The ubiquitous Pumpkin Spice Latte has gained quite a cult following over the past few years. At TTR, we love a PSL, and we have been known to enjoy them even before the return of fall.
Each year, the moment the first leaves start to turn, the internet once again becomes obsessed with this moreish drink.
It's our favorite autumnal beverage for a reason, and pretty much as soon as we near September, it’s time to get excited for all the pumpkin spice lattes.
First developed by Starbucks in the early noughties, it’s become a seasonal favorite in coffee shops far and wide.
Read on to discover how to make the best pumpkin spice latte.
Tools
- Espresso maker – this could be a Pod machine, espresso machine, portable espresso machine, or Stovetop espresso maker
- Coffee grinder (if required)
- Mug
- Jug
- Saucepan
- Cheesecloth or fine sieve
- Food processor (optional)
Ingredients
- Coffee beans, pods, or grounds
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ginger
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 small pumpkin (optional)
If you love pumpkin spice as much as we do, why not try making a pumpkin spice latte at home? All you need are the classic pumpkin pie spices — cinnamon, ginger, and cloves — or a pre-mixed spice, an espresso machine, pumpkin puree, and a sweetener of your choice.
Our recipe works just as well with decaffeinated espresso, so the caffeine-intolerant can enjoy it, too. No machine? Just take a look at our star line-up of the best espresso machines.
You can easily make this with ground coffee in a French press as well if you don't have an espresso machine.
Whether or not you add pumpkin puree to your hot beverage is a matter of personal taste. Some people love the extra velvety thickness and pumpkin pie vibes, while others prefer a more classic, milky consistency. The best thing about making a Pumpkin Spice Latte at home is that you are in control of what goes into yours.
You can choose your milk; whether dairy or plant-based, there are so many options. We love unsweetened barista oat milk for an indulgent creamy experience.
Why not experiment with different sweeteners as well; for instance, maple syrup in place of cane sugar gives a smoky depth and aroma, which feels so warm and comforting for fall.
If you're diabetic or watching your sugar intake, sweeten with stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit in place of regular sugar. Be sure to check that any low-calorie sweetener is a suitable option for you if you haven't used it before, as some can be highly fibrous and cause gut sensitivities.
This simple step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about making a Pumpkin Spice Latte to rival your favorite coffee shop, all within the comfort of your own home, as well as the tools and ingredients you’ll need, plus a few tips to help ensure success. Let Pumpkin season begin!
How to make a Pumpkin Spice Latte: quick steps
- Make pumpkin puree (optional) or use a can of unsweetened pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
- Make pumpkin spice syrup (with or without the puree)
- Make an espresso – one or two shots
- Combine syrup, puree, and espresso
- Make and pour over hot milk and stir
- Add whipped cream and pumpkin spices
How to make a Pumpkin Spice Latte: Step by step guide
1. Make pumpkin puree (optional)
You don’t have to include pumpkin puree, but it will intensify the pumpkin flavoring and make the drink much thicker. It will be more filling, too. You can usually buy canned puree at this time of year, but making your own couldn’t be easier.
You cut a small pumpkin in half, lay it on a baking sheet cut-side-down, and roast for around 40-50 minutes at 356F. Don’t add any oil. Once cooled, scoop out the flesh and blitz in a food processor. It will be stored in the fridge for a week or in the freezer for up to three months.
- Tip: We used a mini food processor to reduce washing up.
2. Make pumpkin spice syrup
To make pumpkin spice syrup, put the sugar and water into a saucepan, boil, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Next, add the remaining ingredients – cloves, cinnamon sticks, ginger, nutmeg, and pumpkin puree (if using) – and reduce to a low heat.
If you're using maple syrup, or another sweetener, simply add, as you would the sugar.
Simmer for at least 20 minutes. You’re aiming for a thick consistency (similar to maple syrup). If you’re not using puree, it may take longer to thicken, so just keep simmering.
