Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of its pumpkin latte, Starbucks presents a new addition to its fall menu – a third pumpkin drink option. Beginning Thursday, guests will be treated to a pumpkin cream chai iced latte, joining the already introduced lineup of pumpkin drinks, including the pumpkin cream cold brew.
This seasonal menu update is due to the changing preferences of customers increasingly favoring cold drinks, even in cooler weather. This trend is largely fueled by younger consumers, such as members of Generation Z. Last year, cold beverages accounted for more than three-quarters of all beverage sales at Starbucks.
Starbucks Reserve locations that offer alcohol will feature unique pumpkin-spiced drinks. Reserve’s menu for fall will include a pumpkin-spiced espresso martini and a pumpkin-spiced cold latte aged in a whiskey barrel.
Although the pumpkin cream iced latte officially appears on the menu for the first time, customers have long enjoyed it by adding cold pumpkin cream foam to an iced latte. The drink, made popular by TikTok and the so-called “secret menu,” is now officially introduced.
Tracking changes in customer preferences is a simple and effective way for the company to introduce “new” drinks that will find their fans. Previously, Starbucks has already successfully used this strategy.
In addition to the pumpkin latte, Starbucks will introduce a new drink – an apple crisp espresso cold brew with oat milk. This fall version of cold espresso on oat milk with brown sugar promises to be one of the popular choices.
