McDonald's is ushering in the fall season with a new coffee flavor, replacing its widely popular pumpkin spice offering with a caramel apple alternative. This marks the first time in ten years that the fast-food chain has removed pumpkin spice from its seasonal coffee menu.
The new fall coffee lineup features a Caramel Apple Pie Frappe, Hot Caramel Apple Pie Latte, and Iced Caramel Apple Pie Latte. A Caramel Apple Pie Iced Coffee is also available. These drinks combine apple and caramel flavoring, topped with salted caramel whipped cream and apple pie crumbles.
A spokesperson for McDonald's stated that the company is "always exploring new ways to give fans seasonal flavors to enjoy" and chose caramel apple for its "fresh take on the familiar tastes of fall."
Pumpkin spice flavors first gained widespread popularity in the coffee industry with Starbucks' introduction of the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003. McDonald's introduced its own version in 2016. The annual arrival of pumpkin spice beverages has increasingly encroached on the late summer months.
The decision to remove pumpkin spice has generated mixed reactions among customers. Some expressed disappointment and frustration on social media platforms like X, viewing the change as a "betrayal." Conversely, others have welcomed the shift, with some customers who dislike pumpkin spice expressing enthusiasm for the new caramel apple flavor.
