As the nights get colder and darker and the sound of jingle bells ring faint in the distance, coffee shops across the UK have launched their autumnal menus so customers can enjoy American-style hot drinks in the run up to Halloween.
Coffee lovers went wild when Starbucks introduced their seasonal menu earlier this month, including their signature Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Now, Costa, Greggs and Pret have followed suit with their own autumnal blends.
But, for all the joy it brings, the Instgrammable seasonal latte could wreak havoc on any healthy eating intentions you may have, with some versions coming in at 581 calories with more than 60g of sugar, which is twice the 30g daily recommended sugar allowance for an adult and a quarter of the calories.
The most sugary creation is Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Coffee Frappuccino with 66.2g sugar – more than twice the daily recommended amount – while the Costa Gingerbread Latte and Cream contains the least with 14.4g sugar.
Here, FEMAIL takes a look at all the autumnal drinks on offer at Starbucks, Costa, Greggs and Pret to reveal which ones are the most indulgent…
STARBUCKS
Stabucks’ Pumpkin Spice Coffee Frappuccino (left) made with skimmed milk has 64.4g in a Venti (591ml) cup – more than twice the daily recommendations of 30g of free sugar. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (left, venti, made with o at milk) has 55g of sugar and 581 calories
Perhaps unsurprising for an American chain, Starbucks lattes are among the most sugary on the autumn menu of coffee shop chains operating in the UK.
Their famous beverage is made with a combination of their espresso roast, a pumpkin pie flavoured sauce and steamed milk, this is topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices which include cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
Last year, their cold brew macchiato was the most sugary on the list, with their venti cup containing 73.4g, but the drink has been dropped off this year’s menu.
Now, their most sugary is the Pumpkin Spice Coffee Frappuccino made with skimmed milk, which has 64.4g in a 591ml cup.
The drink also contains more calories than some meals at 387 calories and that’s before any whipped cream is added.
Their largest hot drink is made with whipped cream, oat milk and five shots of pumpkin spice syrup. It comes in at a whopping 581 calories – more than a quarter of the 2,000 recommend a day for adults.
COSTA
The Irish Velvet has nearly the total daily allowance with 25.6g and 356 calories (left) while the hot chocolate equivalent (right) has 443 calories and 36.3g of sugar.
Costa fans were left disappointed when the chain revealed they weren’t bringing back the Bonfire Spiced Latte this year – which is their take on Starbucks’ popular pumpkin treat.
Instead, they’ve brought forward some of their festive treats, with the Gingerbread Latte and Cream and Irish Velvet Latte gracing the menu earlier this year.
However, the Gingerbrad Latte has 14.4g of sugar in while the Irish Velvet has nearly the total daily recommended intake with 25.6g.
Also available at Costa is the Cinnamon Spiced Cappuccino which has 211 calories and 23.2g of sugar, while their seasonal hot chocolates both have more than 30g of sugar in.
Their Black Forest hot chocolate in a medium size (the largest on offer) is 432 calories and has 31.4g of sugar, while the Irish Velvet Hot Chocolate has 443 calories and 36.3g of sugar.
The number of festive drinks available at Costa means it holds 5 of the 10 places on the list – the most of any coffee chain.
GREGGS
Greggs take on the PSL is also less calorific than Starbucks at 228 calories a cup. But one hot drink contains nearly all a person’s daily sugar at 28g.
The latte is made with a sweet pumpkin spice syrup, and is topped with cream and spiced sugar sprinkles for a warm autumnal taste.
Greggs take on the PSL is also less calorific than Starbucks at 228 calories a cup. But one hot drink contains nearly all a person’s daily sugar at 28g
PRET A MANGER
Pret’s Pumpkin Spice Latte is one of the healthiest of the bunch
Pret’s Pumpkin Spice Latte is one of the healthiest of the bunch, but it still has two thirds of the daily sugar intake for an adult.
The 330g drink has 167 calories and 22.4g of sugar.
For those hoping to cut back on the calories and sugar, they can ask for the drinks with alternative milks, such as almond milk which is lower in fat.
Asking for less syrup and holding the whipped cream is another way to make the beverage lower in calories, sugar, and fat.