College football has been canceled. But another fall classic is returning — earlier than ever.
Because yes, if there ever was a year when we needed a soothing pumpkin-spiced latte, 2020 is it.
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Dunkin’ announced last that its pumpkin menu of drinks and bakery items will return August 19. Making their debut will be a new Signature Pumpkin Spice Latte — the base is now pumpkin-vanilla instead of pumpkin-cinnamon — and a new spicy but non-pumpkiny Chai Latte.
Those drinks will join the lineup of pumpkin-flavored brewed coffee, doughnuts, muffins and doughnut holes. The Maple Sugar Bacon Breakfast Sandwich also is making a seasonal comeback.
Dunkin’s lattes and coffee drinks are all available iced, and the cold brew is available with a pumpkin flavor swirl.
Last year’s roll-out date for pumpkin drinks was Aug. 21 for Dunkin’ and Aug. 27 for Starbucks, which invented the Pumpkin Spice Latte, or PSL as fans call it. The Seattle-based java juggernaut has hinted at an early release this year but made no announcement.
The earliest-ever drop date in the PSL’s 16-year history was in 2014 when Starbucks selected Aug. 26 to unleash the pumpkin-mania.
What if you’re one of those who doesn’t like to drink pumpkin coffees until fall actually arrives?
Circle Sept. 22 on your calendar.
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