Starbucks Vs McDonald's: Which Chain's Pumpkin Spice Latte Has The Most Caffeine?

People generally fall into one of two categories when it comes to pumpkin spice lattes. Some folks think it's a fall food trend that should be "drowned in its own blood" (Anthony Bourdain's words, not mine) while others look forward to the comforting seasonal beverage all year long. For the latter group, the extra jolt they provide on those cool fall mornings is almost as appealing as the blend of autumn spices that warm you from the inside. But how much caffeine is sitting in your PSL depends on where you buy it.

Members of Starbucks' secret Leaf Rakers Society likely won't be swayed from ordering pumpkin spice lattes at the Green Mermaid regardless of caffeine content, but many folks who aren't in the club enjoy fueling up on McDonald's version of the seasonal drink. So, which customer is getting more buzz for their buck?

If you're grabbing a small at McDonald's or a short at Starbucks, the Golden Arches PSL wins by a nose with an extra 0.5 milligrams of caffeine (45 milligrams compared to 44.5). A Starbucks tall also has 44.5 milligrams, but a McDonald's medium increases the caffeine to 55 milligrams. So far, McD's is coming out on top.

Not so fast. When you order a large from McDonald's, you're getting 65 milligrams of caffeine. Yet asking for a grande or venti at Starbucks scores you 89.1 milligrams. So if you're feeling thirsty, you'll draw a more significant impact from Starbucks when ordering big, but if you just want a little taste of pumpkin spice, McDonald's offers you a bit more kick in your drink with smaller sizes.

Judging from the staggering number of pumpkin spice lattes Starbucks sells every year, some people must be going back for seconds. But beware: You can have too much of a good thing, and that goes for McDonald's PSL as well. The FDA recommends adults limit their caffeine intake to no more than 400 milligrams daily, so you should be fine even when enjoying multiple pumpkin spice lattes throughout the day. However, the organization also says that caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person. Ultimately, folks have to be mindful about how they feel after ingesting certain amounts of the stimulant to find that sweet spot between fully energized and jittery.

If you're looking for an extra boost of caffeine in your Starbucks pumpkin spice latte (which contains real pumpkin now), all you have to do is order an extra shot of espresso. Doing so will likely alter the flavor of the drink, but you'll get your extra buzz. You can also customize your McDonald's beverage with an extra shot of espresso through its app.

Folks who think the caffeine count on both drinks is too high also have options. Starbucks can substitute the espresso for decaf, ½ decaf, ⅓ decaf, or ⅔ decaf. Unfortunately, McDonald's doesn't offer a decaf substitution for its McCafe beverages. The only way to reduce the caffeine would be to eliminate the espresso shot altogether, which is an ordering option.