In the four-week period ended Oct. 31, the company's comparable-store sales grew by 11% over the same period last year -- thanks, in part, to the pumpkin drink. (TheStreet.com)
> Starbucks' CEO says in a company press release: "The very successful debut of Pumpkin Spice Latte, which has been enthusiastically received by our customers, is creating momentum as we head into the holiday season."
> Here's a recipe for a mock Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
and i think i've purchased every one of them singlehandedly.
darn that thing is tasty! :-D
Posted by: Dru | November 05, 2004 at 02:21 PM
That's because the secret ingredient is crack.
Say, can you spare a starbucks card? I just need a hit. A quick hit, a couple syrup shots and a little nutmeg dust on top.
Don't even get me started on the eggnog lattes.
Posted by: | November 09, 2004 at 12:43 AM
My boyfriend,my fellow starbuckers and I all love the pumpkin!
Posted by: miss. barista | December 08, 2004 at 04:03 PM
I'm addicted, luckily they still will make it even though it's not on the menu.
Posted by: patti | February 08, 2005 at 11:45 AM
Pumpkin Spice Latte-- I just made one but I did it before I saw this. Here is my recipe:
I broke out my espresso machine & used
2 shots Espresso- I actually didn't have any so I used Starbucks Elephant Kinjia finely ground.
3 oz milk combined w/ 3oz 1/2 & 1/2 steamed & frothed-- or As much as u like
2 Tsp Pumpkin Spice- Grocery store Spice Isle.
1 tblsp white mocha Tollhouse chips to sweeten.
Then I just mixed it all up to taste.
Topped with whipped cream and a sprinke of pumpkin spice.
It was really good and really close just not as thick.
Posted by: Katurah Raiter | June 26, 2005 at 10:49 PM
I can't explain how happy I was when I walked into SB today, mourning summer, and there was my nirvana, back on the menu board. YAY! : )
Posted by: laurie | September 05, 2005 at 06:49 PM
My boyfriend and I love to go get a pumpkin spice frappuccino CREAM BASED!!!Its so good you can taste the pumpkin a lot better without the coffee!!!***
Posted by: Allee | September 25, 2005 at 02:48 PM
I am addicted to Pumpkin Spice...but have been denied of it the last two times (due to lack of spice)...going through withdrawls...
Posted by: Pamela | September 27, 2005 at 09:50 AM
Just wanted to share with you all.........you can order very similar coffee flavoring syrups at monin.com I make my own version of the Toffe nut latte & the Pumpkin spice latte with their tofee nut syrup or pumkin spice syrup and yes I use only the best espresso Starbucks!! The ones I make at home taste just like the real thing. Try it you will be hooked!!
Posted by: Addicted 2 Pumpkin latte | October 03, 2005 at 06:49 PM
Hi Pamela and All!
I thought that I would give you another option...
You can get your Pumpkin Spice Syrup, and all the other flavors too, at discounted prices at www.javaqueen.us
We will roast your coffee when you put your order in and send it right to you!
You could save a TON of money making your drinks at home... not to mention, we believe as do all of our customers, that we have a better roasting process than Starbucks... unless you really like that over-roasted bean, which some people do.
Although, I would venture to say that it is not the coffee but rather the specialty drinks that they are famous for.
Posted by: Donna-Lee | October 05, 2005 at 11:17 AM
Hahah I can't belive there's a starbucks gossip blog! That's great! I found it searching for info (recipe) on the pumpkin spice latte, i.e. my crack. :) So glad to find a recipe and links to places to buy syrups! :)
Posted by: Mia | October 06, 2005 at 07:50 PM
I agree with Donna-Lee, just searching for a recipe and ended up laughing out loud! Thanks!
Posted by: Lamb Chop | October 07, 2005 at 08:52 PM
Oops! I mean MIA!
Posted by: Lambchop | October 07, 2005 at 08:53 PM
Hi,My Mum Jude, just flew into LA from Australia, and she was only there half an hour when she rang me at 4.45am (Aus time) to say that she had just got off the plane and had drank a pumpkin latte. Just thing you need after a long haul flight for 12 hours plus. This is her introduction to American culture and it sounds alright. Now I can get to a starbucks in Perth, I think, but it sounds interesting enough to try whipping one up at home. Can anyone tell me what pumpkin spice is? would it be mainly say, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon maybe? And canned pumkin? mmm thats easy enough to make. Someone told me that pumpkins in the US are not what we call pumpkins in australia, we have Jap pumpkin, Queensland blue,kent, and butternut pumkin mainly. Anyway basic pumpkin should do. And would you use pure cream, or do you have the fake stuff. MMMmmm cannot wait to try some.
Posted by: Jasmine | October 07, 2005 at 09:50 PM
Well when I make pumpkin *bread* I put in cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves & allspice (allspice is just cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves together, I believe).
