Pumpkin Spice Latte

Make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte right at home whenever you want! An amazing blend of pumpkin pie spices meet rich espresso and frothy milk. Pour yourself a steaming cup of fall and indulge yourself all season long!

This cozy latte pairs perfectly with Cranberry Orange Scones, Apple Muffins, or Sweet Potato Biscuits topped with a little honey butter!

Save time and money by skipping the daily stop at the coffee shop. You can make your own coffeehouse favorites from the comfort of your own kitchen. Pumpkin Spice Latte season is right around the corner but for some of us, it just can’t come soon enough!

With this quick and easy recipe you can say goodbye to summer, slip into your favorite sweater, and sip your way to autumnal bliss. Oh, and yes – this recipe isn’t just more delicious than most lattes you’ll get in coffee shops, it’s also more affordable! 

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Nothing quite says fall like that first sip of a piping hot pumpkin spice latte. Pumpkin is one of my absolute favorite flavors on this planet. If it’s pumpkin flavored, I want it! Pumpkin donuts, scones, bread, I’ll take it all.

While the PSL season does come earlier and earlier each year, I still don’t want to wait for some chain to decide when I can get my favorite latte. I want my pumpkin, and I want it now! With this quick and easy little latte recipe, I can stock up on flavored simple syrup and make my Pumpkin Spice Latte at my own cozy convenience. 

Make an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte to cool off! Add all of your ingredients to a glass jar or heat safe container with a lid. Add ice and shake vigorously until all ingredients are combined. Enjoy your Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte when it’s still warm outside but the PSL cravings are in full force.

More Pumpkin Recipes To Enjoy

Tis (just about!) the season for all things pumpkin and I for one CANNOT wait! Here are some of our favorites:

1. Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
2. Pumpkin Pancakes
3. Easy Pumpkin Brownies
4. Pumpkin Lasagna – Easy No Bake Pumpkin Dessert
5. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Ingredients Needed

With just a few key ingredients, you’ll have a Pumpkin Spice Latte at home that will rival any coffee chain. I’m giving lots of alternative options below so keep scrolling for variations to consider. As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:

• steamed milk – Use the milk of your choice. It can be dairy or plant based. 
• espresso – for rich flavor, you’ll want real espresso. Obviously, if you have an espresso or even a Nespresso machine, you can achieve the best results at home. But using a bold, dark roast in a French press is your next best option. If none of these are an option, you can use instant espresso or the darkest, boldest coffee you have.
• pumpkin pie Torani syrup – if you can’t find this or prefer to make your own, you will need one ounce of simple syrup mixed with a quarter teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice extract can be used.
• pumpkin pie spice – For that extra special touch on top. You can buy it or make my homemade pumpkin pie spice.
• whipped cream – Optional topping, but highly recommended for obvious reasons! 

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Latte

Less than five minutes to make, and you don’t have to wait in line or get out of your pajamas. Score!

1. Add the pumpkin pie syrup and prepared espresso to a 12 ounce coffee mug or heatproof cup. (Use clear glass to see the impressive layers!)
2. Steam and froth the milk and pour into a separate mug. Use the back of a spoon to hold back the frothed milk, then spoon milk froth onto the top of the coffee drink.
3. To finish it off, top the PSL with fresh whipped cream and a generous dusting of pumpkin pie spice.
4. Relax, turn on a Halloween movie, and enjoy!

Syrups and Flavorings

You’ll notice that I opted for a syrup for this Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe because I believe it gives the best and most consistent results. There are definitely other methods to make a PSL though and I wanted to share a few of those with you in case you’d like to try something different.

Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe Copycat. For an even more authentic copycat to Starbuck’s PSL, you can use Torani Pumpkin Sauce which is very similar in texture, consistency and flavor to what Starbuck’s uses and incorporates will into the latte. 

Simple Syrup Option. If you can’t find the pumpkin pie Torani syrup, use 1 ounce of simple syrup mixed with ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice extract instead.

More Pumpkin Flavor. For more pumpkin flavor, add ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie flavor extract to 1 ounce of the Pumpkin Pie Syrup.

