No need to pay for pricey coffee-shop pumpkin spice lattes with this easy, homemade version that uses real pumpkin puree (no fake, sugary syrups) and can be made quickly and inexpensively at home. And now you can enjoy pumpkin spice lattes year-round from home.
Every year around this time the world seems to go crazy for Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes
The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes are lovely…
But you can make them at home
And I’d like to think my make-at-home version wins
Why?
Because you can make them vegan at home, if you so choose.
And the ones you purchase are generally made with fake, sugary, pumpkin-flavored syrups, not real pumpkin puree.
It should be noted that this is a natural latte, made with real pumpkin puree and real pumpkin pie spice. It does not all fully dissolve and there will be some settling at the bottom of the mug. If you don’t want settling, the way to avoid that is to use synthetic syrups made from chemicals rather than real pumpkin and real spices. Your choice.
Since some people enjoy a daily dose of HFCS, you make lattes at home and can control what goes into your latte.
Another reason the at-home version wins is because you could go into the poorhouse if you like your coffee as much as I like mine buying these specialty drinks.
I bet the cost per cup of the homemade latte is less than a quarter and probably even less.
Far less than the $4 coffee shop lattes and the cheapskate in me wants to make things at home whenever possible.
And I actually prefer the taste of my version to the Starbucks version but I could be biased.
For the recipe, there are many ways to make these and many recipes I’ve seen on the internet, but here’s what I do because I like these ratios the best.
And oh yes, it’s easy.
A Visual Guide
Brew your coffee
I was lucky enough to receive this Godiva Pumpkin Coffee from Godiva in conjunction with being a FoodBuzz Featured Publisher
The coffee is delicious and being that it’s pumpkin-flavored it just enhances the recipe but it’s not required to use pumpkin coffee
Any ole coffee will do if you don’t have any of these just laying around your cupboards
After you’ve made your coffee, make the pumpkin milk
Everything in
Blend
This stuff is so good!
You don’t even need to pour it into coffee. You can just drink this as is. Mmmm, good. Just ask Skylar.
And when you’re chugging this straight taste-testing this before you pour it into the brewed coffee just remember the old saying: “Pumpkin Milk: It does a body good!”
I recommend heating the pumpkin milk mixture up in the micro (or stovetop) before you add it to the brewed coffee (or Vita users, just let ‘er rip and let the machine do the work for you)
But I truly despise lukewarm coffee drinks so I always heat it up as to not cool off my coffee too much
Pour the coffee into your mug, top with half the pumpkin milk mixture
Garnish and Drink Up
And be glad you don’t have to rely on buying pumpkin spice lattes anymore!
As I said in the recipe section, you know you will want a refill
Every bit as good as Starbucks Star Who?
And easy and cheap!
And for the rest of the can of pumpkin puree you have on your hands, I have a great recipe coming up for how to use it…
Tip: I actually mix up about 2 cups+ worth of pumpkin milk at a time and store that in the fridge and heat it up as needed and then add that to coffee as I see fit over the next couple days
I figure as long as I am dirtying dishes and have everything out, I always make a little extra for refills or future use
Or, you can also freeze the extra pumpkin puree in a small container and make something else that tickles your pumpkin fancy because you never know when a pumpkin craving is going to hit.
