We may already be a week into pumpkin spice season for some coffee shops and fanatics, but true holdouts for the beloved Starbucks (SBUX) -) drink still have a few days to go until it's officially PSL season.
Typically, Starbucks brings its Pumpkin Spice Latte back on the last days of August, when many students are back in school and summer festivities are winding down. It then continues to release seasonal offerings throughout the rest of the year (Eggnog Latte, anyone?).
DON'T MISS: Starbucks Fans Get Early Sneak Peak At Fall 2023 Flavors
Starbucks will reportedly begin rolling out pumpkin spice drinks on August 24 and remove them around November 1. It doesn't look like the coffee chain will be offering its fall favorites earlier this year, though it has been experimenting in the kitchen with some new flavors. Food blogger and Instagrammer @Markie_Devo reported several weeks ago that it will roll out an Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Latte, and Baked Apple Croissants at participating stores.
But those aren't the only new drinks hitting stores during the second half of this year. Starbucks is officially rolling out even newer drinks before the start of the fall season for folks who aren't ready to say goodbye to those summertime flavors.
Starbucks will release three new summer drinks, available on its ever-popular app for a limited time. They are:
Chocolate Cream Cold Brew with Caramel Syrup in a Caramel Lined Cup: "Chocolate Cream Cold Brew with decadent caramel sauce in a caramel lined cup for a sweet summer escape. Customers can order this beverage in the Starbucks app here," Starbucks writes on its site. "Customization Tip: Can’t get enough caramel? To request lining the cup with caramel, in the Starbucks app, select your favorite drink, click 'customize' and click 'add line the cup.'"
Iced Chai Tea Latte with Matcha Cream Cold Foam: "This dreamy mash up is a classic Iced Chai Tea Latte topped with Matcha Cream Cold Foam for the best of both tea worlds. Customers can order this beverage in the Starbucks app here. Customization Tip: To add cold foam to a beverage, in the Starbucks app, select your favorite drink, click 'customize' and click 'add cold foam' under the Toppings category."
Blended Iced Black Tea Lemonade: Starbucks Iced Black Tea Lemonade is cooler than cool when blended with ice to create a refreshing treat that will bring all the summer vibes. Customers can order in the Starbucks app here. Customization Tip: To request a drink blended, in the Starbucks app, select your favorite drink, click 'customize' and click 'add blended' under the Preparation Method.
Starbucks has been emphasizing its customization features as it works to increase its agility in the kitchen.
In its Q3 2023 earnings call, Starbucks said it expects 40% of its stores to have its new Siren System by 2026. The Siren System is designed to make some time-consuming preparation processes quicker, helping to alleviate Barista workload, especially during busy shifts. Some of these improvements include "a custom ice dispenser, milk-dispensing system and new, faster blenders all located within reach of a barista," according to Starbucks.
These improvements are expected to cut the average order time from, say, a Frappucino down from 87 seconds and 16 steps to 36 seconds and 13 steps.
