I compared Pumpkin Spice Lattes across high street chains — there was one clear winner

Which Pumpkin Spice Latte is the best? (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths/Getty/ Metro) Autumn is officially knocking, and more importantly, it’s Pumpkin Spice Latte time. As soon as September hits, the high street transforms into a sea of spice-infused foam. The beloved drink, first created by Starbucks in Seattle, Washington, in 2003, has since developed a cult following worldwide. Today, it’s a non-negotiable fixture on seasonal menus across British coffee shops, with everyone from high-end bakeries to budget spots offering their own signature twist. However, not all are created equal — some hit the mark with perfectly balanced spices and rich espresso, while others taste like little more than warm, scented sugar. As a committed PSL girlie, I tested five Pumpkin Spice Lattes from popular UK high street chains, evaluating spice profile and pumpkin flavour, coffee strength, sweetness, texture, and price to find out which brand deserves to be your go-to seasonal pick-me-up. It is also worth noting that, unfortunately, McDonald’s, Caffè Nero, and Costa aren’t offering Pumpkin Spice Lattes this year, but instead have their own seasonal drinks such as Caffè Nero’s new Cinnamon Roll Latte. So with fewer varieties on offer, picking the right PSL is more important than ever. Pret – 1/5 The drink was very watery (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths) Pret’s Pumpkin Spice Latte was, sadly, the biggest disappointment. At £4.70 for a regular and £5.10 for a large, it isn’t the most expensive drink on the list, but I genuinely wouldn’t have guessed it was a pumpkin spice latte if I hadn’t ordered it myself. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. The pumpkin flavour was almost non-existent, with the drink tasting more like a standard coffee with added sweetness. The coffee itself wasn’t particularly strong either, and the latte was thin and watery, with no cream, minimal foam, and no pumpkin spice topping to make it feel like a special seasonal drink. It might save you a few pennies compared with some competitors, but it’s not worth the savings. Greggs- 2.5/5 The lack of foam and toppings was a letdown (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths) Good old budget bakery Greggs has gone all-in this year, offering a range of pumpkin spice drinks including iced versions (£3.35) and even an iced pumpkin spice matcha (£3.60). Its hot Pumpkin Spice Latte costs a reasonable £2.85 for a regular and £3.45 for a large — but does the lower price mean lower quality? Unfortunately, it doesn’t hit the mark. The pumpkin flavour was stronger than Pret’s version, but still not that noticeable, and the coffee had a pleasant bitterness that stopped it from becoming overly sweet. However, the drink was thinner than some of the others, with only a small layer of foam on top. While enjoyable, it wouldn’t be my first choice for a seasonal treat. Gail’s – 3/5 Gail’s was middling (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths) Gail’s delivered a much more noticeable pumpkin flavour, topped with shortbread pieces that added a nice crunch. It wasn’t as sweet as some of the other options, but still felt creamy and indulgent without becoming watery or bland. However, it struggled to stand out, and the shortbread topping became slightly problematic towards the end, making the drink feel a little lumpy. It’s also the most expensive option tested, costing an eye-watering £5.90. I enjoyed the drink, but it wasn’t my favourite, and it was too pricey (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths) Black Sheep Coffee – 4/5 Black Sheep Coffee, known for its trend-led drinks and cool reputation, impressed with its Pumpkin Spice Latte. The chain offers three sizes: small (£4.49), regular (£5.49) and large (£5.69), alongside iced versions: small (£4.89), regular (£5.09), large (£5.69), with different milk and coffee bean options. Now this is proper PSL toppings (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths) This drink had a strong coffee flavour without overpowering the pumpkin, creating a much better balance than some of the other options. The latte was sweet, thick and creamy, with a delicious aftertaste and a noticeable pumpkin flavour. It also comes topped with pumpkin sauce, which added an extra seasonal touch. However, it just missed out on that pumpkin flavour and espresso mix that the winning drink excelled in, and it was not as smooth, but it was very enjoyable and made a strong second place. Black Sheep Coffee offers warm and iced options with five different milks, three sizes, and three types of coffee, plus more syrups, so you can customise your PSL (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths) So who won? Drum roll, please…. Starbucks – 5/5 The crown goes to the original: Starbucks. Just the type of pick-me-up I needed at 8am (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths) While Black Sheep was very amiable, ultimately the crown went to Starbucks, costing only 1p more at £5.50 for a Tall (regular), and it delivered exactly what I wanted from a Pumpkin Spice Latte. It was creamy without being overwhelming, sweet without becoming sickly, and had the perfect balance of pumpkin, spice and espresso. The drink tasted authentic, with cinnamon notes throughout, topped with whipped cream and pumpkin spice topping. It’s easy to see why Starbucks’ version became the iconic autumn drink. The Pumpkin Spice Latte is available in Tall (£5.50), Grande (£6.05) and Venti (£6.60), with customers able to choose from signature espresso, blonde or decaf beans, alongside a range of dairy and dairy-free milks. The heated cream on top was a welcome bonus (Picture: Maicey Navarro Griffiths) The chain also offers variations including the Pumpkin Spice Caramel Macchiato, Pumpkin Spice Coffee Frappuccino and iced versions. Of course, £5.50 is still a lot for a coffee, especially in this economy, but as an occasional autumnal treat, it’s worth it. So if you’re only buying one PSL this autumn, Starbucks remains the one to beat. Do you enjoy Pumpkin Spice Lattes? Yes! They're really yummy Check No, it's not my taste Check Sometimes... it depends on the brandCheck Sign up to Metro's The Slice newsletter for your guide to what's on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways. Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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