I hate to discover it to you , but your favorite did n’t pull ahead …

To welcome fall with open arms, I only tried the hot versions of these drinks and did so without any modifications. Here’s the professional rubric I made up to judge the drinks:

OK, without further ado, here is my ranking of pumpkin spice lattes from worst (unfulfilling, kinda sad, meh) to best (amazing, spectacular, I feel like I’m inGilmore Girls):

5. KRISPY KREME — Made with 2% milk by default, Krispy Kreme’s PSL uses a limited-releasePumpkin Spice coffee blendthat features notes of pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon. This drink comes iced or hot and is supposed to be topped with whipped cream and pumpkin spice seasoning.

Alright, so…I don’t mean to throw a fit, but the menu photo and the description said that the drink would come with whipped cream and topping, so imagine my surprise when I popped the top off and sawthis:

OVERALL SCORE: 2/5 🎃

I would not exhibit around a small Vermont town admiring the fall foliage with this drink in hand , but Iwouldtake a donut .

4. DUTCH BROS — Dutch Bros offers a pumpkin pie latte that uses sugar-free pumpkin pie sauce. Made with 2% milk and Dutch Bros' bold and nutty Private Reserve Blend, this drink is topped with whipped cream and comes iced or hot.

I have to say…I was rooting for Dutch Bros, but alas, my taste buds were not. The biggest qualm I had with Dutch Bros' Pumpkin Pie Latte was that I could barely taste the pumpkin. Whereas the Krispy Kreme PSL felt like I was front and center at a pumpkin party, the pumpkin pie flavor in this Dutch Bros drink was simply nowhere to be found. But also, look at it — sad! I was glad it came with whipped cream, the lack of sprinkles or anything to add color to the appearance of the drink was not giving me the fall vibes I anticipated, especially since the other fall drinks came with some sort of festive topping.

OVERALL SCORE: 3/5 🎃

I would choose this as my drunkenness of selection if I were trying to pull an all - nighter and needed something to keep me company , but I would not drink this while disport through Vermont .

One thing about the Starbucks PSL is that she’s gonna be orange. I’m unsure how many pumps of flavoring go into the other coffee shops' drinks, but the amount of pumps Starbucks uses in their latte build ensures that it’s almost always going to be sweet. I can appreciate that Starbucks doesn’t skimp on the flavor, and of course, you’re free to modify your drink, but the PSL as-is is just a little too sweet for my taste. However, the pumpkin sauce has a nicer, almost delicate taste compared to Krispy Kreme, and I think the flavor blends really well with the espresso.

OVERALL SCORE: 3.8/5 🎃

If I had enough virtuoso to save a free PSL , then I ’d by all odds carry this drink around with me to keep me lovesome from the crisp Vermont fall aviation nipping at my skin . But I would not pay off $ 6.45 for a small if there were other , more low-cost options around .

2. DUNKIN' — This may be a shock to some (East Coasters), but this was the first time I had coffee from Dunkin'! I know “America runs on Dunkin',” but I was nervous. However, the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte from Dunkin' really won in terms of being ~different~. Made with a default of 2% milk, this latte includes pumpkin sauce, vanilla syrup, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, AND cinnamon sugar. And the best part? It was $4.29.

Considering its ranking on the list, you already know that I loved it. You should also know that I was fairly surprised that I loved it since the receipt for the drink said everything that was in the recipe, and I was concerned that the latte came with vanilla syrup and caramel drizzle already. I was expecting it to be super sweet and heavy like the Krispy Kreme PSL, but no! It was actually a perfect blend of flavors!

OVERALL SCORE: 4/5 🎃

befittingly enough , I would for certain go to one of the many Dunkin ' locations that plausibly shack in Vermont and take a PSL with me on a day of the month to take fall exposure . Then I would plausibly go to Canada and get a loving cup of Tim Horton ’s .

1. PEET’S — The Pumpkin Patrol winner! This stunning pumpkin latte from Peet’s uses their Espresso Forte blend, which is a dark roast with bold and rich flavors. Made with pumpkin sauce and topped with baking spices, this latte was created beautifully and was also a winner for my stomach since its default milk is oat milk (thank god).

Peet, whoever you are, thank you. To the barista who made my drink, you have magic hands. I don’t know if I just drink shitty coffee on the daily, but this was one of the best lattes I’ve ever had. The milk was steamed to absolute perfection, the espresso was delightful and so robust, and the pumpkin flavor was light, slightly sweet, and earthy.

OVERALL SCORE: 5/5 🎃

If I had this potable in my hand in the center of a crisp October evening in a small , fall - beautify Vermont Ithiel Town , I would belike consider that to be my peak bod . This drink is festal yet sophisticated , and I envisage myself holding it as I clumsily break into say small townsfolk ’s misunderstood yet handsome pariah . Sparks are felt , conversation starts , and romance ensues .

Whew, even recalling the Pumpkin Patrol experience I feel jittery. I want everyone to know that no, I didn’t end up sleeping well, and yes, that was definitely a lot of sugar. Let’s just say I woke up the next day feeling bloated and hungover. Even so, I had so much fun, and it was the biggest pre-game for spooky season that I’ve ever had. Of course, everyone likes their coffee differently, so if you want to go do your own Pumpkin Patrol, feel free (but bring a lot of water and maybe don’t do it all in one day like I did)! That said, I do think that every PSL from these coffee chains has tons of appeal for different reasons.

A person who is taste-testing coffee is saying, "I'm basic AF"

The author is showing a side-by-side of how she looked at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day

The rubric for taste-testing PSLs include milk, pumpkin flavor, espresso, if anything sets the drink apart, and the likelihood of wanting to carry the drink with you while walking through a small Vermont town

The author is holding up her Krispy Kreme coffee

The Krispy Kreme coffee is being shown while the caption "naked!!"

The author is showing off her Dutch Bros coffee

The Dutch Bros coffee is shown without the lid on

The author has a Starbucks coffee

The Starbucks PSL is uncovered

The author is showing her Dunkin' Donuts coffee

The Dunkin' coffee is uncovered

The author is showing her Peet's coffee

The Peet's coffee is uncovered

All the coffees uncovered are in a collage together