Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte has made a triumphant and early return

Seattle, Washington – The day many have been waiting all year for has finally arrived.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte has made its triumphant return, one month before fall begins.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte has made its triumphant return, one month before fall begins.  © Collage: 123rf / fahrwasser & IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Tuesday marked the return of Starbucks' beloved drink – the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

There are few times people are willing to wait in excessively long lines just to get a coffee, but pumpkin spice season seems to be the exception.

Lovers of the fall staple can now head to any Starbucks location to cash in on the drink, with the option to have it served over ice or piping hot.

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While avid fans of the coffee chain are thrilled about the return of what many call the PSL, the timing is a bit odd.

Given the fact it's very much a fall beverage, the idea of slurping down something meant for the time of year when the temperature drops and the leaves change almost feels wrong.

Then again, when has Starbucks paid any mind to the actual seasons when it comes to delivering drinks their customer base is utterly obsessed with?

Despite the fact that most places in the US are in the height of scorching summer temperatures, PSL advocates couldn't care less that this seasonal drink is now available nearly a month before fall officially begins. And the internet is definitely here for it.

If there's one thing humans have learned over the ages, it's that you can't fight desire – even when it doesn't make sense.

The internet is welcoming the PSL's early arrival with open arms

Pushing fall in the heat of summer

The PSL will join other fall flavors on Starbucks' menu this year.
The PSL will join other fall flavors on Starbucks' menu this year.  © 123RF/marika_san

For those wondering whether Starbucks has been gradually pushing up the date for the PSL's return over the years, the answer is undoubtedly yes.

One Twitter user, Jack Russell, has been tracking and predicting the release date for fall beverages at coffee establishments like Starbucks and Dunkin' since 2019. To prove the regression of release dates, he composed a graph of predictions based on past dates and trends.

In 2020, he guessed the release date for PSLs would be August 25 – which was right on the money.

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Six days prior to Starbucks' official PSL drop this year, he predicted the release date would, in fact, be Tuesday, August 24.

Once again, he was spot on.

In addition to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Starbucks is serving up new fall flavors, like the Apple Crisp Macchiato.

The final date of the season to purchase fall beverages at Starbucks has yet to be announced.

Perhaps it will fall when the last pumps of pumpkin have been doled out.

Cover photo: Collage: 123rf / fahrwasser & IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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