You can buy just canned pumpkin or canned "pumpkin pie filling" which is canned pumpkin + the spices. Usually they are in similar cans right next to eachother in the store.
So to duplicate the latte it's probably easiest to buy the pie filling, I'm guessing. :)
Posted by: Mia | October 08, 2005 at 12:32 AM
Just a correction. Allspice actually is NOT a combination of spices. It is its own spice. It comes from "evergreen pimiento tree, native to the West Indies and South America, though Jamaica provides most of the world's supply (allspice is also known as Jamaica pepper)". <--from Food Network.com. A lot of people think it's a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves because that's what it tastes like.
Posted by: Emily | October 08, 2005 at 07:13 PM
I'm now officially a 'punkn,-latte'-a-holic! How mean! They get you addicted to a seasonal flavor!
UGH! How will I ever stand withdrawl?
Posted by: KibbitzQueen | October 17, 2005 at 07:55 PM
Oh my Gwad! Did you read the nutrition info on those Lattes? I love them too but 500 calories a pop?
I'm sure a little experimentation at home is called for. I have the pumkpin as I am trying to perfect a pumpkin pancake recipe.
Do those syrups come in sugar-free?
Posted by: Kathy | October 19, 2005 at 04:15 PM
I *tried* to peak at the label on the syrup at my Starbucks and I might be wrong - but there was not actually any pumpkin in the list of ingrediants. I was shocked because it tastes to pumpkin-ie. I think I will try your recipe at home and I bet it will taste better - actually having pumpkin in it. But, i will also keep buying the Starbucks variety... too bad they are not sold in the little bottles that you can buy at the market.
Posted by: Todd Pumpkin | October 24, 2005 at 06:15 PM
There is no pumpkin in a pumpkin spice latte-- it's just flavoring. And for people who continue to bitch about calories and fat, it's mostly just the whipped cream that is the culprit, which is basically aerated vanilla lard. Get it non-fat and no-whip and move on.
Posted by: mgr | October 25, 2005 at 01:11 AM
MGR, Do you work for Starbucks. I do and its kinda funny to read these forums. Anyway, i thought it was funny that someone was trying to sneak a peak at the label of the Pumpkin Spice flavoring. If they asked one of the baristas what the ingredients were, I'm sure they would tell them. It's not like its a big secret. Good luck finding out the proportions of the ingredients however, if you are trying to duplicate the recipe. Also, if someone is so addicted to Starbucks and is complaining about not being able to afford it, you might as well just work for Starbucks and then you can get all the free/discounted coffee and tea you could ever want. The other thing that bothers me is when people make comments or ask questions without reading all of the previous posts. Often times your questions are answered above, and then you just look like an idiot when you ask the question again.
Posted by: Patrick | October 25, 2005 at 03:49 AM
Patrick, I do indeed. I love every minute of it. But alas, my heart dies just a little bit with each passing day as humanity becomes more and more stupid and lazy. I agree with you about the benefits of free coffee. In relation to my earlier post, I wish I could just customers people to go to a freakin gym. I go to one just so I can drink and eat whatever I want. I refuse to let customers draw me into whatever ridiculous diet program of the week that they think is going to replace exercise. Oh those heady days of the moronic Atkins craze.....
Posted by: MGR | October 25, 2005 at 04:51 PM
I too am an addict! I can't stop going to Starbuck's to get another tasty Pumpkin Spice Latte even though they are so darn expensive! I may have to get a job there to support my habit. Thanks to those of you who have posted your recipes, I will be trying them all!!! Coming soon are the Gingerbread Lattes...even more delicious! Someone stop me please!!! What's another hour at the gym??
Posted by: Michelle | November 01, 2005 at 05:31 PM
as a graphic artist, sometimes i'm up late, sometimes i'm up really early! sometimes i just need to be UP! i confess, i'm a Pumpkin latte addict and i'm converting as many of my fellow arteests as possible... can't wait to try some of the recipes. i am also a chai tea latte addict. i buy the mix by the carton!
Posted by: Jennifer | November 07, 2005 at 02:17 PM
None of the recipes posted here taste like the "Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte." I refuse to give up on creating a mock version since Starbucks is about 40 minutes from where I live. So far I have discovered the following:
2 heaping teaspoons of Eagle Brand,
a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg,
milk, and
2 shots of espresso.
It is still not perfected yet, but I'm getting there. Those of you addicted and trying to make it at home, please try this and let me know what you think.
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | November 10, 2005 at 12:32 PM
Lordy! I love me some P.Spice Latte's.
However, I think it's a StarBucks trap to take over the world!
