Happy birthday, PSL!
Here are 23 fun facts celebrating the surprising history, behind-the-scenes stories and important milestones of Pumpkin Spice Latte’s journey from secret beverage lab to seasonal sensation.
To remember the days before Pumpkin Spice Latte you have to go back — waaaay back — to the fall of 2003. These were the days of low-slung jeans and flip phones. “Friends” was still on TV and “Pirates of the Caribbean” was in movie theaters. It was a time when pumpkin spice was something you might only reach for when baking a pie.
On Oct. 10, 2003, Starbucks launched a test of its first-ever fall beverage in about 100 stores in Vancouver, B.C. and Washington, D.C. It was an instant hit, and soon Pumpkin Spice Latte (nicknamed PSL) would go on to become a cozy sidekick for every autumnal adventure from soccer games to corn mazes.
In honor of PSL’s 23rd birthday, here are 23 fun facts about our favorite fall icon. HBD PSL!
1. Origin story
The Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) was invented in April 2003 in the “Liquid Lab,” a secure research and development space on the 7th floor of Starbucks headquarters in Seattle.
2. Autumn inspiration
During research and development of PSL, the team sampled a forkful of pumpkin pie, followed by a sip of hot espresso to identify the flavors from the pie that best complemented the coffee.
3. A memorable moniker
PSL got its nickname from the original three-letter beverage code for Pumpkin Spice Latte written by baristas on cups.
4. PSL was almost FHL?
One of the original ideas for the name was Fall Harvest Latte.
5. PSL was first launched in only 100 stores
PSL was introduced as a test on October 10, 2003 in about 100 stores in Vancouver, B.C. and Washington, D.C., and went on to launch across the U.S. and Canada the following autumn.
6. An instant hit
Peter Dukes led the team developing the new beverage. “Within the first week of the market test, we knew we had a winner,” Dukes said. “I remember calling store managers on the phone to see how the new beverage was doing, and we could hear the excitement in their voices.”
7. First for fall
PSL was the third-ever seasonal beverage introduced by Starbucks, after Eggnog Latte and Peppermint Mocha, and is often available before the official first day of fall through the holiday season
8. Camera-ready
Instagram launched in October 2010, along with the first “P-S-Lfies.”
9. PSL Days
Residents of a very special small town prepare for the annual return of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte in the mockumentary “PSL Days” in 2011.
10. A ‘pumpkin emergency’
In 2012, when there were shortages of beverage ingredients after a rush early in the season, news outlets declared a “grande problem” and a “pumpkin emergency.”
11. The original PSL celebrity
In 2014, Pumpkin Spice Latte joined Twitter (now called X) with a dedicated account called @TheRealPSL. During peak pumpkin season, more than 3,000 tweets a day would include the #PSL hashtag.
12. Made with real (and adorable) pumpkins
Since 2015, PSL’s pumpkin sauce includes real puree made from small kobucha pumpkins grown in Walla Walla Valley.
13. The great pumpkin hatch
In 2017, a few months after the live stream of April the Giraffe’s baby went viral online, Starbucks hosted a PSL Pumpkin Hatch live streaming event on YouTube.
14. Fall’s favorite fan club
Starbucks created a private Facebook group in 2018 called the “Leaf Rakers Society,” for members who celebrate fall year-round.
15. Iced is hot
In 2019, Starbucks added Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.
16. What’s the definition of pumpkin spice?
In 2022, Merriam-Webster officially added pumpkin spice to the dictionary, defined as “a mixture of usually cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and often allspice that is commonly used in pumpkin pie.”
17. Popularity soars
Over its more than two decades, Starbucks has sold hundreds of millions of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and the beverage has become Starbucks most popular seasonal beverage of all time. PSL has inspired a variety of pumpkin spice products in the marketplace, including cereal, dish soap and scented candles.
18. Pumpkin spice and everything nice
The original PSL has inspired hundreds (if not thousands!) of pumpkin spice products in the marketplace, including cereal, dish soap and scented candles.
19. PSL as a lifestyle
In 2026, Starbucks celebrated PSL lovers everywhere with a new PSL Society collection of merchandise.
20. PSL at home
Customers can now cozy up at home with PSL flavors available where groceries are sold, including Pumpkin Spice Latte-inspired coffees, creamers and ready-to-drink beverages.
21. A new pick of the patch
Each year brings a new crop of PSL beverages to enjoy. New this year is Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso, Pumpkin Spice Chai and Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha.
22. More flavors for fall
PSL has also inspired new tastes for fall days, like this year’s Iced Chaider (a cozy twist on classic chai).
23. Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini, anyone?
Starbucks Reserve® Roasteries and locations offer their own twist on the beloved PSL with Starbucks Reserve® Pumpkin Spice Latte, Starbucks Reserve® Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini and Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Cold Brew. Cheers to PSL!
