Pumpkin spice lattes are now ubiquitous due to the Starbucks effect. The global caffeinated behemoth from Seattle introduced their now iconic fall seasonal drink in 2003 after developing the recipe in their Liquid Lab. Customers embraced the PSL despite the fact that the namesake gourd was initially nowhere to be found. Apparently simply having baking spices used in pumpkin pie like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove was acceptable until 2015. That’s when the company added Kabocha puree to the mix, giving their PSL pumpkin bonafides. I know people eagerly anticipate PSL season, but Starbucks has never been my jam. Learn about 10 of my favorite caffeinated Los Angeles pumpkin drinks at spots I enjoy.

Starbucks keeps releasing PSLs earlier and earlier in the year. For 2024, they made PSL available starting on August 22, when it was still warm in L.A. Catch my recommended Los Angeles pumpkin drinks before they disappear until next fall.

Be Bright Coffee Pumpkin Pie Latte – Melrose ↓

CoffeeDrunk Lil’ Slice (Pumpkin Smash Instigator last year) – 3 Long Beach Locations ↓

Espresso Profeta Pumpkin A Go Go – Westwood ↓

Go Get Em Tiger Pumpkin Spice Lattes – 8 Los Angeles Locations ↓

Heavy Water Signature PSL – Victor Heights ↓

Kumquat Coffee The Harvest (Seasonal) – DTLA + Highland Park ↓

Lil’ East Coffee Lil’ Miss Pumpkin – El Sereno ↓

Stereoscope Coffee Company Cranberry Pumpkin Spice Latte – Echo Park, West Hollywood + Orange County ↓

Stumptown Coffee Fall Flight (includes Pumpkin Spice Latte) – Pasadena ↓

Supersweet Tattoos & Coffee Pumpkin Cold Foam Latte – Echo Park ↓

Tepito Coffee Pumpkin Spice Horchata Latte – Pasadena ↓