Starbucks One-ups Dunkin’ With "Leaked" Fall Menu Predictions, Despite Higher Price Tag

The end of summer means the beginning of pumpkin spice latte season, and Dunkin' is dropping its seasonal menu for autumn on Aug. 28, according to social media leaks. Of course, the ever-popular Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte will return, but that's not all the fall menu offers. 

While plenty of Dunkin' lovers are excited about the menu, some are eyeing it in comparison to the leaked Starbucks menu that is alleged to be dropping on August 22. While still unofficial, coffee enthusiasts are already going wild in anticipation. 

Whether you prefer Dunkin' or Starbucks, you'll want to start preparing to stretch your restaurant budget now to indulge in the new fall flavors. See the fall flavors coming to menus soon. 

The classic and beloved PSL is returning, as it has every year since 2007, but there are also new presumed additions to the autumn drink menu this year. 

The Dunkalatte blends espresso and coffee milk made from Dunkin' coffee extract. Coffee milk is a New England beverage similar to chocolate milk, except it's made with coffee syrup instead of chocolate syrup. 

Almond Spice is made with almond milk and blends the pumpkin swirl coffee with toasted almond flavoring for a nuttier take on the classic pumpkin coffee. 

A new Halloween special drink will also allegedly be available on Oct. 16: the Potion Macchiato. This brand-new drink has the flavors of espresso, marshmallow, and ube swirled together to create a purple-colored drink for the spooky season.

The beverages are available as either hot or iced, to your preference. 

Starbucks hasn't officially announced its fall seasonal menu yet, but a very convincing social media leak has enthusiasts drooling in anticipation. 

Obviously, we can't have a fall without PSL — that's a given at this point — but there are other returning favorites, including the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Apple Crisp Macchiato Oatmilk, and Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Shaken Espresso.  

The Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai is also returning, but now there are rumors there will be a new dairy-free companion flavor! The non-dairy Iced Apple Crisp Cream Chai is new to the menu and sounds heavenly.

There will also (allegedly) be two more new drinks released on a staggered drop on Sept. 19, offering customers an Iced Pecan Crunch Oat Milk Latte and a Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam.

Coffee isn't the only reason to be excited for fall flavors, as Dunkin' is supposedly dropping some delicious new foods to the seasonal menu. Aug. 28 will bring the delectable dining options of: 

• Loaded Hash Browns
  
• Pumpkin Donut and Munchkins
  
• Pumpkin Muffins
  
• Apple Cider Donuts (available until Oct. 15)
  
• Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
  
• Maple Sugar Seasoned Bacon
  

Dunkin' is also bringing back the Spider Donut, but that won't hit menus until closer to Halloween — Oct. 16, to be precise. 

Starbucks is bringing back its popular pumpkin cream cheese muffins and baked apple croissants, but it is also adding two brand new items: a vanilla-flavored Raccoon Cake Pop and a Mummy Cookie. 

America may run on Dunkin' but it's treating itself with Starbucks. The Starbucks drink menu for fall seems focused on the sort of special beverage you treat yourself with on a rough day, while the Dunkin' menu seems a bit half-hearted. 

What Dunkin' lacks in treat-yourself luxury beverages, it makes up for with the fall food menu. Starbucks used visual themes for its two new food menu items, while Dunkin' used various classic fall flavors that expanded past pumpkin spice. 

The menus aren't official yet, though, so keep an eye out for the actual announcements. In the meantime, if the thought of spending money on fancy coffee leaves you cringing at the expense, then take a look at some options to help you get ahead financially so you can enjoy the occasional coffee-to-go treat.