Autumn is here, with its crisp blue skies and orange leaves, and I can't get enough of cosy jumpers and evenings by the fireside.
The lure of seasonal coffees is calling, but with prices upwards of £4.90 for a classic Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, I wondered if there might be a cheaper option.
Because if there's one thing I love as much as the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, it's a bargain. So, when I heard Greggs was also doing a pumpkin spiced latte at £2.75, almost half the price, I couldn't resist testing out the dupe.
So, which was best - Starbucks or Greggs?
Much as this pains me - I love a discount - the Greggs one just missed that autumn kick.
I'm a big fan of Greggs - few things bring more joy than a vegan sausage roll and a discount doughnut - but the flavour just wasn't the same.
Where the Starbucks classic Pumpkin Spiced Latte was packed with whipped cream, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, the Greggs one was thinner and sweeter, but missing the spicy autumn kick.
While I was testing things out, I also took a sip (well, almost half a cup of the new Pumpkin Spice Caramel Macchiato (also £4.90), and that was even better - with a caramel drizzle as well as the usual spicy wonderfulness.
I will definitely revisit the Greggs option - it might just have been an off day - but for autumn cosy days, it's Starbucks for the win.
@katieperryxo nicer and half the price of starbucks 🎃 #pumpkin #pumpkinspicelatte #moneysavingtips #greggs ♬ son original - Speed_Songs🤍
What do the money experts say?
When I did some research, it turned out that Nationwide were also looking at autumn coffees, and their analysis found that more than a quarter of consumers (27%)* are cutting back on takeaway coffees in order to save money.
Google Trends data also revealed that consumers are seeking cheaper alternatives to the iconic Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, which costs £4.90, as searches increased 120% over the past seven days for the more affordable Greggs pumpkin spice drink, which retails for just £2.50.
Recommended reading:
- Starbucks launches Pumpkin Spiced Lattes for 2025
- Greggs launches Pumpkin Spiced Lattes in autumn deals
- Costa Coffee unveils its autumn coffees for 2025
Searches for pumpkin latte recipes also increased by 110%, suggesting that consumers were seeking budget-friendly ways to make their favourite autumn drink at home.
Stephen Noakes, Director of Retail at Nationwide, said: "The data shows that consumers are seeking to minimise their outgoings on everyday costs such as takeaway coffees to manage their spending more carefully.
"The cost of small treats is undoubtedly more expensive for consumers at the moment, but they are finding ways to lower the cost on the things that bring them joy, even in a more challenging economic climate, whether that’s opting for alternative brands or making their coffees at home."
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