Remove from the heat and strain through a cheesecloth or fine sieve immediately. This recipe should make enough syrup for at least six servings of Pumpkin Spice Latte; double up or halve the ingredients according to requirements.
- Tip: The syrup will keep for up to two weeks if stored in a sterile, airtight container or jar in the fridge, so go ahead and double up!
3. Make an espresso
We made this Pumpkin Spice Latte using the Breville Barista Express Impress because it has a built-in milk frother, but you can also use a pod-style or stove-top machine and froth the milk using a handheld milk frother (like this one from Amazon).
Once you have decided how you will make your espresso, decide how many shots you will take. We think one shot works best, but if you need caffeine to get your day up and grooving; two shots are cool. You may need to select a tall mug to accommodate the extra volume, though.
- Tip: Although this recipe's espresso flavor shouldn’t overpower, you’ll get stronger coffee notes if you seek out espresso beans rated 4 or above for intensity.
- Tip: If you put the espresso in first and then add cold water, you’ll get less crema on top. Crema fans should always start with the water.
4. Combine syrup and espresso
Next, add 1-2 tbsp of your homemade pumpkin spice syrup to a mug, pour over the espresso, and mix. The amount of syrup you use really depends on how sweet you like your coffee—it is a very sugary mix, so we recommend starting with one tbsp and adding more once you’ve tasted it.
5. Steam some milk and stir in
Ideally, the milk should be good and frothy, as it would be for a regular latte. Pour around 100ml of milk into a steel jug and use your steam wand to heat and froth. You can use dairy milk or any milk substitute of your choice.
Inserting the steam tip 1-2cm beneath the surface of the milk, with the jug held at an angle, will help create the vortex needed to heat the milk evenly. The milk is at the ideal temperature of 140-149F when the exterior of the jug is too hot to comfortably touch but not boiling.
Pour the steamed milk into your mug and stir it well.
- Tip: Towards the end of steaming, bring the steam wand closer to the surface to introduce small pockets of air, which will help texturize the milk. Aim for foamy but not boiling.
6. Add whipped cream and pumpkin spices
Finally, add a generous swirl of whipped cream – we used a can of dairy cream – and sprinkle with pumpkin spices or cocoa powder to decorate.
You can buy ready-mixed pumpkin pie spices in most grocery stores, but we just mixed our own using equal quantities of ground cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and ground nutmeg.
- Tip: Go easy on the ground cloves in your spice mix if the smell is overpowering.
FAQs
What is pumpkin spice latte made of?
The main ingredients that give Pumpkin Spice Lattes their flavor are the spices. The clue is in the name. These are the same spices you would use to make a pumpkin pie – cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg – and they deliver all the same cozy, homely goodness associated with this classic holiday season dessert.
Whether or not you include pumpkin puree is entirely your choice, but if you love this beverage from Starbucks and are looking to recreate it at home, then you’ll need the puree.
We taste-tested Pumpkin Spice Latte with and without pumpkin puree, and they were both seriously good. The puree version is just a little heavier and richer.
Are pumpkin spice lattes healthy?
While the Pumpkin Spice Latte is made from all-natural ingredients, it does contain more calories than a regular latte because of the addition of sugary syrup and pumpkin puree.
If you are counting the calories, you could easily switch out cane sugar for a sweetener like stevia when making our pumpkin spice syrup recipe above.
You can also leave out the puree altogether without missing the flavor hit. Then, swap full-fat milk for skimmed milk or unsweetened oat milk to enjoy this Fall treat virtually guilt-free.
Final thoughts
Making a Pumpkin Spice Latte is much easier than you'd imagine. The beauty of making it at home is that you can adjust the sugar and spice levels to suit your tastebuds. We recommend taking the time to tweak the amounts when using such strong flavors, as tiny adjustments can make all the difference to the final result.
Our Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is easy to make child-friendly using decaffeinated espresso. The making process will also fill your home with all the scents of pumpkin season—perfect when welcoming guests over for a Pumpkin Spice Latte and perhaps a cheeky slice of pumpkin pie!
