A pumpkin spice latte tastes like a warm slice of pumpkin pie in drink form. It’s sweet and creamy, with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, plus a mellow espresso flavor in the background. So no, it doesn’t taste mainly like coffee. If that sounds like your kind of fall drink, it’s one of six pumpkin drinks we make, each with a slightly different flavor.

Key Takeaways

• “Pumpkin spice” refers to the baking spices associated with pumpkin pie, and pumpkin drink recipes can vary by coffee shop.
• If you want a stronger coffee flavor, add an extra espresso shot or try your pumpkin spice latte iced.
• Pumpkin White Mocha is a good pick if you like rich, sweet drinks, while Maple Pumpkin Macchiato brings more espresso flavor.
• Fall Harvest Cold Brew is the most coffee-forward choice, with pumpkin, brown sugar cinnamon, and shortbread cold foam.
• Pumpkin Chai skips espresso, while Pumpkin Caffogato turns pumpkin and espresso into an ice cream-based treat.
• Pumpkin spice lattes can be made hot or iced, and decaf or half-caff may be available if you want less caffeine.

What Does a Pumpkin Spice Latte Actually Taste Like?

A pumpkin spice latte tastes sweet, creamy, and warmly spiced. Think cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove mixed into steamed milk, with espresso in the background and a gentle coffee finish.

The closest comparison is a creamy fall dessert with a little coffee mixed in. The spices give it that familiar pumpkin-pie flavor.

And despite the name, “pumpkin spice” doesn’t taste anything like pumpkin fruit. It is connected to the sweet baking spices associated with pumpkin pie, so the overall taste is warm, sweet, and spiced.

Does a Pumpkin Spice Latte Taste Like Coffee?

Not strongly. A pumpkin spice latte contains espresso, but the coffee flavor sits underneath the milk, sweetness, and spice. It gives the drink a mellow coffee backbone rather than dominating each sip.

Having espresso in a drink doesn’t necessarily mean it will have a strong coffee taste. The milk and sweetness soften the espresso’s bitter flavor. 

If you don’t like black coffee, you may still like a pumpkin spice latte because it’s sweeter, creamier, and softer. If you usually drink unsweetened espresso drinks, it may taste more like a dessert.

If you want more coffee flavor, order an extra shot of espresso. That brings more of the roasted espresso flavor forward. You can also try an iced pumpkin spice latte if you want the coffee to come through more, though the exact flavor balance depends on how the drink is made.

Wait, Is There Even Pumpkin in It?

The famous pumpkin spice lattes didn’t contain real pumpkin until 2015, when its recipe was updated to include pumpkin purée.

That’s because “pumpkin spice” traditionally refers to the baking spices associated with pumpkin pie, not pumpkin itself.

Recipes vary from one coffee shop to another. Some pumpkin drinks use ingredients that contain real pumpkin, while others get their pumpkin flavor from syrups, sauces, and spices.

Does a Pumpkin Spice Latte Have Caffeine?

Yes, a pumpkin spice latte has caffeine because it’s made with espresso. With one shot of espresso, it has about 63 mg of caffeine. Add a second shot, and that increases to about 126 mg.

The sweet pumpkin spice and milk can make the coffee flavor less noticeable, but that doesn’t mean the caffeine isn’t there.

Which of Our Fall Drinks Should You Get?

Pick your fall drink from our limited-time collection.

Drink	Tastes like	Coffee level	Pick it if
Pumpkin Spice Latte	Creamy, warm pumpkin spice	Mellow	You want the classic
Pumpkin White Mocha	Sweet, smooth white chocolate + pumpkin spice	Mellow	You like it rich and sweet
Maple Pumpkin Macchiato	Pumpkin + maple with bold espresso	Espresso-forward	You want more coffee flavor
Fall Harvest Cold Brew	Pumpkin + brown sugar cinnamon + shortbread	Coffee-forward	You want cold brew with a sweet fall finish
Pumpkin Chai	Creamy pumpkin + warm chai spice	None	You want chai instead of an espresso drink
Pumpkin Caffogato	Creamy pumpkin + espresso dessert	Medium	You want a frozen treat

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Start with the Pumpkin Spice Latte if you want the fall classic. Espresso, milk, and warm pumpkin spice give you a creamy, cozy drink with coffee in the background.

Pumpkin White Mocha

If you like sweeter coffee, try the Pumpkin White Mocha. White chocolate makes it rich, sweet, and smooth, while pumpkin spice brings in the familiar fall flavor.

Maple Pumpkin Macchiato

The Maple Pumpkin Macchiato is a good pick when you want more espresso flavor. Pumpkin and maple are layered with milk, then topped with bold espresso, giving you a balance of sweetness and stronger coffee flavor.

Fall Harvest Cold Brew

Go with the Fall Harvest Cold Brew if cold coffee is more your style. Smooth cold brew gets pumpkin and brown sugar cinnamon flavors, plus a layer of shortbread cold foam on top. It keeps coffee at the center while still giving you plenty of fall flavor.

Pumpkin Chai

Pumpkin Chai is the choice for chai lovers. Warm chai spices and creamy pumpkin give it plenty of fall flavor without making espresso the focus.

Pumpkin Caffogato

Choose the Pumpkin Caffogato when you want coffee for dessert. It’s a creamy, ice cream-based espresso treat blended with pumpkin flavor, so it’s richer and more indulgent than the latte options.

FAQ

Is a pumpkin spice latte gluten-free?

A pumpkin spice latte can be gluten-free, but it depends on the syrups, sauces, and toppings used. If you need to avoid gluten, ask us about the ingredients and possible cross-contact before ordering.

Is a pumpkin spice latte hot or cold?

You can get a pumpkin spice latte hot or iced. Hot is cozy and creamy, while iced can taste a little less sweet and let more of the coffee flavor come through.

Can I get a pumpkin spice latte without caffeine?

If decaf espresso is available, you can order your pumpkin spice latte decaf or half-caff for less caffeine while keeping the same pumpkin spice flavor.