How To Add 20x The Flavor To Your Pumpkin Spice Latte – No Matter Where You Order It

When summer is coming to an end and another season is almost upon us, you'll notice a certain change in the air. You won't find it marked on a traditional calendar, but it is engraved on the hearts of foodies everywhere: pumpkin spice latte season. What Starbucks popularized in 2003 (though evidence suggests the drink may have gotten started earlier) is now a global tradition and a firm fixture in the run-up to fall. While the OG recipe remains most people's fave, the pumpkin-flavored array of beverages available has expanded in all sorts of directions — but that doesn't mean they can't be bettered. To turn your PSL into a flavor powerhouse, regardless of where you're ordering, ask for a dusting of cinnamon.

This warming spice is one of the most popular additions to a PSL, and with a single sip, it's easy to see why. Although the pumpkin spice at the heart of the PSL already contains some cinnamon, it's blended with other flavors, including cloves and nutmeg, to pair deliciously with the pumpkin puree present in at least some blends. Adding an extra dash of cinnamon turns up the warmth and sweetness of the beverage. Rather than overwhelming everything or making it taste too sugary, cinnamon enhances the PSL's coffee and pumpkin flavors. It works whether you plump for a hot or cold pumpkin spice latte, and if all that wasn't tempting enough to give it a whirl, remember: cinnamon is so evocative of fall!

Personal taste plays a major role in how you order your pumpkin spice latte, but for optimum flavor balance, many baristas recommend you buy a grande size, as it's large enough to let everything work its magic but not so big that you can't finish it. Some suggest sidestepping the heavy whipped cream, and while we love it, we can see their argument if you prefer a lighter beverage. Besides cinnamon, there are lots of other delicious ways to top your PSL, and cold foams are one of the best. Try the salted caramel kind, and your taste buds will adore you.

Chai is one of the most underrated additions, with one Redditor (who had previously turned up their nose at the notion) saying, "I tried it and was shaking in my apron — it is amazing." White mocha is also wildly popular for those with a big sweet tooth, as are vanilla and maple syrups, though some people dial back the number of pumps to keep the sugar under control. If you want to stay on the warm spice route, gingerbread syrup is a great way to amp up your PSL, working much like cinnamon does by playing up that sweet winter heat. Of course, getting a taste of fall isn't just limited to ordering a pumpkin spice latte, as you can use this hack to add it to any drink you want during the fall season.