Basic babes, rejoice—my copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe means you don’t have to wait. PSL season is whenever you want it to be! Better yet, all you need are 6 all-natural ingredients and about 5 minutes of effort to whip up your own pumpkin spice lattes! 🎃☕😋
Autumn is approaching (though not fast enough, if you ask me) which means it’s time for all things pumpkin. And Uggs. And infinity scarves. Does that make me a basic white girl? Maybe, but I don’t care. Bring on the memes! (BTW, this one is totally my daughter. Our love of PSLs runs deep.😂)
From my iced pumpkin cream chai latte to my pumpkin cream cold brew topped with pumpkin cream cold foam, I’m finding as many ways as I can to start pumpkin season in this sweltering August heat.
But you know what I’m really looking forward to? That first blissfully crisp morning where there’s a nip in the air and one of these deliciously cozy coffee drinks in my hand. I know I’m not the only one! So, in preparation of that first leaf drop, I present to you my favorite way to make pumpkin spice lattes at home. Enjoy!
Jump to:
- What is a pumpkin spice latte?
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make A Pumpkin Latte At Home
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Nutrition
- Other Pumpkin Recipes
- Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
What is a pumpkin spice latte?
Only the most quintessential fall drink of them all! The pumpkin spice latte (PSL) first burst onto the Starbucks scene in the early 2000s and quickly became a seasonal sensation. It masterfully combines the comforting flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove with rich espresso and steamed milk for a creamy treat. For a final flourish, I like to top mine with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. All the pumpkin spice flavors with just a few basic ingredients!
What does it taste like?
The first sip delivers a creamy, dreamy richness, where the boldness of espresso and frothy milk meet the earthy sweetness of pumpkin and touch of maple syrup. Swirls of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove add a delightful spiciness, giving the drink strong pumpkin pie and fall flavors. Adding a fluffy cloud of whipped cream and a sprinkle of spices only strengthens the comparison. In short, a pumpkin spice latte is the perfect way to savor the season!
Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
- Made With Just 6 Simple Ingredients - Don’t get me wrong—I love the pumpkin spice latte Starbucks serves. The only problem is I don’t love all the additives like potassium sorbate and “natural flavors.” My homemade version is all-natural, made from regular ol’ pantry staples.
- Beautifully Basic - If loving pumpkin spice lattes is wrong, I don’t wanna be right. Best of all, my homemade recipe is wonderfully inclusive. Unlike Starbucks, mine can be made vegan!
- Budget Savvy - Rather than spending $5+ on a single PSL, you can make my homemade version for pennies on the dollar. That means more money for the fun stuff like haunted houses and Halloween costumes!
Ingredients Needed
As promised, my homemade PSL is made with pantry basics:
- Whole Milk - For a true replica of a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, whole milk is the way to go. It’s their default milk unless otherwise specified!
- Maple Syrup - I took the liberty of swapping out granulated sugar for less-processed maple syrup. The added hint of maple flavor is excellent!
- Pumpkin Purée - Make sure you’re getting 100% real pumpkin puree, NOT canned pumpkin pie filling.
- Vanilla Extract - For a touch of aromatic warmth to drive home the dessert vibes.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice - The crux of pumpkin spice lattes is the pumpkin spice!
- Espresso - Dark, rich shots of espresso add a lovely bitterness to balance out all the sweetness.
- Whipped Cream and/or Cinnamon Sugar - Optional, but super yummy as a garnish.
Substitutions
Need to make some changes? I’ve got you covered:
- Whole Milk - Feel free to use any dairy or plant-based milk you prefer. If you opt for plant-based, I recommend using either a full-fat version or a barista blend for the best latte foam. Soy milk, oat milk, and coconut milk are all great options!
- Maple Syrup - You can use any sweetener you like, including agave, honey, or brown sugar. Just note that different types of sweeteners have differing levels of sweetness, so you may need to adjust how much you use.
- Pumpkin Purée - 100% pure butternut squash or sweet potato purées are pretty darn close!
- Vanilla Extract - You’re welcome to use an equal amount of vanilla paste or vanilla powder instead.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice - If you’re fresh out of pumpkin pie spice, you can easily make your own with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, plus allspice if you like.
- Espresso - No espresso machine? No problem! Feel free to use freshly brewed strong coffee instead, though you’ll need about 4x as much.
- Whipped Cream and/or Cinnamon Sugar - You’re welcome to omit these, or swap in your favorite coffee toppers (like the mascarpone cream from my tiramisu latte recipe?!?).
How To Make A Pumpkin Latte At Home
This easy fall favorite comes together in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Whisk together the milk, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until starting to steam and foam.
Step 2: Froth. Remove from heat and froth with a milk frother or whisk. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble. Brew your coffee into a mug and top with the pumpkin milk, foam and all.
