Once you try this homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe (better than Starbucks), it will become a Fall staple in your home! It’s simple to make, full of pumpkin flavor, and the perfect way to enjoy a cozy drink without leaving the house.
Every October as the weather gets cooler and gloomier, my husband and I make daily pumpkin spice lattes (you heard me – daily)! We cannot get enough of this Starbucks pumpkin spice latte copycat recipe.
The best part? It’s easier than you think! When you try this recipe and realize how easy it is to make, not to mention how delicious it is, you may never find yourself in the long line of a Starbucks drive through again! This latte made with fresh ingredients will be your go-to this Fall!
In this post, I’m sharing my homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe (better than Starbucks)!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
- Our Home Coffee Favorites
- What You’ll Need for This Recipe
- How to Make a Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
- FAQ’s: Alternatives, & Substitutions
- Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe (better than Starbucks)
Why You’ll Love This Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
- It will save you money – I don’t want to imagine a Fall without my daily PSL’s, but buying daily pumpkin spice latte’s from Starbucks adds up! When I discovered how easy it is to make one at home that is fresher AND saves money, I never went back!
- It’s healthier – say goodbye to artificial flavors and sweeteners. This recipe uses fresh ingredients that are healthier, and taste even better than that artificial crap! Take it a step further and use more nutrient-dense sweeteners like in my healthier pumpkin spice latte syrup recipe.
- It’s super easy – this recipe is just a few steps and can be whipped up so quickly. It’s the easiest pumpkin spice latte recipe ever!
- It’s Fall flavor heaven – I know you definitely crave a pumpkin spice latte come September. This recipe will satisfy that craving AND taste even better than a latte from Starbucks. You’ll just have to trust me! If you love this recipe, you may also love my other fall recipes!
What You’ll Need for This Recipe
- Strong coffee: I love two shots of espresso from our Breville espresso machine, but any strong coffee will work, such as cold brew.
- Pumpkin spice syrup: there are many ways to mimic Starbucks’ pumpkin spice syrup, and here are my tried and true recipes that taste amazing: homemade pumpkin spice syrup recipe and healthier pumpkin spice syrup recipe. Both recipes use fresh and real pumpkin puree for that wonderful pumpkin flavor, a sweetener of choice (ex. granulated sugar or maple syrup), and pumpkin pie spice (which is a blend of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg).
- Milk or Cream: to make a perfect latte, you need some good milk or creamer. I love to use half and half, but you can use any milk of your choice, including substitutes like almond or oat milk.
- (optional) Whipped cream: top the homemade pumpkin spice latte with some whipped cream or alternative such as coconut whipped cream.
Our Home Coffee Favorites
My hubby and I are self-proclaimed low-key coffee snobs, and we have THE best set up at home. Rarely do we go out for coffee, and if we do, its to enjoy the ambiance, not for the coffee. We want to share our favorite coffee resources with you! Plus, Christmas is coming up and these make for the perfect gifts for coffee lovers.
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Breville Espresso Machine
Our tried and true, 6-year-old Breville espresso machine is the reason we wake in the morning – just joking! But it is something we look forward to using multiple times a day. Yes, it’s pricy, however (and I did do the official math), it has saved us over $10,950 worth in lattes I used to buy at the coffee shop every morning.
The math: $5/latte for 365 days of the year, for 6 years is $10,950. Call it girl math or whatever, but it’s crazy how much we are willing to spend on coffee!!!
View my Ultimate Guide to the Best Home Espresso Machine: Breville Barista Express Review!
Nespresso Milk Frother
We love this Nespresso milk frother. After trying three different frothers, we determined this to be the best one! It’s quicker than other frothers and it froths perfectly (as opposed to our first frother that was not foamy enough and our second frother that was too foamy). It was worth every penny for convenient, quality lattes!
