Pumpkin Spice on Main: Who has the best PSL?
Working on Main Street has its perks. When the leaves change and the air crisps, we know what that means: fall drinks at our daily drip locations.
And, we took it upon ourselves to visit some of our frequented shops to try out their take of the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte.
We tried every pumpkin inspired beverage at four Main Street coffee shops listed to the left and rated them on a scale of 1-5 of pumpkin strength.
Please note, all lattes except Velo were ordered with a substitute of oat milk in place of whole milk.
Keep on reading to find out who the winner is and plan your next fall beverage outing before the season is over!
Pictured: Pumpkin Spice Latte and Apple Butter Chai Latte
Up First: Mean Mug
Mean Mug announced their fall drinks earlier this season, offering three options to celebrate the changing weather: Pumpkin Spice Latte, Butterscotch Cold Brew, and Caramel Apple Butter Chai Latte. We didn’t try all three, but we sampled the PSL and Chai. While the Chai was a delicious, apple cider forward drink, today we’re here to rate the PSLs on Main.
Made with their house-made pumpkin sauce, this PSL has a very natural, subtle flavor. At first sip, we wondered if we’d gotten the wrong order. With a faint orange hue, it could easily be mistaken for a regular hot latte. This prompted a quick check with the barista, and while we had indeed received a PSL, we learned the menu recipe is made up of just three ingredients: espresso, steamed milk, and pumpkin sauce. This results in a less intense flavor.
Results: 2.8/5 Pumpkins
However, after chatting with the barista, they suggested an add-in of one pump of brown sugar syrup and a dash of vanilla extract. After that, the drink was excellent.
If you’re after a classic Starbucks-style PSL, this might not be your go-to on Main. But if you prefer your usual latte with a subtle seasonal twist, this is perfect. Pro tip: follow the barista’s suggested add-ins for an even better experience!
Pictured: Pumpkin Pie Latte
Next: Niedlovs
Tackling the trend with a unique twist, Niedlov’s titled their rendition of the autumn favorite as “Pumpkin Pie Latte.” A part of their first drop of fall sips this season, barista Christopher made us this classic with an oat milk substitute for whole milk. And let’s just say….love at first sip.
The flavors are complimenting, pumpkin is seeping through for a smooth feel, and with a dash of cinnamon, this drink is elevated to a top tier contender as the favorite of the season. The familiar flavors of the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte come through without overpowering the overall taste of the latte, resulting in a subtle yet warming combination. Made with pumpkin spice simple syrup, the only sweetness comes from the syrup itself, and the dash of cinnamon adds a perfect touch of warmth. This drink was delicious as is, no adjustments necessary.
Results: 4.4/5 Pumpkins
As a long time fan of the award-winning Niedlovs, I had high hopes—and thankfully, they delivered.
Pictured: Schooltown Follies Latte
Up Next: Velo
Velo takes the cake for the most creative fall menu. Inspired by the 2014 animated miniseries acclaimed for its fantastical atmosphere and loveable characters, “Over the Garden Wall,” their autumn drinks spark nostalgia and deliver an elevated taste, per usual to their coffee expertise.
Accompanying Schooltown Follies and Welcome to Pottsfield, the before mentioned inspired drinks, are their classic fall takes: Espresso Cider and Wake Up and Smell the Apples. We tried a few of their offerings, but the one we’ll rate is their pumpkin forward beverage, “Welcome to Pottsfield.”
With a recipe including their Niterider Nitro Cold Brew, this is the only exclusively iced pumpkin beverage on the Main Street docket. Topped with a vanilla cream, “Welcome to Pottsfield” has notes of pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom, a plethora of fall flavors.
While this drink is the most complex and original on the list, it’s lacking in depth when it comes to pumpkin flavor. To quote Gen-Z, it’s not “giving” fall, but it is delicious. And since our rating is on a pumpkin scale, we give Velo….
Results: 3.6 / 5 Pumpkins
Despite the strength of pumpkin flavor, when you combine the quality of the coffee, the shop renovation, and the creativity within the drink itself, Velo is still a favorite.
Pictured: Pumpkin Spice Latte
Lastly: Sleepyhead
Not only is their Main Street location elite with a parking lot, more seating, and even more plants, but the vibes in this location are open and inviting.
With a few seasonal options (we can’t wait to try the seasonal maple brown sugar latte) we tried the Pumpkin Spice Latte on their menu. At first sip, this latte hits all the tastebuds with heavy, yet delightful fall flavor and pumpkin notes. This latte is the sweetest we’ve tried while still not overpowering the latte as a whole. With specks of pumpkin pie spice throughout, this latte is the richest in color and richest in pumpkin flavor.
Overall: 4.5/5 Pumpkins
The votes are in… Sleepyhead is the winner!
In its 5th year, this coffee shop is by far the youngest on the roster, but with their second location and largest social following, they’re leveling up in the Chattanooga coffee game.
After sipping our way through Chattanooga’s fall menus, it’s clear each spot offers something special to the pumpkin spice lover’s palette. From the subtle and sophisticated at Mean Mug to the rich and sweet at Sleepyhead, Chattanooga coffee shops continue to deliver as they elevate fall flavors in their own unique ways.
Whether you’re looking for a hint of spice or a pumpkin-packed punch, there's a seasonal drink waiting to become your new favorite. So grab a friend, hit these spots, and toast to the best of Chattanooga’s autumn brews!