Autumn used to be marked by the falling leaves and the days growing colder, but not anymore. The cosy season now officially begins with the arrival of pumpkin spice, which seems to happen earlier every year. The trend has become so huge that Merriam-Webster has finally added it to the dictionary, defining it as "a mixture of usually cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and often allspice that is commonly used in pumpkin pie".

Once available only in the United States, pumpkin spice has taken the world by storm. But beware: not all pumpkin-spiced products are created equal. To help separate the tricks from the treats, we tested as many of the latest limited-edition foods and drinks as possible. Our Features Writer, resident chef and self-declared pumpkin spice expert Maria has the verdict.

There’s a reason why this is the product that changed it all. The creamy, delicious Starbucks Frappuccino is the OG, and so far, no one has managed to take its crown (despite its ‘basic girl drink’ reputation). The frappé tastes like pie, which may have something to do with the fact that it packs a scarily high 37.8g of sugar in every tall-sized cup. Starbucks also uses real pumpkin concentrate in its recipe, according to the company’s allergen book, meaning the drink isn't just about the spice.

The Frappuccino’s grown-up sister, this drink is for those who have a taste for more complex coffee flavours but aren’t ready to give up on that sweet pumpkin hit. The smooth cold brew satisfies those caffeine cravings while the cream tops it off with some sugary pie notes – plus, it’s very Instagrammable, which only serves to enhance its must-have status. Packing only 11g of sugar, it’s a more sensible choice than the Frappuccino, but it’s not quite as iconic… yet.

Covered with Starbucks’ signature whipped cream – which never curdles and tastes slightly of marshmallow – and laced with a kick of caffeine and a well-balanced ratio of all-spice, cinnamon and nutmeg, this drink is a true guilty pleasure. It’s moreish, which is why some people may consider it to be too over-indulgent (not me, though).

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In a nation where tea’s the top dog, it is great to have an alternative to coffee that still offers trendy flavours that aren’t your usual builder’s brew. Bird & Blend does an excellent job with its Pumpkin Spice Tea: a combination of Sri Lankan black tea, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, carrot, vanilla pieces and, best of all, pumpkin- and bat-shaped sprinkles. There’s nothing better than a grown-up drink that’s not afraid to appeal to our inner child.

There are many layers to this drink. It’s a very soothing concoction, with the carrot and vanilla adding cake-like notes, then there's the earthiness we associate with pumpkin. The tea can be enjoyed as a hot or cold brew, and with or without milk, which turns it into a delicious autumnal chai.

Why not take Bird & Blend’s tea to the next level and create a perfect Pumpkin Spice Tea Latte at home? Brew two teaspoons of its Spiced Pumpkin Pie Tea in 300ml of hot water for no more than four minutes, to prevent it from turning bitter. In the meantime, add two teaspoons of honey to your preferred dairy or non-dairy milk and gently heat and foam. Top your tea with the frothy milk, decorate with grated nutmeg or cinnamon, then enjoy while wrapped in a cosy blanket (as I did). This one’s a good option for a pumpkin-spiced concoction you can drink every day at home.

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When it gets too cold to have a frappé and autumn is truly on its way, it’s time for this drink to shine. Sure, you can have it iced, but why dilute a perfectly good cup? This is a sweet, but not sickly concoction, with well-balanced pumpkin pie flavours and the usual cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom notes. The velvety smoothness of this drink feels like a warm hug.

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I couldn’t hide my excitement when I heard the British shop of the people was jumping on an affordable take on the pumpkin spice latte, considering that a cup costs a mere £2.20. However, that joy was short-lived. After one sip, it became obvious that this is a subpar offering. Essentially, this is a regular latte with a sprinkle of dusty spices and a supermarket-grade whipped cream topping that doesn’t offset the bitterness of the coffee. It still packs 28g of sugar in a regular cup so you get all the guilt but none of the pleasure. Greggs needs to stick to what it does best: iconic sausage rolls.

The magic of the Pumpkin Spice Latte is that it surprises your tastebuds with an unexpected flavour. Coffee doesn’t normally taste like pie, so when it does, it’s special. But when a Pumpkin Spice Loaf Cake tastes like, well, pumpkin spice, the magic is gone. That’s not the only reason this spiced snack is disappointing, though. The crumb is a bit stodgy, the whole thing is dry, and the pumpkin seed garnish gives you some crunch, but no flavour. Starbucks may be the Queen of the Frappuccino, but its pastry could learn a thing or two from good ol’ Greggs.