Breville Nespresso Machine
The Breville Nespresso machine is perfect for cappuccinos and lattes and we love to use ours for decaf pods. Told you we are obsessed with coffee! It’s such a great espresso machine, especially when you’re crunched for time or don’t have a whole lot of counter space! It’s the perfect machine to make coffee for your pumpkin latte!
Atlas Coffee Club
This is the coolest coffee subscription. Each month, Atlas sends us bags of coffee beans from different farms across the globe. They pride themselves in curating the best coffees that are sustainably sourced and freshly roasted, for the best flavor. With the coffee they also send postcards and links to view tour videos online from that supported coffee farm. Cool, right?! For the last 16 months we have tasted coffees from around the globe, all of which have unique tasting notes. The best part? The cost of the subscription ends up being the same cost as buying quality coffee beans from Safeway (for the same amount)! Last year, we gifted my in-laws a 3-month subscription and they loved it too! Click here to get $10 off.
How to Make a Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Brew 2 shots of espresso (or about 1/2 cup of strong coffee) and pour it into your favorite mug.
- Stir in 2 tbsp of pumpkin spice syrup, adjusting to your desired sweetness level.
- Froth your milk or cream with a milk frother until it’s light and foamy, then gently pour it over your coffee.
- Top with whipped cream (optional) and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Enjoy!
FAQ’s: Alternatives, & Substitutions
Yes! If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can substitute the espresso with 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee, a French press, or even instant espresso powder.
Absolutely! You can use any type of milk you prefer, such as almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk. Just be aware that the frothiness may vary depending on the milk you choose.
Yes! You can sweeten your latte with alternatives like maple syrup, honey, agave, or sugar-free sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit. Adjust the amount based on your sweetness preference. Try my Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup Recipe made with more wholesome and healthy ingredients!
To make a larger batch, simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need. You can make the pumpkin spice milk mixture in advance, store it in the refrigerator, and reheat it as needed.
Yes! To make an iced pumpkin spice latte, simply brew your espresso or coffee and let it cool. Then pour it over ice, add cold milk, and stir in your pumpkin spice syrup.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Equipment
- Espresso machine
- Milk frother
Ingredients
- 2 shots of espresso or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
- 2 tbsp pumpkin spice syrup
- 3/4 cup milk or cream dairy or non-dairy
- Whipped cream optional
- Extra pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon for garnish
Pumpkin Spice Syrup Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice or equal parts cinnamon nutmeg, cloves, ginger
- 4 tbsp pumpkin puree
Instructions
- Brew 2 shots of espresso (or about 1/2 cup of strong coffee) and pour it into your favorite mug.
- Stir in 2 tbsp of pumpkin spice syrup, adjusting to your desired sweetness level.
- Froth your milk or cream with a milk frother until it’s light and foamy, then gently pour it over your coffee.
- Top with whipped cream (optional) and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe:
- Add all ingredients to a saucepan and stir on medium heat until sugar has desolved.
- Lower heat to low-medium and heat for 5 minutes. Don’t let it simmer or boil.
- Remove from heat and strain using a fine mesh strainer into a glass jar or container.
Notes
- Espresso Substitute: No espresso machine? No worries! Use strong brewed coffee or instant espresso powder.
- Non-Dairy Options: Try almond, oat, or coconut milk for a creamy, dairy-free version.
- Sweetness Control: Adjust the pumpkin spice syrup to taste or use a sugar alternative like honey or maple syrup.
- Extra Froth: Use a milk frother, blender, or whisk for an extra foamy finish.
- Make It Iced: Cool your coffee and pour it over ice for a refreshing twist!
- Healthier Pumpkin Spice Syrup: make a healthier version of traditional pumpkin spice syrup using this recipe which includes coconut sugar and maple syrup to sweeten it!
Let me know in the comments if you tried and liked this Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe (better than Starbucks)!
Other recipes you may enjoy:
This is the best homemade syrup for a PSL!!!
Makes the best PSL every single time. I have enjoyed it everyday in the Fall!