Step 4: Garnish with whipped cream and/or cinnamon sugar if desired. Drink up!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte - Use a sugar-free maple syrup alternative or your favorite brown sugar substitute for a diabetic-friendly version of this splendid drink.
- Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte - Simply swap in your favorite plant-based milk! For added pizazz, top with coconut whipped cream.
- Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte - Whether it’s still too hot for a hot coffee, or you’re just a diehard iced coffee fan, this frosty version is for you.
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few fun and festive ways to serve up this beloved autumn beverage:
- Affogato Dessert: Pour your pumpkin spice latte over a scoop of pumpkin or vanilla ice cream for an irresistible affogato that melds hot and cold in a perfect fall treat.
- Spiked Bonfire Brew: Add a splash of bourbon or rum to your latte for a spirited version that’s ideal for sipping around a crackling bonfire.
- Caramel Drizzle: Top your latte with whipped cream and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra sweet touch.
- Add Sparkle: Rim your mugs with cinnamon sugar for a sweet, spiced crunch with every sip.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Bar: Set up a DIY latte bar during your next fall gathering. Offer various toppings like cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, whipped cream, and caramel sauce to let your guests customize their drinks. I do this as a trick-or-treat pre-game every year!
Recipe Success Tips
- Don’t boil the milk. Getting it too hot will scald it, giving your latte a bit of a burnt taste and preventing it from foaming up properly.
- Use pure ingredients. Your maple syrup, vanilla extract, and pumpkin should all be the real deal for the best pumpkin flavor.
- Get a headstart. Not a morning person? Add the pumpkin milk ingredients to a mason jar, whisk to incorporate, and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. In the morning, either zap the jar in the microwave (without the metal lid!), and use a milk frother, or replace the lid and shake to froth. Then all that’s left to do is pull your espresso shots!
FAQs
If you get one from Starbucks, you can expect whole milk (unless otherwise specified), espresso, and their bottled pumpkin sauce (made with pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, natural flavors, juice-based colors, and preservatives), plus an optional topper of whipped cream and cinnamon. Mine is quite similar, but instead of making a separate sauce, I sweeten the milk with pumpkin purée, maple syrup, and spices, then add my espresso.
It depends on a few things—how strongly you brew your espresso, the grind of the beans, the type and roast of espresso beans you use, and how much espresso you add. Generally speaking, espresso ranges from about 45-65mg of caffeine per ounce, so you’re looking at about 90-130mg per double-shot drink.
This year, the Starbucks fall menu (including the PSL) is expected to drop on August 22. There isn’t yet a planned end date that I know of, but they usually make the transition to the winter menu in late November. But, now that you know how to make them yourself, pumpkin spice season is whenever you want it to be!
While all the ingredients are technically gluten-free, because Starbucks uses equipment shared with gluten-containing products, they can’t guarantee their drinks are completely gluten-free. If you have a bad allergy or celiac, it’s best to make yours at home.
It probably depends a little bit on where you live, but generally speaking, a specialty espresso drink from Starbucks (without any modifications) ranges from about $5.25 for a tall to $6.25 for a venti, not including tax or tip. I’m telling you—making your own coffee copycats is the way to go!!
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Nutrition
You're looking at about 241 calories per serving of this delicious DIY pumpkin spice latte, without the whipped cream or cinnamon sugar. It's got 6 grams of fat, which isn't too high, and it also delivers 6 grams of protein—nice little boost there!
As for the carbs, it sits at 39 grams with 34 grams of that coming from sugar. It's a bit on the sweeter side, so it's perfect as an occasional indulgence. Plus, it only has 93 mg of sodium, which is pretty moderate.
All in all, it’s a delightful treat that gives you that festive feel without going overboard on the less healthy stuff. Just balance it out with some less sugary options throughout your day, and you'll be golden! Now go enjoy one while on a brisk walk wrapped up in your favorite scarf, because FALL. 😍🍂
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 241 calories
- Total Fat: 6 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Sodium: 93 mg
- Carbohydrates: 39 grams
- Sugar: 34 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Pumpkin Recipes
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup milk of choice (I used whole milk)
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 oz espresso (or 8 oz brewed coffee)
- Whipped cream and/or cinnamon sugar optional for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together the milk, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until starting to steam and foam.
- Remove from heat and froth with a milk frother or whisk. Set aside.
- Brew your coffee into a mug and top with the pumpkin milk, foam and all. Garnish with whipped cream and/or cinnamon sugar if desired. Drink up!
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
Razia says
It was too watery.
Megan Byrd says
I'm sorry to hear that!
Kristie says
Delicious! I have enjoyed several of your recipes and have loved them! I'm so glad I found you. I can make my own drinks with healthier ingredients and much cheaper than at restaurants. Thank you and keep up the great work!