I blind taste-tested a homemade PSL vs Starbucks PSL — and the winner didn't surprise me at all

I, Erin, a former Starbucks barista, recently embarked on a challenge to recreate a Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) at home and compare it to the iconic Starbucks version. As part of The Coffee Lab series, where coffee snobbery is left at the door, I aimed to prove that an ex-Starbucks worker could indeed make a superior PSL. I purchased Monin's Pumpkin Spice syrup from Amazon, which closely resembles the syrup Starbucks uses, and made a standard latte using my KitchenAid KF3 espresso machine.

I added two teaspoons of syrup to taste, avoiding whipped cream to keep things simple. Upon tasting, I could immediately identify the Starbucks PSL, but I felt my homemade version had its own charm. The homemade latte was sweet, warming, and cozy, with a more prominent cinnamon flavor that I personally preferred. The espresso and milk textures were almost identical, making it a close call.

While the Starbucks PSL is undeniably delicious and rich, costing £5.70, my homemade version came in at nearly £15 due to the cost of the espresso machine. Despite the higher price, I believe my homemade PSL was a worthy competitor, offering a unique twist on the classic holiday drink.