Seriously, y’all. I have never known a beverage with more expectations attached to it than the pumpkin spice latte. I’ve actually been a little scared to go to Starbucks and try one the last couple of days because I was afraid that the PSL couldn’t take the pressure.
However, I did think about taking my laptop into my neighborhood Starbucks, showing the barista all of your comments and saying, “DO YOU SEE WHAT THE PSL HAS STARTED?”
And then: “May I have a small sample, please?”
But then I remembered that doing that would require me to discuss my blog with a stranger. So, you know, NO.
Anyway, the PSL is on my to-do list. Maybe Thursday, maybe Friday. I don’t want to overthink it (of course, I will overthink it because I overthink EVERYTHING), but I don’t want the PSL for a morning beverage because if I get one and don’t like it, then my morning coffee experience will be RURNT, I tell you. RURNT. And I know I could get a decaf in the afternoon, but I don’t really like decaf anything. Go jittery or go home is what I always say.
So, given my issues with the caffeine and the not sleeping (she types as she sips a diet Coke at 9:43 in the PM) the PSL is going to have to be a mid-morning or post-lunch treat. And you can rest assured that as soon as I try one and gather my thoughts, I’ll proceed immediately to the blog and share all of my PSL-related reactions in a not-even-a-little-bit-organized fashion. You deserve no less.
By the way: I was ASTOUNDED by the intricacy of your Starbucks orders. Especially you tea-loving people. I had no idea there were so many tea possibilities. And the Dirty Chai? How did you even know such a thing existed? Is there a class? A Starbucks 101 seminar offered online?
Another thing that astounded me: I had no idea you could get raspberry anything with coffee. But OH, now that I know? I feel empowered. Raspberry and chocolate is one of my very favorite flavor combinations, so there is definitely a raspberry mocha in my future. I for one could not be more delighted.
All that to say: your comments about coffee were not only a treat to read – they are a resource. I went back through them again today just to get some drink ideas. You, internet, have helped me to solidify my Starbucks goals for the remainder of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. I am forever grateful.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to watch Top Chef restaurant wars and maybe even a House Hunters. And OH! I ALMOST FORGOT THIS, MY WORD! Ree from The Pioneer Woman is in the November issue of Southern Living – there’s an absolutely beautiful feature story on her and her family and her recipes. I got my issue in the mail last week, and I saw a big stack of them on display at the grocery store a couple of days ago. If you read Ree’s blog – or even if you don’t – you’ll get such a kick out of seeing her in the pages of SL. Yay, Ree!
Even better: go get you a PSL and a SL. They’ll make for a perfect afternoon.
See y’all tomorrow!
Can you even believe I hate coffee?? Caramel Apple Spice, extra cream, extra caramel is my poison.
And Ree is fabulous. That’s it.
PSL’s are heavenly…I’m going to have to start using this abbreviation for it. :)
My sister and brother-in-law are anti-Starbucks. They have me tell them the long version of what I order at Starbucks in Starbuckese and then laugh because I say “thank you” after paying $5 for it. (Do NOT forget the whip on the PSL. Go full fat or go home.)
I always get my SL late. Does it really take it that long to get north of the Mason Dixon line? Hmph. I think they send it late just to remind me that I’M ALL THE WAY UP HERE (in NY).
As for the PSL…I try it every year and I can’t get a whole tall one down. It’s just too rich for me, but I certainly hope you enjoy yours!!!
And PS: My Word! You had 258 comments on your last post on “what to order at Starbucks”. PSL means fall is officially here. Which is our only clue in central Texas where the leaves do not turn colors and the temperature does not turn down.
I just got my November issue of SL in the mail yesterday. Thanks to you and Amazon I got the $5 subscription, YAY!. Here’s a link to a HOMEMADE PSL
Haven’t tried it, I’m not a coffee drinker.
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/beverage/diy-pumpkin-spice-latte-096277
Oh my word, the term “Dirty Chai” really got me too! I had no idea there was this whole coffee shop language. I actually wrote a post last night as soon as I gave my two cents on yours on the coffee shop language. Also, I did get some good ideas for my next several study sessions at Starbucks, so thanks!!
I must confess, I googled “dirty chai” because I didn’t know if my eyes could handle scrolling through 260 comments to find out what it was…..wasn’t sure what kind of website I might end up on! But now my curiosity has been satisfied, and I just might have to try it the next time I hit Starbucks. I almost feel as though I should print out and bind your comments to carry around as a coffee-ordering reference guide!
And thanks for the SL tip about Pioneer Woman….I’m hoping my $5 subscription starts in time to catch her issue!!
A raspberry mocha is the *only* coffee drink I order. Mmm, mmm, mmm. I even bought a bottle of the raspberry flavoring to use at home, but I haven’t mastered the recipe yet.
