Since it’s finally fall, seasonal drinks are finally out, which means pumpkin is back! Almost every coffee shop or food establishment does their own twist on a coffee or drink to make it more festive. The only question is, where should I go to get the best experience possible? The iced pumpkin spice latte is a classic, and Starbucks and Dunkin are two of the most visited establishments. So, I decided to see who has the best pumpkin spice latte: Starbucks or Dunkin’?

First, I went to Dunkin’. I ordered a medium Iced Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte ($4.78). The drink was very aesthetically pleasing, with bits of cinnamon sprinkled on top, and I could see light swirls of the creamer. After the first sip, I could immediately taste the notes of pumpkin and cinnamon, but it was not overpowering. The coffee is still slightly bitter, and it balances out perfectly with the sweetness of the pumpkin. The only downside is there was a bit too much ice for my liking, and I would have liked there to be more product. While it may be slightly too sweet for some, I thought it was a perfect balance. 

I then went to Starbucks. I ordered a grande Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte ($6.25). It was slightly more expensive, and I also noticed that it was smaller than the drink from Dunkin’, even though I ordered the medium size from both places. It was less aesthetically pleasing, with no special toppings. This was slightly disappointing because it looked like a regular iced latte rather than a seasonal drink. As I took my first sip, I noticed it tasted less sweet and much more bitter. I could still enjoy the creaminess of the pumpkin; the flavor was simpler, which I did enjoy. It seems like this latte had a lot more coffee in it, which I did not love. I did appreciate that it had the perfect amount of ice. Overall I enjoyed this drink, as it woke me up–but I prefer something more seasonal. 

Overall, I found the Dunkin pumpkin latte more satisfying, delicious and more worth my money. It was slightly sweeter and overall tasted more festive while still having hints of coffee and bitterness to balance it out. I would recommend the Starbucks latte if you prefer a not-so-sweet flavor but still want the pumpkin notes in your coffee. However, if you enjoy a festive treat that tastes like fall, I would definitely recommend the Dunkin’ latte first.