The new Pumpkin Spice Latte helps Starbucks' bottom line

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

Comments

[Kelly]

Hello. I rec'd a Cuisinart Cappucino machine for Christmas (pretty darn nice). However, I cannot get the hang of making a latte to save my life. I just went to Starbucks this morning and was inquisitive of their process. They were kind enough to tell me that they use water that is filtered 3X, heat the milk to 160 degrees too. I guess my question is...am I either grinding my espresso beans too fine and am I using to much espresso in my latte? I though a latte was 1/2 espresso and 1/2 milk? If anyone knows the answer to this, I'd appreciate it...as my boyfriend is wondering why I'm going back to Starbucks to get my lattes when he just bought me the cap machine for Christmas:)

[jabanga]

1/2 espresso 1/2 milk would be too strong for most people. a traditional italian cappuccino would be about 2 oz. espresso, 2 oz. steamed milk, and 2 oz. foam. a starbucks tall cappuccino would be 1 oz. espresso, and about 5 1/2 oz. steamed milk and 5 1/2 oz. foam. that would be too weak for me so i would get a double tall or 2 oz of espresso. the length of your shot time would dramatically effect the flavor of your drink and grinding it too fine could cause too long of a drip time and extremely bitter espresso. you should most likely be at about 20 seconds but it depends on the specifications of the machine. didn't the machine come with any recipes?

[Legendary_or_bust]

I have been under the impression that a traditional (i.e. by the book (aka BRM) SBUX cappuccino is espresso that has "velvety" foam poured onto it. In other words, there is NO milk and Foam separation. You just steam the milk to make ALL foam that is not too thick and not milky either. Then you just grab that pitcher, maybe give a few knocks on the bar with it to break up any existing bigger bubbles, swirl the pitcher a few times to estimate the quality of the foam, and just dump it onto espresso that had just been extracted. That's it. There is no milk and foam separation, again. it is all microbubbles (i.e. velvety foam).

[jabanga]

i don't have access to a current beverage resource manual at this point in time so i don't know exactly what it says these days. the version that we used to use clearly indicated a ratio of steamed milk to foam at about 50/50 once poured. while i know the size of the bubbles is a key compnonent of the quality of the drink we also weighed them and without steamed milk in there the wieghts would be way too light no matter how rich your foam.

this is what i got from starbucks.com today:

"Rich, full-bodied Starbucks® espresso in a small amount of steamed milk, with a deep layer of foam. With less milk than a latte, the classic and complex cappuccino offers a stronger espresso flavor and luxurious texture."

[Kelly]

I think I figured it out...latte is 1 1/2 oz espresso and 4 oz steamed milk...yes, this was from the machine's recipe book...but I must say, I don't think it will ever taste like the full bodied lattes that I get a Starbucks.

[SBUX29]

does anyone know if you can buy the chai syrup they use in the store from starbucks?

[Erin]

When I became addicted to Chai a few years ago I asked a barista at Starbucks how they made it. She told me they just used the Tazo Chai concentrate. I used to buy the box at starbucks, now I buy it at Target. I prefer the Tazo organic chai concentrate because it tastes like it has more spice to me.
The other chai I've found that's really good is ordering Indian Spice loose tea from Harney and Sons. I was in a mom and pop coffee shop once that used that and it was very good. A very different taste from the starbucks chai. For me it was equally addictive. Just depended on what I was in the mood for. Good with lots of honey!!!

[hmmmph]

I am pregnant with my 3rd kid and guess what the flavor is that I'm addicted to? Damn Starbucks for creating such a delicious drink! I actually had to bribe my hubby with 1000 lindens from second life to go on a SB run for me...my cravings have been wicked bad for Pumpkin Spice Latte...i will try all the recipes above if it will help me to save on the cost of it...btw...my hubby is now addicted to the stuff too!

[beautifulbarista]

If your calorie concious and still want the pumpkin spice latte, you can try subsituting part of the syrup with the sugar free cinnamon dolce..
like a..
tall 1 1/2 pump sugar free cinnamon dolce non fat 1 1/2 pump pumpkin spice latte!
I think it taste better than the "normal" way!

[Mel]

the regular syrups have 100 calories per serving, but not sure if there is sugar free pumpkin. Most the sugar free versions of torani syrups have NO calories.

[Andrew]

Ok...100% best and closest tasting pumpkin spice recipe is as follows:

*For me, since I don't own an espresso machine, I make faux espresso in my coffee machine. (I know a lot of coffee snobs are already turned off, but the end result is superb) I make 4 oz. of very strong coffee and add 4 oz of skim milk...obviously use 2% or whole for a creamier, less healthy taste.
*Buy a 15 oz can of pumpkin pie filling and mix with spices according to the directions on back.
*Mix 4 heaping tsp of pumpkin filling into your coffee/milk mixture.

The pumpkin pie filling dissolves beautifully, leaving a creamier texture. This tastes like authentic ps latte that SB has. Give it a try. I've attempted many other concoctions to no avail. The taste is completely similar to SB PS lattes.

