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Life > Experiences

Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte Is Coming Back Sooner Than You Think

Shay Nicolay

August means summer is starting to wind down. Lots of college students often dwell on the downsides of summer coming to an end, like cooler weather, school starting, and busier work schedules. But it’s important to note the small joys of the fall season, like catching up with friends back on campus, sweater weather, and (of course) pumpkin spice lattes. And let’s be real — nobody does a pumpkin spice latte better than Starbucks, who’s celebrating 20 years of the drink in 2023. But when’s the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte coming back this year?

I don’t care if it’s considered “basic” by some people. The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is popular because it’s good! A properly-made Starbucks PSL warms your soul on a chilly day. It’s the perfect study partner and can help you believe everything will be OK. 

So, when is the silver lining of the fall season releasing this year at Starbucks? Starbucks finally confirmed the 2023 release date of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it’s way sooner than you think: It’ll be back on Thursday, Aug. 24.

Starbucks PSL & Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Starbucks

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte releases have fallen on the last Tuesday in August for the past five years, so we’re actually getting a few days earlier than normal. We previously predicted that this year’s launch would come on Tuesday, Aug. 29, and other publications also eyed the 29th as the big PSL release date. Instagram food account @Markie_devo then predicted that it was moved up because of the (reported) fall Dunkin menu releasing on Aug. 16, but that’s not confirmed.

What is confirmed, though, is the fall Starbucks menu! It includes two new fall-inspired drinks — the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte (say that five times fast) and the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato are both returning.

Starbucks Reserve locations are also getting a fall refresh, with bakery items like the Pumpkin Maritozzo and Pumpkin Spice Cake, not to mention drinks like the Starbucks Reserve Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Iced Latte, and Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini. There are so many options to choose from, I don’t know which one to start with after I finish a classic PSL.

So enjoy the sweater weather this year with a Starbucks PSL or some of the other fall menu items, and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the drink in style!

Shayna Nicolay has been a Her Campus National Writer since January 2023. She writes bi-weekly articles as well as covering timely content. She graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022, where she majored in journalism with a minor in graphic communications. Shayna was a contributing writer for her University's Chapter of Her Campus, and was the Editor-in-Chief of her University magazine, Folio. She also was the editorial intern for fashion content creator, Audree Kate Lopez, where she hired and managed a group of writers, ran the WordPress website, wrote and edited articles, and helped with social media copy. Shayna loves walks in nature, bingeing the newest TV show, beading jewelry, and is a mental health advocate. She loves storytelling and media, so content creation comes naturally to her. For the best memes, mental health tips, and bisexual visibility, follow Shayna @shaynicolay on Instagram and @shaynanicolay on TikTok.