Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte

Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte — My Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is spot on! Skip going out and the lines, save money, and start making your own homemade pumpkin spice lattes! You’re going to love how similar this tastes to the real thing!

Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

I am a person who loves summery weather, but one thing that I look forward to in the fall is a freshly made Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.

I know I’m not the only one who loves this guilty pleasure come this time every year! You know who you are.

My DIY version is super simple and straightforward, but will help you perfect the art of making homemade pumpkin spice lattes. 

You’ll save money, you don’t have to run out or wait in any lines, and best of all, my copycat pumpkin spice latte recipe will satisfy your cravings!

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Ingredients

In order to make homemade pumpkin spice lattes, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Espresso, freshly brewed
• Torani pumpkin pie syrup (or the Sugar Free version)
• Steamed and frothed milk
• Whipped cream, optional for topping
• Pumpkin pie spice, for topping

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home

It’s really very easy to make DIY pumpkin spice lattes at home! I’ve given an overview in the section below, but the recipe card at the very end of this post has lots more details, tips, and tricks! 

Step 1: Begin by adding espresso, or very very strongly brewed coffee, to a mug along with the pumpkin syrup.

Step 2: Steam and froth the milk and add it to the mug, holding a bit of the froth back with a spoon.

Step 3: Then, top with optional whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice. Easy as that!

How to Make Espresso at Home

It’s not secret that having an espresso machine will make this recipe the easiest. However, I realize it’s a luxury that not many of us have myself included.

• If you have a Nespresso or Keurig machine (I adore mine!):  I recommend cutting the amount of water you use to make sure the coffee is really strong.
• If you have a french press: This is the next best option! Use a bold roast coffee.
• If you use brewed coffee: This is actually a café au lait. Again, cut way back on the water so the coffee is really strong.
• If you use instant espresso: Follow the instructions on the packaging. Use instant espresso as an absolute last resort if you actually want your homemade pumpkin spice latte to taste like the Starbucks version. 

How to Steam and Froth Milk 

You have a couple options when it comes to steaming and frothing milk at home to use in your DIY pumpkin spice latte. 

Option #1: Buy a Milk Frother 

There are lots of gadgets and appliances that steam and froth milk. I have an older version of this milk steamer and frother and love it! 

It gets the milk very hot which I love, as well as very stiff and frothy. For $40 bucks, the convenience of having steamed and very frothed milk in 90 seconds is totally worth it to me.

I always feel like what is the point of frothing milk if it’s kind of “loose” and basically like ordinary milk? I figure I may as well just zap a bit of milk in the microwave and add it straight to coffee if all I was looking for was that it was warmed.

Option #2: Use Your Espresso Machine 

If you’re lucky enough to have an espresso machine with a built-in steamer, it’s the easiest way to make steamed milk for a latte.

1. Add milk to the frothing pitcher: Fill your frothing pitcher with milk and place the steaming wand in the milk and steam for about 30 to 45 seconds.
2. Steam the milk: Then bring the wand just under the surface of the milk and continue to steam until the froth begins to build.
3. The milk for a latte should reach 160 degrees F. I strongly recommend using a beverage thermometer.

Option #3: Do it By Hand 

For this drink, I do really recommend that you steam and froth some milk but if you absolutely don’t want to buy a gadget, you can either do it in a small kettle on the stove.

1. Warm the milk over medium heat. Make sure not to bring it to a simmer nor to a boil or it will taste scorched. It will boil sooner than you think so keep an eye on it. Use a thermometer so that it stays in the 150-160F range.
2. Froth the milk. You can froth it or do it by hand by adding the milk to a mason jar, covering it with a lid, and shaking the jar until it’s super bubbly.
3. Microwave the milk. Microwave it until the foam rises to the top and the milk reaches the desired temperature. Don’t let it bubble over.

What Kind of Milk Is Best for a Latte?

Starbucks, unless otherwise specified, uses whole (4%) milk. That will likely make your homemade latte taste the most similar to their version.

However, 2% milk is also another fine option to shave off some fat and calories. As a bonus, I get the best results in my milk steamer and frother when I use 2% rather than whole milk.

I am not a fan of skim or fat-free milk in my coffee drinks because they taste lifeless to me, but if you’re used to this, I’m sure you can give it a whirl.

You can also try using plant-based milks such as almond or soy and see how it works for you.

Do I Have to Use Flavored Syrup?

Yes, you need to use a flavored syrup for this homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe. If you’d rather avoid store-bought syrups, I have a 10-year-old recipe for Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes that uses pumpkin puree and no syrups. 

This current recipe, however, calls for using a pumpkin-flavored syrup, such as the Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup or their Sugar Free version. Torani also has a Pumpkin Spice version, and a Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice.

There are other brands, including DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup, but I find Torani to be more commonly stocked in supermarkets in comparison to DaVinci.

Use whatever sounds best to you — be it a pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, regular or sugar-free flavored syrup.

Pumpkin Syrup vs. Pumpkin Puree in a Latte

Starbucks’ pumpkin syrup is actually more like a sauce. It’s made with sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and pumpkin puree.

If you really want a sauce option, I recommend using the Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce as opposed to making it from home. I’ve tried making versions of it at home but find it always leaves the latte with a less than desirable texture.

Honestly, my 2011 version Pumpkin Spice Latte has this same shortcoming textural issue since it’s impossible to fully dissolve either the actual pumpkin puree nor the firm specks of pumpkin pie spice. There is always a grittiness, no matter what.

Plus, the Starbucks pumpkin syrup is not shelf stable.

Since Starbucks uses Torani syrup for most of their other flavored drinks, I believe syrup is a nice substitution and compromise, while still ending up with a delish tasting drink!

How to Make an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

For those who may not be into hot coffee drinks, even in the dead of winter — I don’t understand you people! But you can make an iced pumpkin spice latte if desired. 

1. Brew your espresso and add it over a cup full of ice along with the pumpkin pie flavored syrup.
2. Use more ice than you think since the hot espresso will melt the ice considerably and more ice prevents a watered down tasting iced latte.
3. You can skip steaming the milk and just simply froth it a bit or even add the milk unfrothed if you’re really feeling lazy.
4. Top with optional whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy.

Can I Make a Decaf Pumpkin Spice Latte? 

Yes, very easily! Simply use a decaf espresso and brew it using your desired brewing method. 

I know for sure that Starbucks sells a decaf espresso, and I’m sure other brands do as well. 

If you don’t have decaf espresso beans on hand and don’t want to buy them, you can substitute regular decaf coffee. Just be sure to cut back on the water significantly to ensure the coffee is extra strong. 

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Spice Latte

If you can’t find any of the pumpkin flavored Torani syrups in your local market and don’t want to order them on Amazon, 1/2 ounce of regular simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar, heated until dissolved, then cooled) mixed with ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice extract can be used for every 4 ounces of milk.

I’m not sure if you can find pumpkin pie spice extract without an Amazon order perhaps, but I am providing a variety of options. 

To increase the intensity of pumpkin flavor without increasing the sweetness, you can add ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie flavor extract to 1 ounce of the Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup.

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5 from 2 votes

Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte

By Averie Sunshine

My Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is spot on! You're going to love how similar this tastes to the real thing! Make sure to either READ the blog post or the notes below for very detailed info!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

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Ingredients  

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• ▢ 2 ounces freshly brewed espresso
• ▢ 1½ ounces pumpkin pie flavored Torani syrup
• ▢ 12 ounces steamed and frothed milk
• ▢ Whipped cream, optional for topping
• ▢ Pumpkin pie spice, for topping

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

• To a large 16-ounce mug, add the brewed espresso* and pumpkin syrup** (see Notes).
• Steam and froth the milk***, then pour it into the mug, using the back of a spoon to hold back the frothed part of the milk.
• Then spoon the milk froth onto the top of the drink.
• Optionally top with whipped topping or simply just leave it as-is with the frothed milk.
• Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice and serve immediately. Drink is best warm and fresh. Tip - If you want to make an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, read the blog post for directions.

Notes

*Espresso

It’s not secret that having an espresso machine will make this recipe the easiest. However, I realize it’s a luxury that not many of us have myself included.

If you have a Nespresso or Keurig machine (I adore mine), that will work too. I recommend cutting the amount of water you use to make sure the coffee is really strong.

The next best option is to use a bold roast in a french press.

If you use brewed coffee this is actually a café au lait. Again, cut way back on the water so the coffee is really strong.

Lastly, if you’re really in a pinch, you can use instant espresso.

**Pumpkin Syrup

I have a 10 year old recipe for Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes that uses pumpkin puree and no syrups. 

This current recipe, however, calls for using a pumpkin-flavored syrup such as the Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup or their Sugar Free version.

Torani also has a Pumpkin Spice version, and a Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice.

There are other brands including DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup but I find Torani to be more commonly stocked in supermarkets in comparison to DaVinci.

Use whatever sounds best to you – be it a pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, regular or sugar-free flavored syrup.

***Steaming and Frothing Milk

Gadget: There are lots of gadgets and appliances that steam and froth milk. I have an older version of this milk steamer and frother and love it!  It gets the milk very hot which I love, as well as very stiff and frothy. For $40, the convenience of having steamed and very frothed milk in 90 seconds is totally worth it to me.

Espresso Machine: If you’re lucky enough to have an espresso machine, with a built-in steamer, it’s the easiest way to make steamed milk for a latte. Fill your frothing pitcher with milk and place the steaming wand in the milk and steam for about 30 to 45 seconds.

Then bring the wand just under the surface of the milk and continue to steam until the froth begins to build. The milk for a latte should reach 160 degrees F. I strongly recommend using a beverage thermometer.

Stovetop/By Hand: For this drink, I do really recommend that you steam and froth some milk but if you absolutely don’t want to buy a gadget, you can either do it in a small kettle on the stove.

Make sure not to bring it to a simmer nor to a boil or it will taste scorched. It will boil sooner than you think so keep an eye on it. Use a thermometer so that it stays in the 150-160F range.

Then froth it or keep it do it by hand by adding the milk to a mason jar, cover with a lid, and shake until it’s super bubbly. Then microwave it until the foam rises to the top and the milk reaches the desired temperature. Don’t let it bubble over.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 370kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 45mg, Sodium: 310mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 24g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

©averiecooks.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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