I was so overwhelmed by the number of comments on the PSL post, that I refrained from leaving one myself. However, PSL time is my favorite time at Starbucks. Any other time, I get something French Vanilla-ish with whipped cream. (I don’t know what it is, exactly, b/c we don’t have one here local. So Starbucks is a treat for us!) However, they also have a very tasty Apple Cider that my hubby likes to get around Fall. You know, when we venture to the nearest Starbucks, 30+ minutes away. It’s yummy if you also want to give it a try. :)
While I am an absolute coffee addict (don’t even have a favorite, just has to be caffeinated) I must say the main reason I am commenting today is to thank you for your blog. I have been reading and commenting off and on for a while now, but your blog serves as a fabulous diversion for me and a great source of entertainment. Our daughter is preparing for her second open heart surgery, and reading your blog helps take my mind off it for a short time. Being a northener, I enjoy learning your southern girl sayings too – RURNT? Can I adopt that? Thanks, BooMama.
Oh my, I just had a pumpkin spice latte for the first time two days ago and it was DIVINE. I can’t believe I had waited so long to try one. So my advice to you is: Go for it! Go now!
I’m confused why my Oct issue of SL just got here YESTERDAY (lo, near the end of October!) and your Nov issue has already arrived.
Dear Southern Living, when you get to work today, that will be me on the other end of the ringing phone.
i just saw her in people country! she’s so gorgeous – i’ll have to check out SL too!
i’m going to starbucks tomorrow. but after that post, i no longer know what to order! i’m determined to get out of my stick-in-the-mud ways and try something new!!
my friend’s sister will be on House Hunters tonight! We don’t have cable so I’ll miss it, but she’s so excited.
I just got my first issue of SL from my $5 Amazon subscription, and it wasn’t November. I got the October one. They’d better get on it and send me the November, because I hate seeing it in the grocery store and knowing I have to wait for the mail. And my mail lady hates me, so she probably has it at home, along with my InStyle that I’ve not received yet and is enjoying them with her PSL. I can’t take it.
Your last few posts have been awesome. Thanks for bringin’ the funny!
(Oh, and I can’t get the Narnia post out of my head. God is certainly not safe. I’m learning that more every day. I’m reading that to my 6 year old son every night too, and that part just gives me chills.)
Could this comment BE any longer? Sorry.
Thank you for sharing about the $5 SL subscription. My first issue arrived yesterday.
Ree is in SL, too? She’s also in People! I LOVE IT!
Enjoy the latte. You’ll love it. : )
I tried to post yesterday but the computer wigged out on me.
What I was trying to say is that my favorite drink is the Chai latte (and apparently I’m not alone!) I usually make my own at home because $4 for a drink is hard to swallow!
However I have a friend who swears by the PSL with a shot of chai! I’m going to HAVE to try it!
You hit the nail on the head – “intricacy of your Starbucks orders”.
I think that’s why I never go there. Because I don’t know HOW to do that ordering thing. I have no idea where to start. I’d just be “a large double double please” and I’m sure people would look at me and shake their heads in disgust.
There should be a “Starbucks Ordering 101” flyer in every location to help people like me.
Let’s start an on-line movement, shall we?
My SL won’t arrive for a while and I only live in TX. It galls me to see it on the stands in the store before it’s in my mailbox! But I can’t wait to read the story on Ree and she mentioned being in People (for Country People) and now I can’t find that on the newstands.
BTW- nothing says fall like a Pumpkin Spice Latte with whip. You will wish you had tried it earlier. Don’t overthink just do it.
I actually had plans to go to Starbucks last night to meet some friends from college, so your post was like a primer (I have only been to Starbucks like four times ever, and it’s been years). Since I was properly schooled in the art of a Starbucks order, I was prepared to order the PSL. It was good, but I don’t know that it knocked my socks off. Definitely get the whip, though.
I don’t think my Nov. SL has come yet either. Hmmmmmmmm.
I normally spend my Thursday’s at Starbucks writing while my girls are at MDO. Normally a mocha is my favorite will a little hazelnut and cinnamon added but my new favorite is the Caramel Apple Spice. It is like apple pie in a cup. AMAZING! I know the people who work at my Starbucks would love to hear about your blog so I bet yours would think the same. I have had some great conversations with them.
We’ll all be walking into Starbucks asking for a PSL now! We’ll have to let them know it’s not the same if we don’t order it that way!
I just got my very first Southern Living in the mail a couple of days ago. I ordered it based on your recommendation and the $5 subscription. I didn’t know The Pioneer Woman was in there. I will have to read it tonight! Also, I am looking forward to getting my Starbucks drink ideas here. I am one of those that orders “coffee”, that’s all. When did it get so complicated?
Caramel Apple Spice is the way to go. I don’t care for coffee. I tried the PSL once, but not a big fan. I guess you should like coffee if you want to drink it. Although the idea of pumpkin got me to buy the thing. If only they’d add the pumkin to the caramel apple spice – OMG – I think I could do it!
Oh my….I’m going to have to take a look at the comments myself…chocolate + raspberry?? yum!
