{
  "id": 15597850,
  "title": "I blind taste-tested a homemade PSL vs Starbucks PSL — and the winner didn't surprise me at all",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/i-blind-taste-tested-a-homemade-psl-vs-starbucks-psl-and-the-winner",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-19T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/home/coffee-makers/i-blind-taste-tested-a-homemade-psl-vs-starbucks-psl-and-the-winner-didnt-surprise-me-at-all"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "In The Coffee Lab Episode 23, I, an ex-Starbucks barista, put my coffee-making skills to the test. Who can make a better PSL: Starbucks or me?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}