San Diego’s Tastiest: Pumpkin Spice Lattes

The search for San Diego’s tastiest drinks and treats continues with finding the best pumpkin spice lattes SD coffee shops have to offer

Taylor DeGuzman / A&C Editor

It’s that special time of year again when the air is filled with seasonal scents of sugar, spice, and everything nice. The aromas of pumpkin spice define the true essence of fall. Pumpkin spice takes form in Bath and Body Works candles, hand soaps, body lotions, and car plug-ins to spread more holiday cheer. However, this very popular seasonal scent is also one of the most popular seasonal coffee flavors. Pumpkin Spice Lattes, also known as PSLs, are almost a fall rite of passage because of how much the drink is talked about once it finally hits coffee shop menus. 

Although sunny San Diego has yet to understand that fall weather is not supposed to be 80 degrees and above, individuals can still get their pumpkin spice latte fix by getting it as an iced drink instead. The following list attempts to find which iced PSL in San Diego is worth the hype. 

The Forum Coffee House 

4340 Genesee Ave UNIT 110, San Diego, CA 92110

This iced pumpkin spice latte doesn’t have that overly pumpkin spiced taste, where the drink tastes exactly how a scented candle or soap smells. Part of their new seasonal drink line-up, the pumpkin spice latte has house-made pumpkin sauce made with real pumpkin. Because of this, the drink successfully avoids artificial pumpkin spice flavoring and rather, has a different taste than normal pumpkin spice lattes that balances both the necessary sugar and spice. The drink is $4.50 if ordered hot, $5 if iced, and $5.75 for oat milk, the recommended non-dairy milk option. 

Better Buzz 

1186 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109

The pumpkin to spice ratio is crucial to the perfect pumpkin spice latte; too much cinnamon can be overpowering and distract from the pumpkin flavors of the drink. Unfortunately, Better Buzz’s pumpkin spice latte did in fact have more spice than pumpkin, yet stayed away from artificial spice flavor that could make the drink unenjoyable. This PSL is still sweet and creamy, and the coffee strength isn’t overpowering at all. However make sure to ask for less spice if you want to maintain that perfect pumpkin to spice ratio. Better Buzz’s pumpkin spice latte is $5.50. 

Communal Coffee 

2335 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104

Communal Coffee’s iced pumpkin spice latte lacked both the pumpkin and spice flavor. Rather than any notes of cinnamon or nutmeg, the iced drink tasted more like whole milk than coffee and left an interesting aftertaste because of the amount of milk in the drink. If the “PSL” were labeled a regular latte, it would fit the flavor of the drink. For Communal Coffee fans, perhaps ask for non-dairy milk and more of their “homemade pumpkin puree” to fully embrace the seasonal drink. Communal Coffee’s PSL is $5.50 or $6.50 for any non-dairy milk substitution. 

Starbucks 

Most Starbucks stans eagerly wait for Starbucks’ PSLs to officially return to the menu. Starbucks knows how big of a deal it is with offering their pumpkin spice lattes at the end of August, nearly a month before fall begins. Although many customers hype up Starbucks’ PSLs, the iced latte had a more underwhelming pumpkin spice flavor than expected. While this latte had more pumpkin flavor than Communal Coffee’s PSL, it still falls short in sweetness and pumpkin flavor, while the spice is still there. A grande pumpkin spice latte is $4.95 or $5.25 with almond milk, but opt for oat milk instead to not distract from the pumpkin spice flavor.