Posted by: Capt.Gravy and Sweetpea | November 11, 2005 at 07:16 PM
STARBUCKS is EVIL. Do not go there. They use slimy, underhanded business tactics (such as buying out the leases of local coffee shops) in order to dominate the landscape of our small towns and cities. Just say no.
Posted by: Jay | November 23, 2005 at 10:14 AM
It's evil? Evil? This is the first I have heard of such a thing. I will throw out my machines, tumblers, cups, and the like, and stick strictly to tea from Chelsea's of Whittard from here on in.
Unless you think they're evil, too.
Posted by: gordond | November 23, 2005 at 11:07 AM
I found this recipe for gingerbread latte:
Gingerbread Syrup
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup fresh espresso
8 ounces milk, steamed (with a little foam)
Garnish
whipped cream
ground nutmeg
Recipe
1. Make the gingerbread syrup by combining water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Be sure the pan is not too small or the mixture could easily bubble over.
2. Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer syrup, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat when it's done and slap a lid on it.
3. Make a double shot of espresso (1/2 cup), using an espresso machine. Use the machine to steam 8 ounces of milk, or heat up the milk in themicrowave if your machine does not foam and steam milk.
4. Make your latte by first adding 1/2 cup espresso to a 16-ounce cup. Add 1/4 cup gingerbread syrup, followed by the steamed milk. Stir.
**Note: I read somewhere else from an alleged starbucks barrista that the order the ingredients should be mixed is as follows:
-Syrup
-Espresso
-Steamed milk
5. Top off the drink with a dollop of whipped cream, and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
Can't wait to try this one out!
Posted by: Svet | November 23, 2005 at 12:12 PM
I love the pumpkin spice latte and have loved it since I first tasted it last year. It gives you the feeling you get when you bite into a piece of pumpkin pie! It also gives you a warm feeling that lasts most of the day!
Posted by: Joe | November 24, 2005 at 11:48 AM
Did you all see that for the holiday season, Coffee Mate has come out w/ special flavors including PUMPKIN SPICE!??? That and also gingerbread, egg nog, and more. I can't get my hands on the pumpkin, but the gingerbread is great. It's by the milk (refrigerated), not by the coffee (it's the liquid, not the powder).
Posted by: Mia | November 25, 2005 at 03:18 PM
I'm an addict of the Pumpkin spice lattes for the past three years. I just had the opportunity to try the Coffee Mate special flavor of pumpkin spice and it is incredible.
Milk, coffee and a little bit of the Pumkin spice from coffee mate and I think you will stop going everyday to starbucks. The only problem is you would not be able to find the coffee mate pumpkin flavors in all the stores.
have a great holidays pumpkin spices addicts!!!!
Posted by: | November 28, 2005 at 02:06 PM
I also have been hooked on the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and like another poster, I bought the Coffeemate Pumpkin Spice creamer. It is not exact, but tastes good enough to curb my latte spending, mmmm!
Posted by: | December 01, 2005 at 07:01 AM
I also have been hooked on the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and like another poster, I bought the Coffeemate Pumpkin Spice creamer. It is not exact, but tastes good enough to curb my latte spending, mmmm!
Posted by: | December 01, 2005 at 07:03 AM
I'm so glad to see that there are so many fellow pumpkin spice latte addicts out there. I am drinking one right now and it's heavenly. The first time I tasted it I became addicted. I got my boyfriend addicted to them also when we were in Las Vegas back in september - I introduced him to the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino - then he tasted the latte and I could not have one without him either "sharing" or stealing it from me!
This stuff is great - I wish they would make it year round, but then again, maybe it wouldn't be so special!
To all my brothers and sisters in Pumpkin Spice Latte - Have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Wendy
Posted by: Wendy | December 02, 2005 at 07:37 AM
I work in a coffee shop (may i add our espresso is MUCH better than starbucks...but thats beside the fact.) and we also make a pumpkin spice latte. It's a lot easier to make than you'd think if you have a recipie, also saves a lot of money if you make it at home if you already have an espresso maker.
sm-1 shot espresso
3 pumps of Da Vinci Gourmet Pumpkin Pie Syrup
12 oz. steamed milk (whole or skim)
whipped cream Ioptional)
If you want a medium, just do 2 shots of espresso, 4 pumps of syrup and 16 oz of steamed milk. For a Large, it's 3 shots of espresso, 5 pumps of syrup and 24 oz of steamed milk.
Posted by: ana | December 02, 2005 at 08:10 PM
Hi Guys , gals, girls, and squirrels....
OK I totally agree Starbucks is so evil- and i am so addicted to their darn coffeee anyway- in fact I traded a $30 hand beaded barrette I created for one - get this- regualr cup of joe! I was a hippy livin outta a van w/ no $ and they almost didn't even give me th eplain cup O' Joe!
