This year sparks the 20th anniversary of the world-famous Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Love it or hate it, this drink has spawned an entire aesthetic surrounding it: the start of fall, plaid blanket scarves, being a basic white girl, ugg boots, etc. For years, I had anxiously awaited the day when Starbucks rolled out their fall menu. I’d be the first in line for the coveted PSL. And when I took that first sip of this luxurious, creamy concoction… that’d be it. I wouldn’t finish it all. Surprised?
It’s easy to see how someone like me could become obsessed with the PSL Girlie vibe. Starbucks is seen as a status symbol. Then you have the fact that this drink has pumpkin in it. And it debuts in late August, meaning Autumn is not far behind. But as much as I wanted to love it — as much as I wanted to be that girl — it’s not me.
Don’t get me wrong, the PSL is not bad at all. But I do want to harp on the fact that anything more than a sip is too much for me. It’s not the sweetness (I live on candy and cake). It’s not the coffee content (you can always add more sweet, or change the milk to fit the profile better). It’s not the fact that the PSL didn’t originally have pumpkin in it (changed in 2015). Was the pressure of being that PSL Girlie too much for me, the HalloGeek?
No, I think it’s just that this specific pumpkin drink is not for me. I can down a Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino. This year’s new Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte (my current fave). And you bet I’m scarfing down the pumpkin pastries they have too.
Every year I get at least one PSL, but this year I’m not sure I’ll get one. It seems that no matter how much I want to, the drink is just not for me — and that’s OK! I’m still a spooky bitch. I live Halloween every day and will continue to do so. I’m still excited for what the PSL season means for witchy humans like me, and I’m still posting Insta pics of that Starbucks logo. I may not like the PSL, but perhaps I’m a still PSL Girlie at heart.
Are you #TeamPSL or naw? Let us know in the comments!
