The Pumpkin Spice Latte is an autumnal staple – but I’ve found a way to enjoy them for less than £1.60 per serving
Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back at Starbucks, and I’ve already had two this week(Image: Reach plc)
September brings many things to get excited about – cosy nights on the sofa with the return of Great British Bake Off and Strictly, chunky cardigans, and hearty comfort food from the slow cooker. But one thing that excites autumn fans above all others is the return of Starbucks’ legendary PSL – the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
As tempting as it is to pop in for a treat when passing, the cost can quickly mount up at upwards for £5.80 per cup. Even enjoying just two Grande (medium) servings per week could set coffee lovers back more than £150 over autumn.
But I’ve discovered a way to recreate that autumnal joy at home for less than £1.60 per serving. As well as its in-store offering, Starbucks sells its most popular concoctions in the form of pods – and the Pumpkin Spice Latte is no exception.
Available at £26 for 60 Nespresso pods on Amazon, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Flavoured Coffee by Nespresso promises ‘creamy and spicy flavours’. The pods contain a Starbucks Dark Roast made using 100% Arabica coffee beans.
For shoppers who already have a Nespresso machine at home, this method works out at just 43p per serving of pumpkin spice goodness. Though it is important to bear in mind that the Nespresso pods only product the espresso shot and flavouring, and do not contain milk powder, so users will need to steam their milk of choice to give it the finishing touch.
Buy The HOMCOM 19 Bar Pod Coffee Machine
The HOMCOM 19 Bar Pod Coffee Machine is £12 off at Yimbly with discount code AUTUMN10
Nespresso machines can be snapped up relatively cheap these days, and can be a sound investment for coffee lovers craving a fresh brew in the mornings. The HOMCOM 19 Bar Pod Coffee Machine, which is compatible with both Nespresso and Dolce Gusto pods, as well as ground coffee, is currently on offer at Yimbly, an online marketplace owned by this site’s parent company, Reach plc.
Reduced from £82.99 to £78.84, shoppers can boost the savings even further by using discount code AUTUMN10, bringing the total down to £70.96. With 1450w power, 19 bar high-pressure extraction, and a quick 17-second preheat, coffee lovers are promised “rich, aromatic coffee in no time”.
The 0.6l removable water tank and drip tray are designed to make refilling and cleaning easy, while narrow footprint of the machine mean it won’t monopolise too much precious counter space.
For shoppers looking for a coffee machine with a built-in milk frother, the Nespresso Lattissima One by De’longhi Pod Machine, while pricey at £260, boasts one-touch technology to make smooth cappuccions at the press of a button. This model gets a reliable 4.5 out of 5 stars from 73 reviews on Argos.
There are currently only two reviews of this HOMCOM coffee machine online, with an average 5-star rating overall. One shopper praised the machine’s clever ability to use multiple pod sizes, writing: “I have never seen a coffee machine with different pod sizes and able to take ground coffee too. It is easy to change the dispenser size and easy to keep clean. It does make a noise, but they all do. And make sure the mug/cup is secure, as it can move around with the machine vibration.”
Another added: “Great to be able to use all different coffees. Love all the little attachments to be able to do that. Neat and compact.”
A similar HOMCOM model on Amazon enjoys a 4.2 out of 5-star rating, with shoppers praising its value for money and versatility. One shopper did flag a couple of drawbacks, though.
“There is a short space between the drip tray and the spout, which means that the mugs which I used with my old machine are too tall to use, even though they are not huge mugs,” they wrote, adding: “The lid of the water tank is not hinged, but needs to be removed completely to fill the tank; I fear the lugs either side will eventually break off, rendering the lid useless. On the plus side, there is a short buzz when the machine has finished dispensing coffee, which, although very quiet, is useful to have.”
Another simply wrote: “Very good value and great coffee making in 3 different ways – recommended 10/10.”
