There's something magical about that first sip of a warm, creamy Pumpkin Spice Latte on a crisp autumn morning. But here's the thing – you don't need to wait in line or spend a fortune to enjoy this beloved fall drink.
This homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe brings all those cozy, spiced flavors right to your kitchen, and honestly, it tastes even better than the coffee shop version. Trust me, once you try making it yourself, you'll wonder why you ever bought it anywhere else.
Why You'll Love This Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
This isn't just another Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe – it's the one that'll become your go-to all season long. What makes it special? First, you control every ingredient, which means you can make it as sweet or as spiced as your heart desires. My family absolutely loves how creamy and rich it turns out, and my sister always asks me to make her one when she visits.
The best part? You probably have most of these ingredients sitting in your pantry right now. No special trips to the store, no expensive syrups, just simple, wholesome ingredients that create pure autumn magic in a mug.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Aliana's Top Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve With Pumpkin Spice Latte
- FAQs About Pumpkin Spice Latte
- More Delicious Ideas
- Related
- Pairing
- Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
- More DRINKS
What You'll Need
These ingredients come together like a warm hug in a cup. Everything here is pantry-friendly and easy to find, making this the perfect cozy drink for any autumn day.
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree (the star of the show)
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice mix (store-bought or homemade)
- 1½ tablespoons maple syrup or date paste (natural sweetness)
- 1½ cups your favorite milk (oat milk is my personal favorite)
- 1 to 2 shots espresso or ¼ cup strong coffee (skip for caffeine-free)
- Ice cubes (for that perfect chill)
Optional Extras
For the ultimate finishing touch, consider store-bought cream or homemade coconut whipped cream, cinnamon sticks for stirring, and an extra dash of pumpkin spice on top.
This pumpkin spice latte is super easy – full steps are in the recipe card.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Latte
Blend the Base
Add the pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice mix, maple syrup, milk, and espresso to your blender. Blitz everything for 10 to 15 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. The aroma alone will have you dreaming of fall afternoons.
Serve Over Ice
Pour your blended pumpkin spice mixture into a tall glass filled with ice cubes. Watch as the creamy, spiced goodness cascades over the ice – it's almost too pretty to drink.
Add the Finishing Touches
Top with your choice of whipped cream, add a cinnamon stick for stirring, and finish with an extra sprinkle of pumpkin spice. This step transforms your drink from good to absolutely Instagram-worthy.
Can I make this without a blender? Absolutely! Whisk all ingredients vigorously in a bowl until well combined, then pour over ice. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still be amazing.
Aliana's Top Tip
- Here's my secret for the creamiest pumpkin spice latte: warm your milk slightly before blending.
- Not hot, just barely warm to room temperature.
- This little trick helps everything blend more smoothly and creates that perfect coffee shop texture.
- My mom taught me this when I was learning to make homemade lattes, and it's been a game-changer ever since.
Ingredient Substitutions
Can't find pumpkin puree? Try sweet potato puree for a similar taste. For a lighter version, use almond milk instead of oat milk. Want it sweeter? Add an extra tablespoon of maple syrup.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover pumpkin spice latte in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Give it a good stir before serving, as separation is natural. You can enjoy it cold or gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly.
What to Serve With Pumpkin Spice Latte
This cozy drink pairs beautifully with pumpkin muffins, cinnamon scones, or even a simple piece of buttered toast. My family loves sipping it alongside pumpkin chocolate chip muffins on weekend mornings – it's become our autumn tradition.
FAQs About Pumpkin Spice Latte
What is pumpkin spice latte made of?
A pumpkin spice latte typically contains pumpkin puree, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, milk, coffee or espresso, and sweetener. The magic happens when these simple ingredients blend together.
Are pumpkin spice lattes healthy?
Homemade versions like this one can be much healthier than store-bought options since you control the sugar and ingredients. Using natural sweeteners and plant-based milk makes it even better.
Is pumpkin spice latte hot?
Traditionally yes, but this recipe creates a refreshing iced version. You can easily warm it up if you prefer it hot – just heat gently on the stovetop.
Is pumpkin spice latte seasonal?
While pumpkin spice drinks are popular in fall, there's no rule saying you can't enjoy them year-round. Pumpkin puree is available in most stores throughout the year.
More Delicious Ideas
If you're loving these warm autumn flavors, you'll want to try my honey oat milk latte next – it's creamy, naturally sweet, and perfect for chilly mornings. My cortadito recipe brings a little Cuban flair to your coffee routine, while the red wine slushie is surprisingly refreshing for those warmer fall days. For more pumpkin treats, my pumpkin chocolate chip muffins pair beautifully with this latte – they're soft, spiced, and disappear fast in our house.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes – I'd love to see your twist on it!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe:
Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Blender To blend all ingredients smoothly
- 2 Tall glasses For serving over ice
- 1 Measuring spoons For accurate ingredient portions
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree - the star of the show
- 0.5 teaspoon pumpkin spice mix - store-bought or homemade
- 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup - or date paste for natural sweetness
- 1.5 cups oat milk - or your favorite milk
- 1-2 shots espresso - or ¼ cup strong coffee, skip for caffeine-free
- 1 cup ice cubes - for serving
- 2 tablespoons whipped cream - store-bought or homemade coconut, optional
- 2 pieces cinnamon sticks - for decoration, optional
- 1 pinch extra pumpkin spice - for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice mix, maple syrup, milk, and espresso to your blender. Blitz everything for 10 to 15 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined.
- Pour your blended pumpkin spice mixture into tall glasses filled with ice cubes. Watch as the creamy, spiced goodness cascades over the ice.
- Top with whipped cream, add cinnamon sticks for stirring, and finish with an extra sprinkle of pumpkin spice. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade fall treat.
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