Foreward: I know I previously said that I’m not really much of a coffee drinker, but due to peer pressure and an overwhelming urge to spend $4 on a cup of coffee, I decided that there was simply no sense in leaving this stone, err, pumpkin unturned…
Flavor Value: surprisingly accurate – as if somebody had stashed a slice of pumpkin pie in the coffee maker and deliciousness ensued!
Coffee vs. Hot Chocolate: caffeine was definitely present, although not overbearing
Returnability: If I were a coffee drinker, or if said peer pressurers didn’t live on the other side of the country and thus requested my presence at such coffee-serving establishments on a more regular basis, then yes – I do say that I would likely fancy another cup.

Starbucks Jerky Barista Note: I must profess, however, that this visit to America’s premiere coffee destination was not all sugar and spice. When it came time to determine the size of my Pumpkin Spice Latte, I saw fit to make a passing joke about how the naming conventions for their sizes was confusing as all get out (a la “Why can’t you guys just use small, medium, large?” etc, etc…). It quickly became painfully clear that said barista didn’t find my joke in the least bit amusing because apparently they hear that kind of so-called witty banter at Starbucks all the time.

And to that I can only respond, “Well, good!” I know that the guy behind the counter surely doesn’t get a say in what sizes the company puts up there on the menu, but the least you can do is acknowledge that they’re utterly ridiculous! If I opened up a sandwich shop and said, “Nah – we’re not going to do small, medium, and large sandwiches. We need to be unique, so instead we’re going with golf cart, kangaroo, and 14-month-old baby. Which one is the biggest one? I dunno…” – that would make me a jerk and it would serve me right to have customers dish out a bit of mockery in exchange for the mass confusion every now and then!

Final Thoughts: tasty, pumpkin-rich coffee, no matter what size you end up ordering