[Joe]

This is what I tried. I have a Mr.Coffee espresso machine that I've been using to make my own lattes with every morning for about a year now. They're not as good as SB but have probably saved me close to $1,000 by now. I ordered a bottle of Torani PS syrup to make my PS lattes at home since they're my 2nd fav, 1st is raspberry. I grabbed a SB PS latte and did a side by side comparison with my homemade brew. Boy, what a difference; mine tasted like hot coffee with pumpkin flavor and the SB was sweeter and just plain yummier. Now I can't decide if I should invest in a better espresso machine or see if I can find a SB barista to bribe.

Did Starbucks quit selling the wonderful crack brownie? as I affectionatley call it.... the one with all the expresso chocolate chunks thanks.

[Jana]

Okay Joe (Oct. '08), like everyone else on this page, I've pined for the psl recipe for 4 years now. I kept thinking there must be real pumpkin in it because of the color and creamy texture. So, I'm going to try your recipe and see how it tastes. My kids LOVE the cream based Frappuccinos too and we all get really sad when they finally exit the menu. I start warning them in January that it could be any time. They will be so happy too if your recipe is a good substitute. Doesn't have to be exact, just pretty close. Thanks for sharing. P.S. As much as I hate to see it go off the menu, I don't think it would be as special and exciting if it were on the menu year-round.

[rrk]

i lovee the pumpkin spice frappaccino and latte. i want to make it for thanksgiving, but i dont want that much coffee in it. how do i do that?

[Brianne]

Ladies and gentlemen, I have discovered the Starbucks Pumkin Spice Latte secret... or at least, a recipe that will save me hundreds of dollars and not require me to sacrifice on my demand for deliciousness. Listen very closely: Target (and perhaps other stores as well) is carrying a line of Market Pantry flavored Holiday Milks, right next to their annual branded eggnog. These new flavors include Chocolate Mint, Candy Cane, and yes, PUMPKIN SPICE. Now, the brilliance in this is that, due to it's thick, creamy, sweet, eggnog-like consistency, it makes the BEST coffee flavoring! I pair a good amount of it with some strongly brewed coffee (espresso would certainly be even better) and add in some of the multiply aforementioned Pumpkin Spice flavored syrup (the one I'm using right now is from Monin). The flavored milk gives a great pumpkin and creamy, sweet flavor while the syrup adds the extra spiciness and some additional sweetness. Try this. No, really: if you're an addict, as I am, this could be your ultimate solution!

[cris ann]

me and my mom went to star bucks to get some hot coco but instead we got the pumpkin spice and.....oohh my gosh it was sooooo good i feel in love that mornin i gave some to my cousin and he also loved it.

[Ari]

When they brought Pumpkin Spice back, my holiday season was set. I bought a Pumpkin Spice frap first, then the Latte, then finally I got the barista to make me a Chai... I found my new favorite drink. I buy them as often I can get to the closest Starbucks. If I knew how to make a Pumpkin Spice Chai at home, I would. I am in love~!

[Julie T]

If you've not tried it, the pumpkin chai tea lattes at SB's are out of this world. Now I'm in pursuit of the syrup too!!

[Justin]

My gf is absolutely addicted to these things! I like them too but she has to have one pretty much everyday during the holiday season. She never seems to get tired of them.

[katie]

I love the pumpkin spice latte! I also sometimes make this recipe for a similar drink at home: http://www.ehow.com/how_5388491_make-spice-cafe-au-lait.html

[paper cups]

Ive heard these are nice, popular in fact, but I didnt realise it amounted to an 11% growth in sales? one month? are you sure?

[Jordan 1]

I like the style of your article! I was shocked that you think it!

[Mr. Smith]

There is nothing that signals fall like the Pumpkin Spice Latte. It is pretty much on par with the leaves changing color in the Northeast(US).

[Jhonathan]

I am really happy that the seasonal pumpkin spice latte is back in Starbucks. You can smell the Holidays in the air.

[Tonda]

I love Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte Breve...I have one everyday....I wish it wasn't a seasonal drink...It's a great seller so please have it all year....

[SpD]

Ok, my sister and I love the Pumpkin Spice Frappaccino, i like w/o the coffee, and she likes it with. I've found the recipe for one w/ coffee, but I really want to find one w/o coffee, if anyone knows one plz let me kno!!!!

[jessica]

Go to ebay and buy starbucks pumpkin spice syrup it runs about 60- 150 for 63 fl oz some come with pump!!!!

[erin]

We just posted @ PS lattes... They sure are addicting!! But who doesn't want to warm up w/ one in the am ( or PM! for that matter!) I tried to make a few syrups.... www.2urbanmoms.com
Thanks!

[Marta]

Reading those comments is heart breaking as England doesn't sale pumpkin spice latte's... :(

[Lonna Riesner]

I can't wait for saturday to get my pumpkin coffee :)

[Claudia]

I was so sick my first trimester, Coke was the only thing that would seltte my stomach. I limit myself to one a day though and when I have coffee, I try to have decaf but I'm not super strict with myself. I'll have a cup now and then :)