Autumn’s iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte has a surprisingly contested origin. While Starbucks popularized it in 2003, new historical dives by food historian Doug Mack point to alt-rock legend Tori Amos creating a similar “pumpkin pie” flavored coffee concoction back in 1994, years before the mass-market phenomenon.
The arrival of fall is inextricably linked with the warm, spicy embrace of the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL). This beloved beverage, a harmonious blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves with coffee and steamed milk, has become a cherished annual ritual for millions since its widespread popularization in the early 2000s. But what if the origin story we all know isn’t the complete picture? A fascinating theory suggests that the true genesis of this autumnal icon might lie in the creative mind of a 90s alternative rock legend, Tori Amos.
The Starbucks Legacy: Two Decades of PSL Phenomenon
For most, the story of the Pumpkin Spice Latte begins with Starbucks. The coffee giant officially introduced the drink in 2003, and its immediate success forever changed the landscape of seasonal beverages. The development was led by Peter Dukes, then head of the Starbucks espresso beverage team. His team famously experimented by taking bites of pumpkin pie followed by sips of espresso, meticulously teasing out complementary flavors.
This culinary exploration eventually led to a pumpkin pie sauce seasoned with cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, which was then combined with espresso, steamed milk, and a dollop of whipped cream. While names like “Fall Harvest Latte” were considered, the team ultimately settled on “Pumpkin Spice Latte,” birthing a legend.
Since its debut, the Starbucks PSL has undergone minor evolutions, including the addition of real pumpkin puree to the sauce in 2015. The brand expanded its reach with products like PSL creamer in 2019, allowing fans to enjoy the taste at home. In 2023, Starbucks celebrated the PSL’s 20th anniversary, cementing its status as an unofficial beverage of autumn, as reported by Starbucks Stories & News.
A 90s Revelation: Tori Amos and the “Witch Warmer”
However, a new investigation by writer and food historian Doug Mack suggests a fascinating twist in the PSL’s origin story. Mack’s extensive research, documented in his Snack Stack newsletter, uncovered a 1994 interview with Tori Amos in the Seattle alt-weekly, The Rocket. In this interview, Amos discussed her own beverage creation:
“You have all your Starbucks things,” she says. “Well, I have one that tastes like pumpkin pie. It’s my own invention; it’s my contribution to Halloween. A little witch warmer!”
This quote, from a period nearly a decade before Starbucks’ official launch, provides compelling evidence that Amos may have indeed crafted the first known pumpkin spice latte. Her description, a “witch warmer” tasting like pumpkin pie, strongly aligns with the core essence of the modern PSL.
The Broader Context of Spice Lattes and Seattle’s Coffee Culture
Mack’s research further contextualizes this discovery, noting that pumpkin spice itself has a longer history than many realize. Small, regional coffee shops were already selling various spice lattes a decade before Starbucks introduced its version in 2003. These early spiced coffees often drew on familiar baking traditions like gingerbread, banana bread, and pumpkin pie, or classic holiday tastes such as eggnog or peppermint. They resonated with consumers by tapping into a sense of nostalgia and celebration.
Tori Amos’s rise to fame in the 1990s coincided with a pivotal era when Seattle was a global cultural hub, particularly for music and coffee. The success of grunge bands like Nirvana put a spotlight on the Pacific Northwest, a region synonymous with its distinctive coffee culture, flannel shirts, and unique sensibilities. It was within this vibrant environment that Amos, known for her emotionally charged music from albums like 1992’s Little Earthquakes and 1994’s Under The Pink (featuring hits like “Cornflake Girl”), developed her “witch warmer.”
The Enduring Mystery: Who Brewed it First?
While Doug Mack acknowledges the skeptical voice within him, he ultimately feels “fairly confident” that Tori Amos created the first known Pumpkin Spice Latte. Efforts to reach Amos’s team for confirmation have been unsuccessful, perhaps due to her busy schedule.
Currently, Amos, now 62, is preparing for the release of her new album, In Times of Dragons, set for spring 2026. She describes the album as a “metaphorical story about the fight for Democracy over tyranny” and has also announced an accompanying tour. Her ongoing artistic endeavors might explain her silence on the “witch warmer” debate.
Ultimately, whether the first Pumpkin Spice Latte emerged from a Starbucks lab in 2003 or a 90s alt-rock icon’s kitchen in 1994, its cultural impact is undeniable. The beverage has transcended its origins to become a cherished symbol of autumn, continually evolving while retaining its comforting, nostalgic appeal.