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Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
- At least 2 cups coffee, strong and freshly brewed
- 1 cup milk, I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk but use any kind you wish from whole to soy to rice milk
- ¼ heaping cup pumpkin puree, more if you really love pumpkin
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice blend, or to taste
- 1 teaspoons cinnamon, or to taste
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- sweetener of choice, to taste (I suggest 2 tablespoons agave or 2 tablespoons brown sugar, or a pinch of stevia to taste; or try honey, maple syrup, etc. to taste)
- Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg, ginger, garam masala, cardamom, or other warming spices to taste
Instructions
- Make coffee (a pot, single-serving cup, in whatever fashion and however you prefer making your coffee. The stronger the better)
- Make Pumpkin Milk by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well by hand or blend using a Vita-MIx or blender Optional: Warm the finished pumpkin milk mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop (I do a quick nuke of about 1 minute)
- Pour 1 cup of brewed coffee into a mug and pour half the pumpkin milk mixture over the top of the coffee and enjoy. (The other half of the pumpkin milk mixture is for the refill you know you will want. If you truly don’t want a refill, refrigerate it for up to a few days and use for your next latte, in a smoothie, or drink it as is. As long as you’re dirtying dishes, I always make a little extra for refills or for later)
- Optional: Finish by garnishing with real whipped cream/whipped topping such and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice/cinnamon on top
- Notes: The spices will not “blend” or entirely dissolve. This is to be expected and normal. If this bothers you, this may not the recipe for you and you may want to experiment with other recipes or techniques.All spices and seasonings are to taste; in this case, mine. If you want to reduce the spices (or increase them), obviously adjust everything according to your own taste preferences. Some people may find the amounts I used a bit strong, but I like robust flavors.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Here’s a Roundup of my Favorite Pumpkin Recipes
Do you like Pumpkin Spice Lattes? Are you one of those people who has been over-paying for your seasonal pumpkin spice lattes (or come Christmastime the gingerbread lattes)?
Maybe you’ll make these at home because as I said here, if I relied on Starbucks for my coffee or specialty drink fix, I’d be broke!
Plus I truly prefer the taste of the make-at-home.
First of all, the pictures are simple and stunning. Some of your best in my opinion. And this recipe is also super simple looking and I have all the ingredients already, love that! Does the pumpkin get at all chunky in the coffee? I feel like it might separate a little, unless you mix it super well with a vita… I guess I’ll just have to find out!
thanks for the pic compliments. things were just flowing and I had sooooo many good shots to choose from.
some days, i have NOTHING good and actually have had to re-shoot pics before, i.e. the golden grahams smores bars.
i wish i knew why some days it flows and other days…it doesnt.
chunky…no, not at all. But whisk WELL or else blend in a bullet, vita, blender, etc for 20 secs…worth it IMO to get it reallllllly smooth
YUM!!! This look amazing! I have never actually tried a starbucks one because of all the sugar and dairy, but I’m going to try this one.
Averie…I go CRAZY over the Pumpkin Spice Latte. A friend worked at starbucks and snuck me a tall cup filled with the syrup and Paul and I gobbled it down faster than you would believe and then there was no more. I am so excited to try this, and just in time for this beautiful fall weather. Thanks
Laura @ A Healthy Jalapeño
These pictures are so pretty Averie! I had my first pumpkin spice latte the other day and I forgot how SWEET they are! Next time I need to ask for half the pumps of the syrup… Obviously, it would have been way better had it been served with a side of girl talk with you!
I was JUST at Starbucks Tuesday meeting a friend. And thought of you the whole time! Wow, we were probably in Starbucks at the same exact time. And yes, I know you love your pumpkin foods xoxo
That Godiva coffee looks so good. I’m usually not a fan of flavored coffee, but those flavors sound too delicious!
Like I said yesterday (?) the syrups from Starbucks just don’t sit well with me, so this is definitely more up my alley. I promise it has nothing to do with it being healthier, haha, although that helps a bit!
I’m still not ready to totally get into pumpkin though. But one day soon I’ll prob change my mind!
I know you’re a big pumpkin fan. Only a matter of time before you’re on board again.
And yes, you and me both with the tummy stuff. I wrote that part in my questions/#1 with the tummy stuff and was thinking about our interchange on that one, too!
i’m going to HAVE to make this!! one of my favorite things ever used to be the pumpkin spice lattes! ooo the smell and everything!
My pumpkin cravings are hitting HARD lately!!! And I just received those coffees yesterday – I just brewed up some of the caramel pecan bark! It smells divine!
you got the coffee too? well enjoy it! yes it smells soooo good!
That looks lovely. I would love to try it but I’ve never seen any canned pumpkins over here in Germany. Are they just like normal cooked pumpkins?
I do like some drinks in Starbucks but as you say they are really expensive so it’s nothing I would buy on a regular basis but only when I’m traveling (i.e. at the airport) and don’t have a chance to make my own coffee. Here in Europe prices are even higher at about the equivalent of $6 for the small size. I tried to recreate their caramel macchiato and some of their iced coffees at home and enjoyed the taste just as much as I would have enjoyed the starbucks one.
Are they just like normal cooked pumpkins? = it’s pumpkin puree which is cooked/boiled down pumpkin and then pureed. You can do this yourself if you dont have canned puree but here, we do :)
I recreated a caramel macchiato too!
https://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2009/11/shopping-lulu-espresso-maker.html
I love how you broke this down into two parts – the coffee and the pumpkin milk. Every other recipe I’ve seen, that wasn’t clicking and it just seemed like a lot of work for one drink…but when you put it like this?! I could just make a whole bunch of pumpkin milk at once! I bet it’d be super yummy in other things, too.
I try to make everything I can at home, too. Buying out is just so overpriced. I cringe when I think of how many coffees I used to purchase. At least $2.50/day adds up pretty quick!
yes I try to break things down the way MY MIND works…b/c sometimes I see recipes that are really easy but the way they are written or the ordering of the steps…it scares me off! So I try to present things as logically and simply as possible. Glad i succeeded with this one :)
Love this idea Of making your own Starbucks drinks! I’ve never actually had a pumpkin spice latte.
maybe a pumpkin spice latte would bring back my coffee love?!! i’ve never had one of these specialty drinks, but know that EVERYONE RAVES about the starbucks version!
i love the pumpkin coloured mug that you used for this photo series!
i would love to try some of mama pea’s (sarah’s) recipes starbucks treats that she has created so you can make a homemade version. just haven’t gotten around to it!
i’m not that big a pumpkin fan…but nothing wrong with trying a latte!
I’m really excited to try this recipe because (as you were talking about liking the taste of your latte more), ever since I went (primarily) vegan about a year ago, I’ve noticed, when I order out, my taste buds are quick to pick out artificial flavoring – that stinging, something’s-not-quite-right-with-this flavor. Starbucks is sometimes an offender of that taste…
So, thank you for the homemade version; I cannot wait to make this! :)
Yum! This looks amazing! I’ve never had a pumpkin spice latte but I’m sure I would love it.
I don’t really drink coffee (plus I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the pumpkin spice latte in the UK although I may be wrong) but I spend a fortune on Starbucks flavoured hot chocolate during the winter. I try to look at it as a weekly treat though rather than getting into a regular habit for both my waistline and my wallet!
I really must make on of those pumpkin spice lattes!
Well, there are hardly many things I rather buy than make myself, but there are two things I love eating outside my home: sushi and stuffed wine leaves.
I love pumpkin spice ANYTHING! It is one of my favorite things EVER. But I can’t find pumpkin puree here. We haven’t been able to find any in over 2 years. It is RIDICULOUS and it puts a huge cramp on my baking. I love the stuff so much and still dream about my pumpkin chocolate chip muffins….sigh.
Averie, your pictures are lovely! And so are youuuuuu! xoxox
Thanks for the picture compliments…and YOU are lovely too :)
xoxo
Sorry about the lack of pumpkin puree. I know when I am out of the USA, there is no telling when ANYTHING will show back up in the grocery stores, i.e. in Aruba, if you see it and like it, better buy 19 of them b/c lord knows you may NEVER see it again!
You could use (orange) sweet potato instead of pumpkin. Dice it into largish pieces, steam it 10 minutes or until soft, remove skin and mash with a little liquid. It’s very like pumpkin puree.