Starbucks launched this year’s autumn range in the US and Canada on 25 August. According to the company, the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte and other seasonal products delivered the strongest first day for an autumn launch in Starbucks’ history in those two countries. This year, the autumn menu will also be rolled out to other markets around the world.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte returned to the Starbucks menu on 25 August, alongside new and returning autumn drinks, food items and a seasonal collection of merchandise. The drink, which Starbucks launched more than two decades ago, remains part of the autumn range this year.
Three new pumpkin drinks
Alongside the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai and Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino are making a comeback this year. The range is complemented by three new pumpkin-flavoured drinks. The Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso combines Starbucks Blonde Espresso with brown sugar syrup and cinnamon. The drink is served over ice with oat milk and finished with pumpkin cream cold foam.
Another new addition is the Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha, which combines iced matcha with pumpkin cream cold foam. The third new drink is the Pumpkin Spice Chai, made with black tea, cinnamon and other spices, steamed milk and sweet pumpkin sauce. The drink is finished with a sprinkling of pumpkin spice.
Pecan returns, banana bread arrives
Pecan-flavoured drinks also remain part of the autumn range. The Pecan Cortado is made with Starbucks Blonde Espresso, pecan flavouring and steamed whole milk. The Iced Pecan Crunch Latte and Pecan Crunch Latte combine espresso with notes of pecan, brown butter and baking spices.
This year, Starbucks is also expanding its range to include two drinks inspired by banana bread. The Iced Banana Bread Latte combines Blonde Espresso, banana syrup, milk and ice, and is topped with brown sugar cream cold foam and a sprinkling of cinnamon. The Iced Banana Bread Chai combines chai with banana syrup, brown sugar cream cold foam and a cinnamon dolce topping.
Another new addition is the Iced Chaider, which combines Starbucks chai with Strawberry Açaí flavouring and is designed to resemble a refreshing, cider-style drink.
There are also new food items
The autumn menu also features new additions to the food range. The Chicken Bacon Protein Pocket contains chicken, crispy bacon and creamy garlic and herb cheese, wrapped in toasted wholemeal lavash. According to Starbucks, it contains 20 grams of protein.
Another new addition is the Hedgehog Cake Pop, made from vanilla cake and buttercream, dipped in chocolate coating and decorated with chocolate sprinkles. The Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin is back, featuring a spiced pumpkin muffin with a sweet cream cheese filling and chopped pumpkin seeds.
Starbucks has also expanded its range of autumn snacks to include several protein- and fibre-rich products, including the Chomps Original Beef Stick, the Olli Genoa Salami & Fontina Cheese Snack Tray, the Floura Blueberry Matcha Fibre Bar and the CIRC Peanut Chocolate Chip Protein Bites.
Record-breaking first day
According to Starbucks, 25 August was the strongest day for the company’s autumn launch in the US and Canada. The new Hedgehog Cake Pop also recorded record one-day sales, becoming Starbucks’ best-selling autumn cake pop. The return of the autumn range was accompanied by a campaign featuring Martha Stewart and actor Belmont Cameli. At the same time, Starbucks launched a limited-edition PSL Society collection, which includes seasonal mugs, cold cups, tumblers, an Owala bottle and a Pumpkin Spice Latte-themed cap.
This year, Starbucks’ autumn range will gradually be rolled out to more than 85 markets worldwide.