I thought I’d pass this website along to you. It is a plethora of Starbucks information. http://www.quicksilverweb.net/sbucks/sbcharts.htm
Ok after reading all the comments about the salted caramel hot chocolate I HAD to try it, but when I went to my local Starbucks they said they did not get it in this season because it is to expensive!? Has anyone else heard about this?
Love a PSL and eagerly anticipate it each Fall. But EVERYONE seems to offer a pumpkin flavor. Went to a frozen yogurt shop yesterday and there was a pumpkin flavor. Had my doubts but felt brave. After trying it I realized pumpkin has not successfully transcended to the world of frozen treats as a viable option.
RASPBERRY MOCHA!!! I did not know of this drink! I will be leaving early to pick up the child from school to get one. :) I think my world is fixing to rock.
Have a great weekend!!!
UGH. If I knew where you lived and was within 30 minutes I would BRING you a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Just try it for crying out loud!!! I always order mine extra hot. That way I can hold it in my hands and savor the smell for about 30 minutes before I drink it! :) Basically I smell it in the car and it’s ready to drink when I get to work.
I wanna be Ree when I grow up. For real. I’m stunned she is alive and out there because I wanna go just sit and watch. ;)
And I promise my feelings won’t be hurt if you don’t enjoy the PSL as much as I do. I’ll be in shock for a minute, but i’ll love you anyway.
hmmm… may have to try a dirty chai, on the rare occasion that I enter a starbucks. (not a coffee drinker, but their caramel apple cider is YUMMY!)
I have never had it but been wanting to try it!
okay, disregard earlier comment… Oct SL came in the mail yesterday, Nov SL came in the mail today.
I wonder if the Dec SL will show up tomorow?
I actually did a little clap when I read about Ree being in Southern Living. I have been waiting for that. She’s in People too! Yay!
Will you still be my friend if I tell you I don’t like pumpkin spice lattes, or Starbucks coffee for that matter?
Pray about it.
Should you pull out some Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha creamer in my presence, someone could get hurt as I rush for the bottle.
What?
I may have to venture to Starbucks, but I will await your report:o) Yeah! PW in People and SL! She is the kinda gal we should be reading about!
I can’t handle reading over 250 comments on Starbucks w/ out piling all my kids in the car to get one!! For fall…try the caramel latte yumm!! Also, you can get a peppermint mocha anytime of year. Just have to ask. Try it cold in the summer…so refreshing! And finally, I was introduced to a java chip frap made white this weekend…TO DIE FOR GOOD! It’s a java chip made w/ white chocolate. I love the PSL when it first came out but I haven’t been tempted to get one yet this year. Maybe because it is still 80 degrees out and doesn’t quite feel like fall??
I’m glad I could be of such help! LOL! :)
except that you say you don’t share you blog with strangers and let’s be real…who could be stranger than the likes of us?
Okay, it’s been too long since I last visited. Not because you haven’t had interesting things to say, but because I’ve been remiss. So a couple of comments:
I actually really like drinking coffee at home. Like you, I get a little spooked at paying upwards of $3 for a cuppa joe. That said, I will agree that the PSL is worth a try–quite yummy, in fact. But all in all I’ll pit my Keurig cup doctored with my own Sweet’n’Low and half-and-half against any other cup.
More important than coffee, I just read about the recent sermon series at your church. And your church, I see, is Brook Hills. My goodness, woman, no wonder I like you! Before we moved to North Carolina, we lived in Liberty Park! Man, now I really miss B’ham.
Oh – you really must try Diet Caffeine Free Coke – I made the switch after my 7 year old was born and being off caffeine for so long made me very caffeine sensitive. (not that I don’t enjoy my caffeine in the morning whether it’s diet coke or some yummy flavored coffee)
Who needs Starbucks!!! I made these yesterday for my fellow teachers. They were delish! Even the non-coffee drinkers raved!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/crockpot-pumpkin-spice-latte-recipe.html
Thank you so much for providing this valuable service. Now I no longer have to cast furtive glances about before quickly mumbling my order for a tall cafe au lait while simultaneously hoping that the barista doesn’t ask for additional info. I’ll just copy and paste these comments, compile them into a booklet, laminate it and keep it in my purse for those rare Starbucks visits. Thank you. Thank you.
I can’t take all that milk in a latte, so I get a Grande Americano with PS flavoring and just a touch of half and half. works for me.
And sorry, but raspberry mocha sounds ick to me. but then, I do not like fruit with chocolate, or coffee.
My absolute favorite drink from Starbucks was the orange mocha. Sadly they don’t make it anymore.;( The raspberry mocha is okay but not the same. I agree with some of the others about the PSL. Something about it just doesn’t sit right with me. Not sure why. Maybe it’s just too rich. I did get my SL and immediately read the story on PW! Exciting! But I am a little disappointed in the magazine since my last subscription a few years ago.
Lookee what I ran across this morning!
http://prairiecottagerose.blogspot.com/2009/10/pumpkin-spice-latte.html