Coffee Recipes

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Millie Pham

Who else loves that cozy fall vibe? 🍂 A homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte is the perfect way to bring all those warm, comforting flavors of fall into your hot coffee at home.

This recipe is quick, easy, and tastes just like your favorite coffee shop version—but better (and cheaper)!

You’ll love how creamy, perfectly spiced, and just the right amount of sweet it is.

Plus, it’s super family-friendly—make a decaf version for the kids and turn it into a treat for everyone! Let’s whip it up together!

What You’ll Need

  • For the Pumpkin Spice Syrup:
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup sugar (white or brown)
    • 3 tbsp pumpkin puree
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
    • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
    • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • For the Latte:
    • 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy like oat milk)
    • 1/2 cup brewed coffee or 2 shots of espresso
    • 2-3 tbsp pumpkin spice syrup (adjust to taste)
    • Whipped cream, cinnamon, or caramel for topping (optional)

Pro Tips

  1. Make the Syrup Ahead: The pumpkin spice syrup keeps in the fridge for up to a week—make a batch and you’re ready for lattes any time!
  2. Go Non-Dairy: Oat milk or almond milk work beautifully in this recipe and add their own creamy touch.
  3. Adjust the Sweetness: Start with less syrup and add more to your liking! Kids may want a sweeter version, so keep the syrup handy.
  4. Double the Coffee: Want it extra strong? Use two shots of espresso instead of one.
  5. Make It Fun for Kids: Skip the coffee for the kiddos and just make them a warm pumpkin spice milk—they’ll love it!

Tools You’ll Need

  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Coffee maker or espresso machine
  • Milk frother (optional)
  • Mug

Substitutions and Variations

  • No Pumpkin Puree? Use a little extra cinnamon and nutmeg for flavor!
  • No Espresso Machine? Use instant coffee or strong brewed coffee.
  • Different Spices? If you don’t have allspice or cloves, you can just use cinnamon and nutmeg—it’ll still be delicious!

Make-Ahead Tips

  • The pumpkin spice syrup can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the fridge in a sealed jar. Warm it up before using!

Instructions

1. Make the Pumpkin Spice Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly (about 5 minutes). Stir in vanilla extract.

A small saucepan on a stovetop with pumpkin puree, spices, water, and sugar being whisked together

2. Brew the Coffee

While the syrup cools slightly, brew your coffee or make your espresso.

A steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee next to an espresso machine, coffee beans scattered on the counter

3. Heat the Milk

In a small saucepan or using a milk frother, warm the milk until it’s steaming but not boiling. Froth it if you’d like a foamier latte.

Warm milk being frothed in a glass frother, with steam rising

4. Assemble the Latte

In your favorite mug, combine the coffee, 2-3 tbsp of pumpkin spice syrup (adjust to your taste), and the steamed milk. Stir gently. Top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a drizzle of caramel if you’d like!

A latte being assembled in a white ceramic mug, with layers of coffee, syrup, and steamed milk

Leftovers and Storage

  • Store leftover pumpkin spice syrup in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.
  • Reheat syrup gently before using, or stir it cold into iced lattes!

Conclusion

There you have it—a cozy, homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte that’ll make you want to grab a blanket and watch the leaves fall. It’s super easy, customizable, and perfect for sharing with family. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out—leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions. I can’t wait to hear how you make it your own! ☕🍂

Hi there! I'm Millie Pham, a devoted brewer and tea lover at heart. As the founder of Bean Leaf Cup, my mission is to share my tea and coffee expertise with you all. I firmly believe that creating a fantastic cup of tea or coffee should be easy for everyone. No matter if you're already a coffee or tea expert or just beginning your journey, I'm here to help you navigate the world of brewing. Welcome aboard!