The sad truth is- that small baristas need to work harder at making their coffee taste better. UNFORTUNATELY theri coffeee alwasy is watered down and plain comparitively- what do you do- you want the taste ...without the waste....someone needs to come up with a new coffee venture and really make it accessable and owned by small buisnesses yet shared by community- serve organic - have people buy shares and BREW SUPER COFFEE!
Whad'ya think?
Posted by: Jenny Jenkins Rollllll | December 06, 2005 at 09:06 AM
you can buy the syrup on e-bay....if your addicted you will not find the 25$ shipping charge.
also,i just had my last sip of the addicting yet wondferful pumpkin spice latte...i realized that its really overpriced(1800 /year) and that i can easily try to create one myself...ill let you addicts out there know if i create anything worth trying....
Posted by: | December 06, 2005 at 10:12 AM
The pumpkin spice was yummy, but better without the whipped cream
Posted by: Patty | December 06, 2005 at 02:11 PM
how many milligrams are in a grande, pumpkin spice latte, from Starkbucks?
Thank you.
JK
Posted by: JK | December 08, 2005 at 04:46 PM
miligrams of what? milk, syrup, total volume of the drink? and wouldn't it be measured in a liquid measurement ie) mililitres or ounces?
Posted by: teya | December 09, 2005 at 12:22 AM
Love the pumpkin spice latte (non-fat, light whip), that's all I've been ordering since the first of October. If you haven't tried the pumpkin cream cheese muffins I reccomend that you do. While at work this a.m. I was craving my PS latte and PC muffin; however before making the 35 minute round-trip, I called SB to make sure they had my favorite muffin available -- they only had two and they were sure to have one waiting for me at the drive-thru (I would have requested they pull one from the freezer if they didn't). Just what I needed to get my brain/mind functioning.
Posted by: Bo | December 12, 2005 at 10:15 AM
I've been making my own pumpkin spice lattes for over a year and my husband says they're as good as SB. I think SB is a tiny bit better because of the syrup, but this saves big time on the bucks. Mine are also a lot less fattening. Here is my recipe:
8 oz 2% milk
2 oz expresso
1 oz Torani pumpkin spice syrup
I use an Italian stovetop espresso maker, very easy.
Nuke the milk in a glass measuring cup 2 minutes, pour into a tall container (I use an SB metal coffee commuter cup $20.00), froth with a hand held mini whipper, add syrup, then coffee. Voila.
You don't need an expensive espresso maker,this is faster and less cleanup. I use the SB 2oz shot glass. The stovetop espresso maker and whipper can be purchased at Sur La Table or most kitchen shops.
I will try the Da Vinci Gourmet Pumpkin Pie Syrup someone mentioned above. I usually get Torani online at Espresso Parts.com (don't get sugar free, it's awful).
Posted by: Laurie | January 10, 2006 at 10:49 AM
How fattening are SB's syrups? I just bought 2 big bottles(Gingerbread and Cinnamon Dolce)from my local Starbucks. They don't have any fat but they do have sugar. I drink sugar free cokes and try to never drink sugared drinks, but they don't carry sugar free syrup. Now, I'm afraid I'm going to get fat drinking my morning coffee!!
Posted by: jules | January 25, 2006 at 10:21 AM
"aerated vanilla lard"
awesome.
Posted by: CuteBarista! | January 25, 2006 at 03:46 PM
Hey everyone, I've been dying to get my hands on a bottle of the cinnamon dolce syrup...do most Starbucks sell the big bottles or do I have to try to find a vindictive Starbucks employee on ebay to sell me one? ;-)
Posted by: bloatedbetty | February 05, 2006 at 09:21 PM
my understanding is that the cdl syrup is for sale... the only one's that aren't for sale are punkin spice, white mocha, and vanilla if the store is low on vanilla bottles.
and for fellow baristas, how many bottles of ps syrup do you guys have stocked up? we seriously have 13 bottles still, and we're still selling the crap out of the psl's
Posted by: xcat | February 06, 2006 at 01:47 AM
CDL isn't for sale it is a LTO and proprietary.
Posted by: | February 06, 2006 at 02:36 PM
Damnit! I have tried to buy the bottle of Cinnamon Dolce latte syrup at three different starbucks in two states and I almost succeed until the person ringing me up says that the bar code doesn't register. ARRRGGHHH!!!! I guess that's a good way to get you to buy their product! I have been buying the vanilla syrup (big bottles) without a problem. :-(
Posted by: vegasgreys | February 16, 2006 at 12:32 PM
heh really interesting reading this thread (by accident) as half of the syrups you are talking about we don't have over here in the UK!(i too am a "partner") Nice to know some things are the same though- like lazy moron customers. "just a coffee please" where do you think you are?! sigh.
Posted by: jenny | March 25, 2006 at 02:54 PM