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Pumpkin Spice Latte (Perfect for Winter)

It’s finally the time of year for everyone’s favorite festive beverage – the pumpkin spice latte! 

The pumpkin spice latte is the perfect drink in my opinion; it still gives you the caffeine kick that you need in the morning, but it has that warm kick of spices that reminds us that the most wonderful time of the year is approaching.  Top it with whipped cream and you’ve got this incredible, warming drink that will start your day off on the right note.

Pumpking Spice Latter Recipe

This may be a slightly more indulgent drink for the morning compared to the regular coffee we normally consume year-round, but that’s what this time of year is all about, right?  

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This recipe is also great for making with friends or family over the festive season because the syrup makes a big batch that can be shared out with lots of people – it could even be served as after-dinner coffee or dessert! Alternatively, if you’re making it for yourself, you can store the syrup and use it as you please. 

How Do You Make A Pumpkin Spice Latte From Scratch?

You might think that this drink is reserved for take-out orders, but in fact,  pumpkin spice lattes are one of the easiest drinks to make at home yourself, meaning that you don’t need to run to your local coffee shop to enjoy this seasonal favorite, and you can save a whole lot of money too!  This fall favorite is simply a blend of espresso, steamed milk, and pumpkin spice flavors.

For this recipe, I made my own pumpkin spice syrup from scratch, which I find is the absolute best way to make the most of all of the amazing flavors incorporated into this recipe.  Once you’ve made the syrup in a large batch, all you have to do is add a little into your coffee in the morning and you’re good to go!

Making this recipe from scratch is the only way I have found to encapsulate that perfect pumpkin spice flavor every single time, aside from going to coffee shops of course.  Store-bought options tend to vary a lot from the classic, but following this recipe makes for perfect serve every time without fail!

What Can You Use If You Don’t Have Pumpkin Pie Spice?

Ingredients to make the pumpkin spice syrup. Pumpkin puree, sugar, fresh ginger, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg.
Ingredients to make the pumpkin spice syrup. Pumpkin puree, sugar, fresh ginger, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg.

There is a super simple way that you can make a DIY substitute for the traditional pumpkin pie spice that is used in these lattes. In this recipe, I am going to show you how to make a pumpkin spice syrup that you can easily store in your fridge and use any time you want to make one of these drinks.

The syrup even involved real pumpkin, so you’re sure to get that authentic flavor that you’re looking for.

Can You Get A Pumpkin Spice Latte Without Coffee?

Absolutely – the noncoffee option is a fantastic pumpkin-spiced steamed milk option that really lets the flavor of the spices come through.  This is a great option if you aren’t a big coffee drinker, for a zero-caffeine option late at night, or even for kids who want to enjoy the seasonal flavors too! 

Can Pumpkin Spice Latte Be Made Dairy-free?

Yes – in fact, there are so many excellent milk options available for making coffee these days that a dairy-free option is every bit as good as a dairy one.  I normally opt for plant milk, but from a specific barista range such as Alpro or Oatly, because I feel that they imitate the traditional latte blend the best.

Variations

One of the many fantastic things about the Pumpkin Spice Latte is that you can make it into all kinds of different drinks, depending on your personal preferences or just what you’re feeling like!

Cold-brew 

A cold brew is a highly underrated way of showcasing the different flavors in your coffee drink.  Brew your coffee cold by soaking grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours in the refrigerator.  The ratio of grounds to water should be 1:4.  When it is brewed, strain the coffee and dilute it so the ratio of water to coffee is 2:1 or to your preferred strength.  Add your pumpkin spice syrup, stir well, add milk or cream to taste, and enjoy! 

Iced Latte

For all those iced coffee addicts out there – yes, this recipe can be made into an iced latte.  This is a super easy variation of the traditional pumpkin spice latte; everything stays the same, except for when you whisk your ingredients together in the glass with ice!  You can still top this one with whipped cream, too.

I recommend letting the mix cool slightly by itself before pouring it over ice.

Frappe

Feeling indulgent? Why not make your latte into an iced frappe drink! Simply combine your pumpkin spice syrup and espresso with the milk of your choice and ice in a blender and blend until thick and smooth.  Top with whipped cream and cinnamon and you’ve got yourself the perfect frappe.

Add The Syrup To Irish Coffee 

Check out my Irish coffee recipe for instructions on how to make the perfect drink, but if you want to (literally) spice it up, then try adding 22ml (.75oz) of your pumpkin spice syrup to the brew for a fun twist on an old classic.

How To Make A Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Pumpkin Spice Syrup with pumpkin, cinnamon sticks in the backgroud.
Pumpkin Spice Syrup

This earthy and spicy winter combination is the perfect addition to any drink you’re making, plus it even contains real pumpkin!  This syrup is super easy to make and it tastes incredible.

Using Fresh / Whole Ingredients

For this drink, I decided to use fresh and whole spices and seasoning, rather than using ground spices.  Personally, I felt that using these ingredients means that the drink strained better, so it had a much smoother texture and was more flavorful overall!

The spices I use are cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.

You can, however, use ground spices as well per the instructions below:

Using Ground Spices

Even though I personally prefer to use whole spices and ingredients, I know that this is not always an option for everyone.  Do not fear, the recipe definitely still works with ground spices and it still tastes great!

 To use ground spices in the recipe:

  • Use 1 ½ tbsp ground ginger
  • When substituting cinnamon sticks for ground spices, use ½  teaspoon of ground cinnamon

How Long Can You Keep Pumpkin Spice Syrup?

Once you’ve made your syrup you can store it for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, in a sealed container.  This recipe makes around 14oz (400ml) of syrup, making enough for all of the lattes you could want!

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Yields 14oz (400ml)

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups (350g) Sugar; I use half white sugar and half light brown sugar for this
  • 1.5 cups (350ml) Water
  • 4 cinnamon sticks or 1 tsp. (3g) ground cinnamon
  • 50g (2 tbsp) freshly grated ginger
  • ½ tsp. (1g) ground nutmeg
  • 5 whole cloves
  • ¼ cup (65g) canned pumpkin

Instructions:

  1. Add the sugar and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil
  2. Once the mixture is boiling, turn down the temperature so that the mixture is on a low simmer 
  3. Add the spices and canned pumpkin, let it simmer for 10 minutes
  4. Let the mixture cool for 20 minutes so that the spices infuse with the liquid
  5. Strain the mixture through a nut-milk bag or cheesecloth
  6. Pour the mixture into a sealable bottle; this will allow you to store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and use it as you wish!
Pumpkin Spice Latte with Pumpkin Syrup, cinnamon sticks and pumkin.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

The pumpkin spice latte is a winter classic and for a good reason! The amazing aromas and taste from the spices really remind us that the most wonderful time of the year is approaching!

Ingredients

  • 1 shot (1 oz or 30 ml) of espresso
  • 5.75 oz (170 ml) of the milk of your choice
  • 2 tbsp (0.32 oz or 10 ml) of the pumpkin spice syrup – you can adjust this measurement depending on how much flavor you wish for. Personally, I found this to be the best balance.

Instructions

  1. Heat up the milk on the stove, add 2 tbsp pumpkin spiced syrup to the milk, and whisk.
  2. Pour your espresso into your favorite mug or cup and add your milk/syrup mixture
  3. Whip your cream, add vanilla and cinnamon for extra flavor.
  4. Pipe the cream on top of the coffee
  5. Enjoy with pumpkin pie!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 204Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 121mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 0gSugar: 30gProtein: 6g

I am not a doctor or a dietician. The information I have presented and written within this site is intended for informational purposes only.

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