Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Sauce vs Syrup: Which One is Better?

Pumpkin spice season is near, and if you’re anything like me, I’m sure you’re looking forward to seeing what the coffee shops will have to offer this year. Since we live near a Starbucks, my friend and I always sample what they have as soon as they announce the menu, but when the topic came up recently, I was surprised that we could not agree on which was better between the pumpkin spice sauce and syrup. So I took it upon myself to find out more about these two seasonal additions and came up with this post so that I could share the findings with you as well. Enjoy!

What are the differences between Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Sauce and Syrup?

Features	Starbucks Pumpkin Spice sauce	Starbucks Syrup
Ingredients	2 percent pumpkin puree, condensed milk, sugar, less than 2 percent vegetable and fruit juice, natural flavoring, annatto (for color), potassium sorbate(preservative), and salt.	Sugar, sweetened condensed nonfat milk, condensed nonfat milk, natural and artificial flavors, annatto color (E160B), caramel color (E150A), potassium sorbate (E202, preservative), and salt
Taste profile	Has a fruity flavor- warm and tangy.	Has a sweet and tangy flavor.
Caffeine content/ Nutritional value	1 pump contains 0 mg of caffeine,25 calories per pump,6 grams of sugar, 6 grams of carbs,0 grams of fat, and 0 grams of protein.	0 mg of caffeine,15 calories per pump,5 grams of sugar,5 grams of carbs,0 grams of fat, and 0 grams of protein.
Availability/ Accessibility	Not for sale. Only available with Starbucks beverages at the coffee shop.	Starbucks has replaced the pumpkin syrup with pumpkin sauce. The company still carries more than a dozen syrups that you can use.

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Sauce vs Syrup: How do they compare?

What it’s made of (ingredients)

Starbucks pumpkin spice sauce is made of 2% pumpkin puree, condensed milk, sugar, and less than 2% vegetable and fruit juice, natural flavoring, annatto (E160B for coloring), potassium sorbate (E202 preservative), and salt and is used in fall favorite beverages such as the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. The pumpkin puree is the most important ingredient, followed by the condensed milk.

On the other hand, Starbucks pumpkin spice syrup consisted of sugar, sweetened condensed nonfat milk, condensed nonfat milk, natural and artificial flavors, annatto color (E160B), and caramel color (E150A), potassium sorbate (E202, preservative), and salt. Sugar was the most important ingredient in this syrup.

The Pumpkin spice sauce wins as far as ingredients are concerned. In addition to all that the syrup contains, it also has real pumpkin puree.

Taste profile

Enjoying the fruity, tangy flavor of your pumpkin spice Americano or pumpkin spice Chai Latte? It is the pumpkin spice sauce that gives it the warm taste that we can’t seem to get enough of. The sauce not only decorates the drink or pastries, but it also gives them an unforgettable delicious aroma and can elevate a simple cup. By itself, it is very sweet and pungent, a bit unpleasant to be honest.

The pumpkin spice syrup had the same effect and was sweet and tangy in flavor, but since it was more liquid, it could be used with cold beverages much more easily.

It is a draw in terms of the taste profile. Both give the beverage the same fruity, tangy taste.

Caffeine content/nutritional value

Adding the sauce to your drink will not make it any more caffeinated, as it has no caffeine in it. One pump of the pumpkin sauce adds 25 calories and 6 grams of sugar, and since one pump is never enough, consider limiting the number of drinks you add the sauce to in a day.

The pumpkin syrup is not much better-it has 5 grams of sugar and 15 calories in a pump, and just like the sauce, this is high, especially when you consider they are “empty” calories.

It is also popular for caffeine and nutrition. Both contain no caffeine but are high in calories per pump.

Availability/ Accessibility

Unfortunately for us, Starbucks does not sell any of its sauces. This means you can only enjoy them in the beverages and pastries, and if seasonal, such as the pumpkin spice, only for a few weeks each year in the drinks we order. The good thing is that they also have other sauces that are available in store all year round and different offers every season as we wait for the next pumpkin spice season.

The pumpkin syrup has been completely removed from the menu, but there are about sixteen seasonal and all-year syrups to choose from, including the popular vanilla, classic syrups available all year round, and the seasonal chestnut praline, or apple brown sugar syrups.

The pumpkin spice sauce wins. It is still available with drinks at Starbucks compared to the syrup which it replaced.

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Sauce vs Syrup: A Comparison Review

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Sauce Overview

If you have never tasted Starbucks’ famous Pumpkin Spice Latte, also known as the PSL, I’ve got good news for you. According to reliable sources, the 2022 fall season drinks will be rolled out on August 30. This year we expect a reworked Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato (which debuted in 2021), the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and the Casi Cielo Coffee, among other exciting beverages. You can also get the Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew for at-home use from stores near you or online from leading retailers.

From experience, this thick and viscous sauce is best served in hot drinks and can be used as a topping for pastries and desserts. If last year is anything to go by, you should expect the menu to include the crumbly Pumpkin Scone, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, and I hear a new Cake Pop.

I love the strong flavor this sauce adds to the drink, and I can’t wait to see what we are going to get this time around.

What I liked

• A strong and distinct flavor.
• A wide range of items to use with

What I didn’t like

• The short period of availability

Whom it’s best suited for

• Anyone not on a vegan diet can enjoy this sauce.

Starbucks’ Pumpkin Syrup Overview

The Starbucks syrup has been the fall treat for the company’s fans for several years but has had to be replaced by the improved pumpkin sauce. I found the syrup to be more fluid and quite versatile and was able to use it in both cold and hot drinks as well as non-coffee beverages, including topping ice cream.

All is not lost, as Starbucks has equally good syrups that have many culinary applications. If you are vegan, you will find a number that you can use.

What I liked

• Versatility
• Strong flavors

What I didn’t like

• It is difficult to get

Whom it’s best suited for

• Anyone can use it with cold beverages and add flavor to home-cooked pastries and foods.

Final Verdict: So, which is better? Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Sauce or Syrup

The pumpkin spice sauce is the overall winner. It is made up of all the important ingredients in the pumpkin syrup and more, including real pumpkin puree. Whereas you will not be served pumpkin syrup at Starbucks, the sauce is available with beverages at the stores.

FAQ SECTION

Which one has a balanced flavor between Starbucks pumpkin syrup and pumpkin sauce?

The pumpkin syrup has a more balanced flavor with no overpowering taste.

Which one is more suitable for cold drinks between pumpkin syrup and pumpkin sauce?

The pumpkin syrup is more suitable for cold drinks as it is more fluid and less thick compared to the pumpkin sauce.

Is pumpkin syrup sweeter than pumpkin sauce?

No, the pumpkin syrup is not sweeter than the pumpkin sauce. The sauce has more sugar per pump compared to the syrup.