Summer may be slipping from us faster than we might want, but if there’s one thing for certain, it’s that the pumpkin drinks arriving at coffee shops alike make up for it. And although I admittedly haven’t been an avid pumpkin-flavored drink kind of gal, I’ve finally become a steadfast believer in the most hyped pumpkin drink of them all: the PSL (AKA the Pumpkin Spice Latte).
pumpkin spice latte almond milk szn pic.twitter.com/1xQ8W0OydG
— felicity warner (@fwarnz) August 30, 2019
But suddenly, seemingly out of the blue, Starbucks single-handedly shook up the entire pumpkin world. Pumpkins everywhere found shook. For the first time since 2003, Starbucks released a brand new pumpkin-flavored drink this season. With an ingenious combination of a cozy, fall taste and a refreshing cold brew feel, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew was born.
As a cold brew fanatic, this had my name written all over. I head over to my local Starbucks, order a Grande and take my first sip. Unfortunately for my bank account, I’m hooked.
Day 1 post-Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew first try and I wake up thinking about it. Do I get dressed, go to my local Starbucks again, and order another Grande? Can neither confirm nor deny (JK, it def happened). Day 2 post-Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew — I’m suddenly at Starbucks for the third day in a row, ordering another one. If starting my day with one of these every day is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
Then it hit me: not one thought or craving for a Pumpkin Spice Latte crossed my mind these past days. Could it be? Is the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew better than the PSL? I’m daring enough to publicly announce that yes, yes it is.
Hear me out: I’m not the only one who’s ready to ditch the classic PSL for the cold brew-goodness that is the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.
“It’s the perfect fall sipper for anyone who wants to be festive, but also feel like an adult,” Assistant Video Editor Edel Rimando tells me. “If I were to get it again, I would actually get it with extra foam because the foam slaps.”
I can also attest to the sweet, frothy foam slapping.
“The return of pumpkin spice everything is what keeps me fueled as rosé season comes to an end. From actual pumpkins to pumpkin candles and, of course, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, there’s nothing better. That is until Starbucks unveiled its Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew. I almost don’t know how to describe how much I love it, because I love it that much. All I can tell you is that it’s the pumpkin spice beverage you didn’t know you’ve needed all along—the cinnamon aroma, the pumpkin taste, all without feeling like you’re sipping on that spiced cider candle you just bought from Anthropologie. Thank you, Starbucks.”
“It is SO much better than the PSL. It’s like the PSL went from being Spaghetti-Os with the PCB being handmade Italian pasta off of the coast of Cinque Terre,” says Senior Associate of Campus Community Julianne Skrivan.
That’s a hot take if I do say so myself.
“I am amazed,” says Marketing and Events Associate Kayla Hoey. “I don’t normally like pumpkin, but I’m currently drinking it like it’s the only liquid on Earth right now.”
So if you’re a die-hard PSL fan, may I invite you to the other side for a quick sec. Even if it doesn’t win over the classic PSL for you (which, like, fair enough), it might become a pleasant change of pace for your pumpkin fix.