Kat's Kitchen

As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets crisp, there’s nothing more comforting than a Pumpkin Spice Latte. This homemade version brings all the cozy fall flavors right to your kitchen, and it’s so easy to make! Whether you’re a pumpkin spice fanatic or just looking to switch up your coffee routine, this recipe will quickly become a seasonal favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tablespoons Homemade Pumpkin Syrup or Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce
• 2 shots of espresso (See my 5 Ways To Make Espresso blog post for various espresso making methods).
• 8-10 ounces 2% milk, or your milk of choice
• Ice cubes – omit for a hot PSL
• Whipped cream (for topping)
• Pumpkin pie spice (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Brew Your Espresso: Add the pumpkin syrup to a cup, and then brew two shots of espresso over the top. See my 5 Ways To Make Espresso blog post for various espresso making methods.
2. Stir to mix: Stir until the syrup and espresso are fully combined.
3. Add Milk (and Ice): For an Iced PSL: Pour in the 2% milk, and fill the cup up with ice. Stir everything together to combine the flavors and chill the entire drink. For a Hot PSL, steam the milk first before pouring over pumpkin espresso mixture.
4. Garnish: Add whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice over the top and enjoy your homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

How To Make Espresso

See my 5 Ways To Make Espresso At Home blog post for step by step instructions of the various at home espresso making method!

How To Steam Milk For a Hot Latte

All hot lattes require steamed milk as one of the ingredients. To steam milk at home, you have a few options:

1. Steam Wand: If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand attached to it, watch this Milk Steaming Video Tutorial for how to steam milk! You simply add milk to a milk frothing pitcher, insert the tip of the steam wand into the milk, and create air bubbles, heat and texture to create perfect, velvety steamed milk at home!
2. Electric Milk Frother: Add your milk to an electric milk frother, and select the hot setting. The milk frother will heat the milk as well as create a thick and foamy texture. The texture will be a little different than a typical steam wand, but it’s very similar and pleasant, and a great option if you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand.
3. Handheld Milk Frother: Add cold milk to a large coffee mug and place the mug in the microwave for 60 seconds. Alternatively, you can heat up milk in a pot on the stove until warm, just make sure to constantly stir it so it doesn’t burn. Once your milk is warm, insert a handheld milk frother into the warm milk. Froth the mixture until the milk doubles in size and becomes bubbly and frothy, and you have steamed milk for your hot latte!

Note, for an iced latte, you do not need to warm or steam the milk. Simply skip this step, and use cold milk straight from the fridge.

Helpful Tips:

• Customize Your Milk: Feel free to swap out the 2% milk for almond milk, oat milk, or any other milk alternative you like.
• Make It Decaf: If you want to enjoy this treat in the evening without the caffeine, use decaf espresso or coffee. Or eliminate the coffee completely and make a warm and cozy Pumpkin Pie Steamer!
• Add Extra Sweetness: If you like your lattes on the sweeter side, add more pumpkin syrup in the drink, or drizzle a caramel sauce on top of the whipped cream!
• Lower the sugar: For a lower sugar PSL, use a sugar free pumpkin syrup or sauce like these:
  • Torani Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie Syrup
  • Torani Zero Calorie Pumpkin Spice Sauce

What Ratios Does Starbucks Use?

I like my lattes to be a bit more coffee tasting than milky tasting, so my ratios are a slightly different from Starbucks. If you want to most accurately replicate the Starbucks ratios for a pumpkin latte, follow these ratios:

ICED STARBUCKS PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

	TALL	GRANDE	VENTI
PUMPKIN SYRUP/SAUCE	3 PUMPS (1.5 TBSP)	4 PUMPS (2 TBSP)	6 PUMPS (3 TBSP)
ESPRESSO SHOTS	1	2	3
MILK	8 OUNCES	10 OUNCES	14 OUNCES
ICE	TO TOP OF CUP	TO TOP OF CUP	TO TOP OF CUP

HOT STARBUCKS PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

How To Make This Dairy Free?

To make a dairy free pumpkin spice latte:

• Use any dairy free milk instead of 2% milk: oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc
• Use a dairy free whipped topping! Most grocery stores sell oat milk or coconut milk whipped topping options or you can make your own homemade dairy free whipped cream.

How To Make This Lower Sugar/Lower Calories?

To make a lower sugar/lower calorie pumpkin spice latte at home, make as many of the modifications below as you would like:

1. Make a sugar free Homemade Pumpkin Syrup using a sugar substitute or use a sugar free store bought syrup like the Torani Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie Syrup or the Torani Zero Calorie Pumpkin Spice Sauce.
2. Use unsweetened almond milk instead of 2% milk.
3. Use a sugar free whipped topping or skip the whipped cream altogether.

Making your own Pumpkin Spice Latte at home is a fun and rewarding way to embrace the fall season. Plus, you’ll save money and be able to enjoy your favorite seasonal drink anytime you want!

More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love

• Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cold Brew
• Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve