Pumpkin Spice Latte. All you need to make this classic fall drink is milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and espresso.
This recipe is SO easy. Which will make you wonder why you have been spending so much $$ at Starbucks.
How easy? Easy enough that this coffee novice rocked the drink for her very picky husband and he loved it. All you need is a blender, quality ingredients, and 10 minutes to whip up your very own, Starbucks worthy.
Do you need to use espresso for a homemade latte?
This is a great question. Do you have to use espresso for a latte at home? Technically, lattes are made with espresso so it seems to reason that the answer would be yes.
However, I dread dragging out my espresso maker. It has a beautiful spot on the top shelf where it stays unless I can talk my husband into pulling it out and whipping up a shot or two.
Which means 99% of the time I actually make my lattes with strong brewed coffee. They taste the just as good and, unless you are a coffee expert, you won’t notice much of a difference.
What are the ingredients in a pumpkin spice latte?
Before I set you out to make your own pumpkin spice latte, let’s get a breakdown of the ingredients you will need:
- Milk- Whole milk really is best, but you could really use any percentage.
- Sugar- Granulated, or regular white sugar, is what I like to use.
- Pure pumpkin puree- Try to avoid pumpkin pie mix.
- Vanilla extract- Always use pure vanilla extract and avoid imitation.
- Pumpkin pie spice- I have a wonderful homemade version!
- Strong brewed coffee or 1 shot of espresso
A few notes, make sure you use pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie mix. Pumpkin puree is just pumpkin. Nothing else. The pie mix has added spices that we want to avoid.
Same goes for the vanilla extract and coffee. Be sure to use pure vanilla and quality coffee.
Can’t get enough pumpkin? Try my Pumpkin Spiced Cookies.
How to make a copycat Starbucks pumpkin spice latte:
Before I share the how-to I want to give you some great tips and tricks.
- The first thing you will need to do is pick your coffee. Be sure to use a quality brew, I really love Laughing Man Coffee, and it helps to grind your own beans.
- I decided to stick with a strong brewed dark coffee but an espresso would be just as good.
- Another great tip is to add or subtract the amount of sugar used. I like my coffee on the sweeter side so the 2 tablespoons called for worked perfectly.
- If you want to get super fancy you can top your cup with some whipped cream and a little cinnamon for that coffee house feel.
How to make a pumpkin spice latte:
- Combine the milk, sugar, and puree in a small sauce pan. Heat to just a boil making sure to whisk consistently.
- Remove from the heat and pour into a blender. Add vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Pulse for 30-40 seconds or until the mixture has started to froth.
- Pour your coffee into a cup until it’s about half full . Fill the remaining portion with your pumpkin mixture!
- Top with whipped cream and cinnamon if desired.
Helpful tools for this recipe:
- Espresso Maker– This is the one we have and love, but you do not have to invest in an espresso machine if you don’t have the space. See the next suggestion.
- French Press– French press makes a super smooth and rich cup of coffee. This is an excellent substitute for espresso.
- Coffee Bean Grinder– Grinding your own coffee beans is a tiny but super impressive step. You will be super surprised how much of a difference this makes.
- Milk Frother or Mason Jar- I use a mason jar or blender, but it turns out you can get a milk frother for around $10!
- Mugs– Glass mugs give a super fancy feel and are fun to see the different layers in this drink.
- Coffee Spoons– Not required, but one of my more recent purchases that I love!
I earn a small commission from purchases through the above links. This helps me keep my recipes free and I only share products I personally use and love.
More Coffee Recipes:
- Snickerdoodle Latte
- Iced Vanilla Latte
- Coconut Horchata Latte
- Gingerbread Latte
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
More Pumpkin Recipes:
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 cups strongly brewed coffee or espresso
Instructions
- Combine the milk, sugar, and puree in a small sauce pan. Heat to just a boil making sure to whisk consistently.
- Remove from the heat and pour into a blender. Add vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Pulse for 30-40 seconds or until the mixture has started to froth.
- Pour your coffee into a cup until it's about half full. Fill the remaining portion with your pumpkin mixture!
- Top with whipped cream and cinnamon if desired.
Notes
- The first thing you will need to do is pick your coffee. Be sure to use a quality brew, I really love Laughing Man Coffee, and it helps to grind your own beans.
- I decided to stick with a strong brewed dark coffee but an espresso would be just as good.
- Another great tip is to add or subtract the amount of sugar used. I like my coffee on the sweeter side so the 2 tablespoons called for worked perfectly.
- If you want to get super fancy you can top your cup with some whipped cream and a little cinnamon for that coffee house feel.
Nutrition
Equipment
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Comments & Reviews
Debbra newton says
Thank you Jesseca. I’m going to try this. Love, Aunt Deb
Gena says
Thank you from a homesick expat in Indonesia,