Nothing screams Fall like a cozy cup of pumpkin iced coffee! The rich flavors and sweet aroma of pumpkin combined with the perfect cold drink is a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, Starbuck’s is not currently offering pumpkin iced coffee in all of their locations. But what’s a coffee lover to do? We decided to look into the facts and find out why Starbucks isn’t serving pumpkin iced coffee, what pumpkin iced coffee is, and what are some of the ways you can make a pumpkin iced coffee of your own.
What Is Pumpkin Iced Coffee?
Pumpkin iced coffee is a combination of real pumpkin and coffee, that has been frozen to create a cold and creamy drink. It typically includes things like pumpkin pure, heavy cream, sweeteners, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Some varieties of pumpkin iced coffee also add creamer, like half and half, or a non-dairy milks like almond or coconut milk.
Most coffee lovers opt for a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, but there isn’t currently a pumpkin iced coffee on the menu. Some Starbucks locations do offer a few pumpkin iced coffee drinks but it is not very widespread.
Why Is There No Pumpkin Iced Coffee At Starbucks?
It has been speculated that Starbucks pulled the plug on pumpkin iced coffee in 2014 due to some customers complaints of the taste being too weak and underwhelming.
An insider of the company revealed that there was a problem with the pumpkin iced coffee at Starbucks. According to the insider, the product had too many sweeteners in it, making it overly sweet.
The source also revealed that Starbucks experimented with the recipe of the pumpkin iced coffee but they were not able to come up with a recipe that customers liked. The company eventually decided to pull the product from the menu and focus on other seasonal drinks.
DIY Pumpkin Iced Coffee
Although Starbucks’ pumpkin iced coffee has been discontinued, you can still make your own version of pumpkin iced coffee at home. All you need is a few ingredients like pumpkin pure, heavy cream, sweeteners, spices, and a blender.
Start by adding the pumpkin puree, cream, and sweeteners to a blender. Blend on high for about a minute until it is fully combined. Add the spices of your choice and blend for another minute. Once everything is combined, pour the mixture into a glass and add ice. Stir the iced coffee to combine the ingredients and enjoy.
You can also add other ingredients like vanilla, almond, or coconut milk to the iced coffee. For those who prefer their iced coffee a little sweeter, you can add a teaspoon of honey or agave.
Where To Buy Pumpkin Iced Coffee
If you don’t want to make your own pumpkin iced coffee, there are a few places you can buy pumpkin iced coffee. In larger cities, you can find pumpkin iced coffee at local coffee shops and cafes. Some popular cafes like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Café Nero offer pumpkin-flavored iced coffee beverages.
If you don’t have any of these cafes near you, you can buy pumpkin flavored iced coffee in stores. Most grocery stores and health food stores carry brands that offer pumpkin-flavored iced coffees. Simply search your local grocery store or health food store to see what they have in stock.
Can You Use Pumpkin Spice Flavoring?
The short answer is yes! If you are looking for a more convenient way to make pumpkin iced coffee, you can opt for using a pumpkin spice flavoring. Pumpkin spice flavorings are widely available and easy to use. All you need to do is add a few drops to a hot or cold cup of coffee to get a pumpkin-flavored beverage.
The upside to using flavorings is that you can control how strong the flavor is, as well as how sweet. You can also add as much or as little flavoring as you want. Additionally, pumpkin spice flavorings come in a range of flavors. So if you want something a little different from the classic pumpkin iced coffee, you can opt for something like a chai-spiced or maple-flavored iced coffee.
Tips On Making The Best Pumpkin Iced Coffee
Making the perfect pumpkin iced coffee takes some practice, but with a few tips, you can be a pro in no time. Begin by freezing your pumpkin puree first, as this will make it easier to blend. Also, it is important to use high quality, fresh ingredients.
It is also a good idea to avoid adding too much cream or sugar. Too much cream will make the iced coffee rich and heavy, while too much sugar can make the drink too sweet. For a balance of flavors, it is best to go easy on the sweeteners and opt for natural sweeteners like honey or agave.
Lastly, you can use a hand blender or food processor to blend the ingredients together. This will ensure that all the ingredients are evenly mixed and that the iced coffee is smooth and creamy.
Are Pumpkins Used In Starbucks’ Other Products?
Although pumpkin iced coffee is not currently offered at Starbucks, the company does incorporate pumpkins in some of its other products. For instance, the popular Pumpkin Spice Latte is made with real pumpkin and pumpkin spice flavoring. Additionally, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Pumpkin Caramel Macchiato both feature pumpkin flavoring.
It is also worth noting that Starbucks does not only use pumpkins in their drinks but also in their food items. Some of their food items that contain pumpkin include their pumpkin scones, pumpkin cheesecake bars, and pumpkin muffins.
Conclusion
So while pumpkin iced coffee is not currently offered at Starbucks, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the flavor. There are plenty of ways to make this drink at home or enjoy pumpkin-flavored drinks at Starbucks or other cafes. You can also explore the many pumpkin-flavored items they have on their menu. So go ahead, indulge in the flavors of the fall and make your own pumpkin iced coffee.
