Which coffee chain introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003?

The coffee chain that introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003 was Starbucks.

Starbucks began developing the drink in January 2003, inspired by the success of seasonal beverages such as peppermint mocha and eggnog latte. Its product team tested several possible autumn drinks, including chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, and pumpkin concepts. The pumpkin version initially received mixed feedback but ultimately won approval.

The final recipe combined espresso and steamed milk with pumpkin-pie spices, traditionally including cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Starbucks tested the drink at selected locations in Vancouver and Washington, D.C., in late 2003, where sales exceeded expectations. It rolled out across U.S. Starbucks stores in 2004.

Dunkin’ and McDonald’s later introduced competing pumpkin-season beverages, which can cause confusion about the original chain. Another common misconception is that the drink always contained real pumpkin: Starbucks added pumpkin purée to the recipe in 2015 after previously using pumpkin-flavored syrup without actual pumpkin.