As a heat wave bears down on parts of the country, what could be better than wrapping your sweaty palms around a steaming pumpkin-flavored latte?

If that is not your idea of summer fun, take it up with the c offee and doughnut chain that now goes by the name Dunkin’, which announced on Monday that it was “stepping up the seasonal celebration” by offering its fall spread almost a week earlier than last year .

Eight Dunkin’ stores will be temporarily rebranded as “Pumpkin” on Wednesday. They will serve free pumpkin-flavored beverages and “ Munchkins lip balm ” with a pumpkin scent. Yes, you read that right .

Two new products will also be on offer: apple cider doughnuts and a signature pumpkin-flavored latte with cinnamon and sugar, clearly intended as a rival to Starbucks’s popular Pumpkin Spice Latte, which may also be arriving earlier than in the past. A latte war is brewing.