Do you smell change in the air?
No, we’re not talking about the humid waft of rain following last night’s monsoon. This scent is a little squashier because Starbucks’ fall menu returned today — so get ready for an influx of flannel clad #fallgirlies posting about their PSLs to Instagram and TikTok.
It does seem a little early for all things pumpkin, apple and pecan, especially considering summer storms are expected to continue and temperatures won’t dip below 98 degrees this week (but they’ll top 105).
It wasn’t just us and the hot-take-taking bloggers who thought that. Axios today illustrated that while the corporate coffee giant traditionally waited until September to release their fall menu, Starbucks has been pushing the date earlier and earlier over the last decade. The earliest spice drop ever was last year, when the Seattle brand began serving pumpkin lattes on Aug. 22.
Do a few extra days make all the difference, especially in a desert city like Maricopa? We stopped by the stand-alone Starbies at John Wayne Parkway and Smith-Enke Road to get a tall (small) pumpkin spice latte (for nearly $7!) and chat with others ordering from the fall menu.
Sarah Daniels, Tortosa
This homeschooled teen stopped at Starbucks for Wi-Fi and to get a treat with her mom and sister.
What did you order today? The pumpkin cream cold brew. It doesn’t really taste like pumpkin, but I was happy because it’s coffee. I usually order the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso.
Do you feel like this marks the first day of fall in Maricopa? To me it doesn’t feel like fall. The colors, the trees, the heat. I think October is when it starts to feel like fall because it starts cooling off.
Do you plan to try other seasonal items, including the new Pecan Oatmilk Cortado? Maybe if I come back.
What’s your favorite fall tradition in Maricopa? I like to walk around and take pictures. It feels like you can finally get outside and the sun’s not going to kill you.
Theresa Macias, Province
Originally from San Diego, Macias has lived in Maricopa for a year and stopped at Starbucks to do some journaling.
Do you feel like this marks the first day of fall in Maricopa? Definitely, I’m always looking to gravitate to those things that put you in a good, positive mental experience. This is one of them.
Do you think PSL season starts too early? I don’t think so … I think it reminds you that this new season is about to come and it’s a great time for transition and change.
Do you plan to try other seasonal items, including the new Pecan Oatmilk Cortado? I probably would but I’m conscious of the contents, like the sugar.
What’s your favorite fall tradition in Maricopa? I’m still new here but, if anything, it’s baking. I like to bake scones, bread and other things that kind of brings that [fall] atmosphere and I can give some of those to my neighbors.
Does Starbucks really have the best PSL in the game? I haven’t really tried it anywhere else.
Would you be more likely to buy from a local coffee shop if there was one on the Main Strip? Maybe, I’ve always been one to [support] small business owners because I was among one myself.
Are you willing to pay more for PSL than year-round flavors? I do when it’s something I truly want … and that’s pleasing. We do pay a little more for that because it feels special and it feels like I’m giving myself a little treat.
Are you cutting back on seasonal spending this year? In some ways. It’s funny, because you would think that’s the mindset for retirees living on a fixed income, but I feel that more than ever, we want those things that are going to bring us joy, peace and inspiration. I’ll still buy things but maybe I’ll cut back on how much I purchase.
Matison McMillan, Gilbert
McMillan stopped for a Starbucks pit stop with a friend on their way to San Diego.
Do you feel like this marks the first day of fall? Yeah, whenever they put any coffee shop puts out pumpkin [menu items], it feels like fall because they do it every year and you have to kind of wait for it to come out.
Do you think PSL season starts too early? No, it’s perfect.
Do you plan to try other seasonal items, including the new Pecan Oatmilk Cortado? I’ve been wanting to try that, but I haven’t yet.
Does Starbucks really have the best PSL in the game? Yes … they started it. When I think of pumpkin spice, I think of Starbucks.
Would you be more likely to buy from a local coffee shop if there was one on the Main Strip? I would; I like to try different places.
Are you willing to pay more for PSL than year-round flavors? Yes, I like it more because it feels a little more extra.
Are you cutting back on seasonal spending this year? No.
Jasmine Manbeck, Town of Gilbert
Manbeck stopped for a Starbucks pit stop with a friend on their way to San Diego.
Do you feel like this marks the first day of fall? Maybe not the first day of fall, but definitely the season. It just makes everything fun and festive.
Do you think PSL season starts too early? No.
Do you plan to try other seasonal items, including the new Pecan Oatmilk Cortado? I’m not big into coffee, so maybe not the cortado.
Does Starbucks really have the best PSL in the game? Yeah, they have some of the best seasonal drinks.
Would you be more likely to buy from a local coffee shop if there was one on the Main Strip? I don’t know, maybe.
Are you willing to pay more for PSL than year-round flavors? Definitely. I think it feels more festive than what I would just get on an everyday basis.
