La Colombe beats Starbucks with early pumpkin spice latte launch

In the United States, La Colombe has announced the return of its Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte starting August 4, 2026, ahead of Starbucks' fall menu launch on August 25. Research shows that about 70 percent of American consumers look forward to pumpkin spice season. La Colombe's drink is made with real pumpkin puree and warming spices, offering a less sugary alternative to traditional options. Starbucks will also introduce new pumpkin-inspired beverages and seasonal food items, continuing the cultural significance of pumpkin spice in the retail landscape.

La Colombe beats Starbucks with early pumpkin spice latte launch
1 source
business Published Aug 7, 2026

Topic overview

In brief

  • La Colombe launched its Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte on August 4, 2026, ahead of Starbucks.
  • Starbucks will release its fall menu on August 25, 2026, featuring new pumpkin-inspired drinks.
  • The early launch by La Colombe highlights the competitive nature of the pumpkin spice market.

Summary

In the United States, the coffee chain La Colombe has made headlines by launching its Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte on August 4, 2026, significantly ahead of Starbucks' traditional fall menu release. This early introduction comes as part of a broader trend among retailers to capitalize on the growing consumer enthusiasm for pumpkin spice flavors, with research indicating that approximately 70 percent of American consumers eagerly anticipate the return of this seasonal favorite. La Colombe's version of the drink is crafted using real pumpkin puree and a blend of warming spices, offering a smoother and less sugary alternative to the classic pumpkin spice latte.

Starbucks, known for its iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte, is set to unveil its fall menu on August 25, 2026, which will include not only the beloved PSL but also several new pumpkin-inspired beverages such as the Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso and Pumpkin Spice Chai. The coffee giant is also reviving its popular pecan-flavored drinks and introducing new seasonal food items, including a Chicken Bacon Protein Pocket and a Hedgehog Cake Pop. This year’s menu reflects Starbucks' ongoing commitment to innovation while maintaining its strong connection to the pumpkin spice tradition.

Key entities

How Mestios works We aggregate coverage, extract key information, and use AI to summarize and compare perspectives. Learn more

Updated Aug 7, 2026

AI-generated summary. Please verify important information from original sources.