Celebrate the start of fall with the most iconic seasonal coffee drink — the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Made with just a handle of simple ingredients, you can enjoy your own pumpkin spice lattes at home whenever you'd like and for way less.
The second the weather starts to change (and sometimes before then), Starbucks releases its pumpkin spice latte. This cozy drink has the perfect blend of hot espresso, real pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice syrup, and creamy milk. It's easy to replicate the Starbucks experience at home with this simple homemade version. Even better, you'll be able to store your pumpkin spice syrup in the fridge to enjoy this seasonal drink any time you'd like!
Why You'll Love This Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
- Made with high quality ingredients. As much as we love the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, it's really high in sugar and uses dyes, preservatives, and stabilizers to get the perfect texture. This homemade version is made with the highest quality ingredients; no stabilizers or dyes necessary. Plus, it is made with real pumpkin!
- So convenient. When you have the pumpkin spice mixture in your fridge, you can make your own lattes anytime. It's also so much cheaper than running to the coffee shop every day!
- Easy to customize. Prefer oat milk? That's easy. Want to use homemade pumpkin puree? No problem. Like a specific roast or coffee brewing method? You can customize this homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe to suit your preferences.
- Great hot or iced. This pumpkin mixture tastes just as great in an iced pumpkin spice latte as in a hot one! It's seriously versatile and a must for pumpkin lovers this pumpkin spice season.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious pumpkin spice latte, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- milk - choose your milk of choice, including regular dairy or non-dairy such as oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.
- pumpkin purée - choose either canned puree or make your own.
- pumpkin pie spice - this is where the spice flavor comes from, so be sure to use your pumpkin spice mix. Add an extra sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice on top as a garnish!
- sugar - this adds a little sweetness to really highlight the pumpkin flavor. For extra richness, feel free to use brown sugar. You can also substitute with honey, maple syrup, or agave.
- vanilla extract - this plays up the sweet, spiced flavors in the best way.
- coffee or espresso - you can use any type of coffee. If you have an espresso machine, you'll need 1-2 shots, or you can make strong coffee using your favorite brewing method.
- whipped cream - add a little whipped cream on top as an optional garnish.
You will also need a medium saucepan, whisk, and an airtight container.
How to Make the Best Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Heat ingredients. In a medium saucepan, add milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk well and heat over medium heat until warm, about 2 minutes.
- Add coffee. Divide the mixture into two cups and top each with ¼ cup coffee. Stir well.
- Serve. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra pumpkin pie spice, if desired.
Recipe Variations
- Make an iced coffee. If you like your PSL chilled, use cold brew coffee or chilled espresso and let the pumpkin spice mixture cool in the fridge before serving over ice.
- Sweeten naturally. Trying to reduce your sugar intake? Add pure maple syrup to taste instead.
- Serve a kid-friendly drink. If your kid loves PSLs and you don't want them to have caffeine, warm the milk mixture for a refreshing fall drink.
How to Serve
This Pumpkin Spice Latte is delicious served on its own, or paired with some of my favorite fall treats including:
- Pumpkin Bread
- Mini Glazed Pumpkin Scones
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Energy Bites
- Mini Pumpkin Pies
For more dessert inspiration, see our 50 Best Fall Desserts.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Heat the milk with the spices. Some recipes call for making a sugary syrup and then adding it to your milk or milk alternative right before serving. We actually don't recommend that because adding the milk with the pumpkin puree and fall spices allows those flavors to infuse into every drop. It's so much better!
- Use strong coffee. Since you only add ¼ cup of hot coffee or espresso per serving, you want it to be strong enough to taste.
- Don't use pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling is already sweetened and has spices, so you would need to adjust this recipe quite a bit to use it.
- Froth the milk. For a really creamy treat, use a milk frother or steam wand to take your DIY pumpkin spice latte to the next level.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
After making your pumpkin spice mixture, store it in the fridge for 4-5 days in a large glass jar or sealed jug.
How to Reheat
Warm your milk mixture in a small saucepan or use a frother or steam wand. Pour the mixture over the hot coffee in your mug, stir, and top with whipped cream and extra pumpkin pie spice.
How to Freeze
Make a double batch of this recipe and freeze the extra milk mixture for later in a freezer-safe container. Let the mixture thaw in the fridge for several hours before reheating. Dairy milk does not thaw as well as non-dairy milk, so you may want to choose coconut milk or cashew milk.
FAQ
It's really simple to make your own pumpkin lattes at home. You'll need coffee or espresso, any kind of milk, pumpkin puree, spices, vanilla extract, and sugar. To make your drink more exciting, top it off with some whipped cream, extra pumpkin spice, or a whole cinnamon stick!
The grande-size latte usually contains 2 shots of espresso, which is approximately 120 mg of caffeine. For larger servings, you may want 3 espresso shots.
Although the ingredient list has changed over the years, Starbuck's PSL contains a mixture of milk, pumpkin spice sauce (made from sugar, condensed milk, pumpkin puree, flavors, and other ingredients), espresso, whipped cream, vanilla syrup, and pumpkin spice topping. Unlike homemade recipes, the Starbucks version contains different colors, natural flavors, stabilizers, and preservatives to ensure a consistent, stable product at all their stores. Make this copycat recipe to enjoy the real thing in your own kitchen without the long lines or additives.
More Hot Drink Recipes
- Chai Tea Latte
- Matcha Latte
- White Hot Chocolate
- Golden Milk Turmeric Latte
- Slow Cooker Apple Cider
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate
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Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the start of fall with the most iconic seasonal coffee drink — the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Made with just a handle of simple ingredients, you can enjoy your own pumpkin spice lattes at home whenever you'd like and for way less.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup strong hot coffee or espresso
- whipped cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk well and heat over medium heat until warm, about 2 minutes.
- Divide the mixture into two cups and top each with ¼ cup coffee. Stir well.
- Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra pumpkin pie spice, if desired.
Notes
How to store: After making your pumpkin spice mixture, store it in the fridge for 4-5 days in a large glass jar or sealed jug.
How to reheat: Warm your milk mixture in a small saucepan or use a frother or steam wand. Pour the mixture over the hot coffee in your mug, stir, and top with whipped cream and extra pumpkin pie spice.
How to freeze: Make a double batch of this recipe and freeze the extra milk mixture for later in a freezer-safe container. Let the mixture thaw in the fridge for several hours before reheating. Dairy milk does not thaw as well as non-dairy milk, so you may want to choose coconut milk or cashew milk.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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