Learn how to craft the ultimate pumpkin spice latte at home using pumpkin puree, coffee, milk, and cozy fall spices. It’s even better than the store-bought versions!
To make a Pumpkin Spice Latte, you mix hot milk, espresso, and sometimes sugar with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, which are all traditional fall spices. Then you add whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice on top. People usually think of Starbucks when they hear about this drink. They started selling it there in the fall of 2003.[1] Because the flavor is so famous, many different kinds of products come out every season
Starbucks started making the Pumpkin Spice Latte in January 2003, after putting out popular winter drinks like the Peppermint Mocha and the Eggnog Latte. Porter Dukes, head of espresso for Starbucks in the Americas, said, “Developers knew there was something special about the pumpkin flavor, especially since there wasn’t anything around pumpkin at the time.” The company tried different amounts and mixes of pumpkin and spice until they chose a recipe that didn’t have any pumpkin in it.[3]
The last recipe was tried out in Vancouver and Washington, D.C., in the fall of 2003. The drink sold more than the company thought it would. Dukes said, “At first, we couldn’t keep up, so we had to rush inventory to the stores.” The product went on sale in all U.S. Starbucks shops the following year.
How to Make the Best Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home
As soon as autumn arrives, we find ourselves heading to the nearest coffee shop for a pumpkin spice latte. Our love for this seasonal treat inspired us to recreate it at home.
This easy recipe likely uses ingredients you already have in your kitchen, and it comes together in less than 10 minutes!
Ingredients For Pumpkin Spice Latte
Creating your own Pumpkin Spice Latte at home is simple. Here’s a brief overview of the necessary ingredients. Find the complete recipe below.
Milk: Choose from dairy or non-dairy options. Homemade oat milk is a favorite, but coconut or almond milk also work well.
Pumpkin Puree: Use canned puree or make your own with our homemade pumpkin puree recipe. It’s straightforward, and making your own lets you roast pumpkin seeds too!
Sweetener: Pick your preference—regular sugar, brown sugar, simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey.
Vanilla & Pumpkin Pie Spice: A dash of vanilla extract enhances the flavor. Use a store-bought spice blend or try our easy pumpkin pie spice blend.
Hot (or Cold) Coffee: For that rich coffee shop flavor, brew your coffee stronger than usual. You can use hot coffee or cold brew for an iced latte.
Whipped Cream (Optional): Add a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. Here’s how to make whipped cream, or try coconut whipped cream for a non-dairy option.
How to Make
Put sugar, pumpkin puree, and milk in a pot over medium-low heat. Warm it up, but don’t let it boil. Take the pot off the heat and add the coffee, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. This should be mixed in wel
Beat up the mixture and pour it into two mugs. Add whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice on top.
Our Tips for the Perfect Latte
Warm Gently: Heat the milk, pumpkin puree, sweetener, spices, and vanilla extract over medium heat. This gradual heating helps prevent scalding the milk and ensures the sweetener dissolves fully.
Use Strong Coffee: Coffee shops typically use espresso, which is more robust than regular brewed coffee. At home, you can use brewed espresso or make your regular coffee stronger by adding extra grounds.
Enhance Pumpkin Flavor: For a more pronounced pumpkin taste, try reducing the pumpkin puree before mixing it with the milk. Simmer the puree until it reduces by about one-third to intensify the flavor. You can prepare this in advance and refrigerate it for future lattes. Alternatively, use our maple pumpkin butter.
Enjoy making and sipping this delicious homemade pumpkin spice latte!
The Best Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Pumpkin Spice Lattes: Are They Good for You? While everyone has different health and nutrition needs, a PSL does not meet many of them, even though it is named after a fruit.
“Once in a while, a PSL isn’t terrible, but if you drink them all the time, the sugar and calories add up,” says Yawitz, adding that size is also important. “A 16-ounce grande PSL from Starbucks has 390 calories and 50 grams of sugar.”
The American Heart Association says that most men should not have more than 36 grams of added sugar per day, while most women and children over the age of 2 should not have more than 25 grams per day. One PSL has 50 grams of sugar, which is twice the daily suggested amount.
However, some of the things that go into a standard PSL can be good for you:
Coffee with 2% milk can give you calcium, vitamin D, and protein, all of which are good for your bones. Espresso has vitamins and nutrients like niacin and pantothenic acid that come from the coffee itself. Natural spices like cinnamon and ginger add antioxidants and give a PSL its unique taste without the added sugar Women may be able to avoid colorectal cancer by getting more vitamin D. Even though some of the syrups used in PSLs do contain pumpkin, that’s not enough to get all the health benefits of the gourd.
