually pretty hard to keep track of. A lot of people were just simply saying that it ‘wasn’t hitting’ and there was just something off about it. Someone even went so far as to peak in the drive-thru window where they saw a whole entire pitcher of the pumpkin cold foam; this is important to note because they also said that the foam was literally falling flat (and no wonder if it’s all already pre-made, am I right?).

Some current and former Starbucks employees reacted to these claims saying the process to make one has slightly changed (1/2 pumps now instead of full pumps of the pumpkin syrup from before), while others, including directly from Starbucks themselves, are saying that absolutely nothing is different and that the recipe is the exact same from year-to-year.

Here’s the words directly from a Starbucks’ spokesperson/representative’s mouth to our ears:

"“…the recipes for Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew have not changed…the recipe has not changed and the amount of sauce is the same”."

Of course, it doesn’t actually matter what they say because they’re never going to actually tell you directly that stuff has changed or that it’s different from what all of the OG fans are used to. A few years back, the chain actually did make the switch from artificial to real pumpkin, but that’s certainly not the problem here.

What are your thoughts? I personally didn’t think that there was anything wrong with my debut PSL on opening day, but maybe I’m just less picky and less of a stickler than most other fans out there. Have your had your Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks yet this year? If so, what’s your favorite way to drink it? I personally think that they’re nasty cold/iced, but to each their own. If you haven’t had yours yet, then what the heck are you waiting for? See you there – enjoy and drink up!!