The Pumpkin Syrup that Starbucks uses is actually more sauce-like in consistency. It’s made with sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin puree and sugar and although delicious, it makes homemade lattes have a kind of grainy texture. It’s also not shelf stable which is a bummer. Since Starbucks uses Torani syrups for most of their flavors, the Pumpkin Pie Torani Syrup makes homemade pumpkin spice latte making a reality with really minimal effort. So delicious! If you still really want to try a sauce option, the Torani Pumpkin Sauce is a terrific choice.

Espresso Options

Since Espresso is the base for this latte and considering that we aren’t all rocking our own espresso machines at home, I wanted to give you guys some other options.

Espresso or Nespresso Machine

Quickest, easiest, and best flavored espresso so if you have one, use it.

French Press

Use a bold, dark roast in a French press for the next best flavor. You can also use the French press to froth the milk (see below.)

Instant Espresso

Instant espresso won’t have quite the same flavor as freshly brewed espresso but will work in a pinch. Using fresh brewed coffee will result in a weaker flavor so make sure to use a bold roast if you go that route.

Three Ways To Froth Milk for Lattes

Espresso Machine Method

If you happen to have an espresso machine (lucky you!) if likely has a built in steamer and you can use that to steam your milk. (You can use a beverage thermometer to check the temperature of your milk, it should be about 160°F to froth.) Next you’ll fill a frothing pitcher with the steamed milk and use the steaming wand to steam the milk for 30 to 45 seconds. Finally, bring the wand so that it is just under the surface of the milk and continue steaming until you see the froth build to your liking.

Stovetop Method

No espresso machine? No problem. Gently heat the milk on the stovetop in a small, heavy bottomed saucepan until it reaches 155°F to 160°F being careful to not let the milk come to a simmer or a boil. Next, use a handheld frother to froth the milk or you can pour the hot milk into a clean French press and pump until the milk is frothy (this is actually my favorite method.)

Mason Jar Method

Pour the milk to a mason jar, put on a lid, and shake shake shake until bubbly. Remove the lid if metal, and place in the microwave. Cook at 50% power in 30 second intervals until the foam rises to the top (you’ll be able to see this happening) and the milk reaches your desired temperature. Be careful to not let the milk bubble over in your microwave.

Pumpkin Spice Latte FAQs

Will this taste like a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte? If you’re wanting a copycat version of the Starbucks Pumpkin Syrup, theirs is more like a sauce than a syrup. Theirs is made with sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and pumpkin puree. This gives the latte a thicker texture and I have yet to make a version that blends as well at home. Plus, the pureed version isn’t able to be kept, so if you’re only making a single serving, it will just go to waste. Starbucks uses Torani syrup for their other latte flavors anyway. I think their pumpkin spice flavor is a great substitution!

Can I make an iced Pumpkin Spiced Latte? You sure can, and it’s pretty easy to do! Add all of your ingredients to a glass jar or container (or a heat safe container) rather than a mug. Add ice and shake vigorously until all ingredients are properly combined. Now you can enjoy an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte in case your corner of the world doesn’t bring cooler weather once Fall gets in full swing. 

Can I make this dairy free? Absolutely! Simply switch out the steamed milk for a dairy free option such as almond or oat milk. Instead of traditional whipped cream, you can skip that step altogether or substitute it for a dairy free alternative. 

Variations and Tips

• I think this works best with whole milk to get that really rich flavor. However, feel free to substitute skim milk, almond milk, soy milk, or even coconut milk in this recipe.
• If you want even more pumpkin flavor, you can add ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie flavor extract to the syrup before adding in the espresso. 
• Add some cocoa powder for a touch of chocolate in your pumpkin latte!
• This recipe works for other latte flavors as well. Just use the same steps and switch up the flavor of your simple syrup.

Tools and Ingredients You May Need

• Frothing Pitcher
• Frothing Wand
• Beverage Thermometer
• French Press
• Pumpkin Pie Torani Syrup
• Pumpkin Pie Spice Extract

More Cozy Drinks For Fall

1. Espresso Martini
2. White Chocolate Snickerdoodle Latte
3. Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
4. Slow Cooker Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
5. Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

How To Make A Pumpkin Spice Latte