Pumpkin Spice Season

Hello, wonderful world! It's spooky season and that means pumpkin products are hitting the shelves across the United States. In the spirit of fall, I'll be reviewing the Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte by La Colombe. I purchased the can pictured below at Trader Joe's for $2.49 (USD).

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Based on how this this pumpkin spice latte (PSL) is marketed, I would say it is something novel. According to La Colombe's website, this drink aims to do away with "the overly-sugary toppings and the calorie-dense drinks" of today's PSL market. ^Source I was intrigued to see how a latte with only 100 calories and 4 grams of added sugar stacked up against the sweet, creamy lattes I had sampled at various other cafés. ^Source
Disclaimer: This is the first and only draft latte I have tried from La Colombe.

The Tasting

I took a sip and was immediately put off by the lack of sweetness and the strength of the pumpkin flavor. Not wanting the drink to go to waste, I headed to my fridge and took out some whole milk, heavy whipping cream, and cinnamon.

I ended up creating something more resembling a traditional iced latte by adding in the aforementioned ingredients: I poured in a good amount of milk to half of the can, topped the glass off with some whipped cream, and sprinkled on a bit of cinnamon for presentation. It came out looking more like a dessert.

With the added ingredients, I was able to achieve a balance between flavors. The whole milk helped the drink to taste less like a plain cold brew and more like a latte. The fresh whipped cream added a lightness and complimented the strong taste of the natural pumpkin (yes, La Colombe uses real ingredients!). While I initially added the cinnamon for the visual effect, it actually added a soothing warmth to the drink that brought back memories of past autumns. I ended up finishing off the whole can pretty quickly.

Final Thoughts

While the drink without the added ingredients doesn't quite suit my taste —I'm a bigger fan of sweeter drinks with a lot more cream— it is certainly a great option for those who want to enjoy a PSL this season without the guilt of the unhealthy amounts of sugar and hard-to-pronounce ingredients found in most PSLs. This draft latte also comes in a can, so you can drink it right after you pay for it or bring it home to put your own spin on it. In addition, this drink won't put a dent in your wallet because it's fairly inexpensive at $2.49. However, it is only 9 fluid ounces, so if you're looking for something more filling, I would suggest adding any kind of milk.

Despite not being suited to my personal tastes, La Colombe's Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte is certainly one of the most authentic PSLs on the market. With real pumpkin puree and only a teaspoon of added sugar, this drink provides a refreshing experience with all the spirit of fall.

_{All photographs were captured by me on my iPhone Xs.}