Pumpkin spice season is in full swing, and there’s no better way to enjoy the flavor of fall than with a pumpkin spice latte. These drinks are some of the most delicious and energizing ways to kick off the season. Whether you’re hanging out with a friend, going to a pumpkin patch, or cozying up on the couch to watch a movie, a pumpkin spice latte is the perfect match for any occasion.

State College is filled with incredible coffee shops, and deciding which place to try can be tricky when there are so many options. Every coffee shop has its own unique take on a pumpkin spice latte with different flavors that blend together.

To ensure that you choose the best pumpkin spice latte available this season, I have tasted and ranked pumpkin spice lattes from a few coffee shops across State College. While everyone has their preferences, I ranked these lattes based on taste and ordered each one as an iced pumpkin spice latte with almond milk and no whipped cream.  

No. 5: Dunkin’

Some of Dunkin’s loyal customers may be upset with this ranking, but the pumpkin spice latte I had was just not good. The drink tasted like straight milk with an overwhelming amount of pumpkin and cinnamon spice. Now, I know what you might be thinking, “it’s a pumpkin SPICE latte.” While this is true, the spice was way too overpowering and left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.

While this is not my preferred pumpkin spice latte, it may be yours if you like sweet and sugary over the taste of coffee.

No. 4: Elixr Coffee

I had never tried Elixr before, and I had high hopes for their lattes after hearing good reviews. However, their pumpkin spice latte did not live up to the hype and was average compared to others I have tried.

The latte was watery and did not have a very prominent pumpkin flavoring. It wasn’t the worst coffee I had, and the flavor was alright, but it just didn’t give fall vibes or have everything you could want in a good pumpkin spice latte, especially for the price.

No. 3: Vibe Coffee Co.

Vibe Coffee’s pumpkin spice latte was a vibe. It wasn’t my favorite or the best pumpkin spice latte I have ever had, but the pumpkin flavor was there. The latte had a bit of a bitter taste from the coffee but was coupled nicely with almond milk and the pumpkin flavoring. Vibe Coffee brought the fall feels with their pumpkin spice latte, but it could have been better.

No. 2: Starbucks

A true staple. Every fall, I treat myself to a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, and it never disappoints. The pumpkin spice flavor is definitely there, and it has the perfect orange color. Starbucks is known for its pumpkin spice latte during the fall, and it is always a reliable source for a tasty fall drink, no matter how you like to order it.  

Out of all the pumpkin spice lattes I have had, Starbucks has the most pumpkin flavor with a dash of cinnamon. That first sip tastes like fall and makes you want to go to a pumpkin patch and watch Gilmore Girls.

In addition to the pumpkin spice latte, Starbucks has a menu with a variety of fall drinks, and I have also tried the pumpkin cream cold brew. Safe to say that Starbucks knows how to do fall justice and create drinks that have the perfect amount of sweetness for the season.

No. 1: Eden Valley Co.

Eden Valley Coffee is new to State College, and let’s just say they did not disappoint. This was one of the best pumpkin spice lattes I have ever had, as it was not too sweet and had the perfect amount of pumpkin and cinnamon flavoring. The coffee was smooth and had the perfect ratio of coffee and milk. The barista added an additional touch to the latte by adding a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, which made it even better.

The only deduction I have for this one is that it was made with oat milk instead of almond milk because Eden Valley does not carry almond milk. Despite this, the coffee was still delicious, and I tried something new and ended up liking it.

So, if you are someone who loves coffee that isn’t too sweet or sugary, then this is the perfect pumpkin spice latte for you. I would definitely go out of my way to get this again before the end of fall.

While this is only a few of State College’s coffee shops, it is clear that there are a lot of options when it comes to finding the best pumpkin spice latte. Whether you’re an iced, hot, sweet, or strong coffee drinker, State College has plenty of places to get a delicious drink for the fall.