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Some people may think that adding pumpkin spice to brownies is overdoing it. Those people are wrong. Chocolate and cinnamon are a match made in heaven; Latin Americans have known this for centuries. Chocolate’s natural fat (cocoa butter) is an excellent vessel for spices whose flavour compounds are more soluble in fat than in water. Brownie delivery platform Simply Cake Co has released Pumpkin Spice Brownies for the autumn and the result is a gooey brownie bar with mulled spice undertones.

The chocolate is dark and a tad bitter, and the pumpkin tastes slightly more like orange than anything else (similar to a Terry’s Chocolate Orange). All in all, it’s a very nice seasonal treat – though not one I would have very often. Still, it’s quite remarkable that we live in an era where brownies can be sent through the mailbox, so I won’t take that for granted.

Pro: Starbucks has released a vegan pumpkin spice option, which is bound to appeal to the masses. Con: it doesn’t taste good. Somehow this treat manages to be sickly sweet and bland at the same time. It has a texture that I can only associate with cardboard and the mix of seeds and cranberries scattered on top does nothing to improve the situation. It didn’t hit any nostalgic notes and, considering it has 27g of sugar per cookie, I would like a calorie refund. 

Having amassed over a million followers thanks to his easy takes on Starbucks classics and his profound love for quality coffee, Tiktok’s @softpourns (AKA Dan McLaughlin) started pumpkin spice season early this year, releasing his DIY pumpkin syrup. Following the easy steps, I happily recreated this recipe at home, since my pumpkin spice addiction is not a cheap one. Some people even blame it for my generation’s financial crisis.

The recipe is straightforward and takes less than 10 minutes. In a saucepan, mix half a cup of white sugar, light brown sugar and pumpkin purée. Add three-quarters of a cup of water and two teaspoons of pumpkin pie spices, and simmer until glossy. I took the small creative liberty of adding a little bit of vanilla and a pinch of salt. The result? A lovely syrup that tastes very close to the Starbucks version (though if you’re not blending your drink, the syrup tends to sink to the bottom of your average cup of coffee).

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Plant-based lovers rejoice! Califia Farms has a new seasonal Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew with Almond Milk and it does not disappoint. With the lack of bitterness that characterises cold brew and the creaminess of almond milk, this product is rich, indulgent and very sweet. The spice mix provides subtle warm notes. And, like with all the best pumpkin spice products, this drink has actual pumpkin in it (though it could do with a little bit more coffee). The best thing about this product is how convenient it is: keep it in the fridge and shake and serve over ice any time that pumpkin spice craving hits.

The classic British shop Whittard is better known for its delicate signature teas, but it's released a limited edition pumpkin spice flavoured ground coffee as part of its autumn range. I'm not going to lie, I was a bit sceptical about this one, solely because flavoured coffee can be somewhat lacking in depth. I'm glad to report that I was wrong, though. The moment I brewed the coffee, I could smell the spices. The Brazilian beans produced a mellow, well-balanced cup with no bitter aftertaste. This is a fantastic alternative for black coffee aficionados who want the seasonal flavour but prefer to opt out of milk, cream and all the other frivolities that usually come with it.

Whittard’s autumn range includes a Spiced Pumpkin Chai: a word that translates simply to tea, but that in Western cultures we have come to associate with spicy, milky sweetness. My first impression of this cup was that it had a lovely orange hue (the signature autumn colour). One look at the ingredient list and I could tell why: not only does the tea contain 15% pumpkin, but it also contains carrot, both of which are responsible for the earthiness and sweet pie notes I was looking for. On the nose, the clove is a bit heavy, and it reminded me of the scent of mulled wine. However, the first sip felt warm and comforting and the flavour profiles were strong. Just add steamed milk and a dollop of creamy froth, then dust with a pinch of nutmeg. Perfection!

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Mozart’s seasonal liqueur flavour is bright orange both outside and in, so it certainly looks the part. The closest thing you'll get to a drinkable pumpkin pie, the liqueur contains ample notes of milk chocolate, caramel, pumpkin, cinnamon, clove and vanilla. One sip was enough to blow me away. With a luxuriously creamy texture that coats the tongue, there's no better way to amp up your coffee this autumn than by adding a shot of this. It packs a punch at 17% ABV, but the alcohol isn't overpowering at all. You could try adding it to hot chocolate or pouring it over a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, but it's flavourful enough to be sipped from a glass and enjoyed as a tasty treat in its own right.

If you liked this, you'll love our Baileys spice on ice cocktail recipe