Copycat Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte

Skip the coffee shop and make a Copycat Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte right at home! This easy fall drink combines sweet and spicy chai, creamy milk, plenty of ice, and a thick layer of homemade pumpkin cream cold foam.

If you love pumpkin spice but aren’t always in the mood for coffee, this is the fall drink for you.

The spicy chai pairs perfectly with sweet pumpkin cream, creating a drink that’s creamy, refreshing, and packed with cozy fall flavor.

And the best part? You can make it in about five minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai

There’s a lot to love about this Starbucks-inspired fall drink.

Ready in about 5 minutes
No espresso machine required
Packed with pumpkin spice flavor
Easy to customize
Deliciously creamy
Perfect for warm September afternoons
Much less expensive than making a coffee-shop run

It’s also an easy drink to recreate because you only need a handful of ingredients.

Ingredients

For the Iced Chai Latte

1/2 cup chai tea concentrate
1/2 cup milk
Ice

For the Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

For Garnish

Pumpkin pie spice

How to Make a Copycat Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte

Step 1: Fill Your Glass With Ice

Fill a tall glass about three-quarters full with ice.

You’ll want plenty of ice because this drink is best served very cold.

Step 2: Add the Chai

Pour the chai tea concentrate over the ice.

Step 3: Add the Milk

Pour your milk over the chai.

Give everything a quick stir to combine.

Now it’s time for the best part: pumpkin cream.

Step 4: Make the Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam

Combine the heavy whipping cream, milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla syrup, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice in a small glass or measuring cup.

Using a handheld milk frother, froth the mixture for approximately 20 to 30 seconds.

The pumpkin cream should become thick and fluffy while remaining pourable.

Step 5: Add the Pumpkin Cream

Slowly pour the pumpkin cream cold foam over the iced chai.

Let it sit right on top of the drink rather than stirring it in.

Step 6: Add Pumpkin Spice

Finish your drink with a light sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Add a straw and enjoy!

What Does an Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Taste Like?

Imagine a traditional iced chai latte dressed up for pumpkin spice season.

Chai already contains many of the flavors we associate with fall, including cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom.

Then you add a sweet, creamy pumpkin cold foam on top.

As you drink it, the pumpkin cream slowly blends into the chai, creating an extra-creamy drink with layers of pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, and warm chai spices.

It’s sweet, spicy, creamy, and refreshing all at once.

What Is Chai Concentrate?

Chai concentrate is a strongly brewed, usually sweetened blend of black tea and spices that’s designed to be mixed with milk.

Using a concentrate makes homemade iced chai lattes incredibly easy.

You can find chai concentrate near the tea, coffee, or shelf-stable beverages at many grocery stores.

Different brands vary significantly in sweetness and spice, so use one you already enjoy.

If your concentrate is particularly sweet, you may want to reduce the vanilla or maple syrup in your pumpkin cream.

Can I Make My Own Chai?

Absolutely.

If you don’t have chai concentrate, brew a strong cup of chai tea instead.

Use approximately two chai tea bags for 1/2 cup of hot water. Allow the tea to steep according to the package directions, then remove the tea bags.

Add sweetener if desired and let the tea cool completely before assembling your iced drink.

Making the tea stronger than you normally would helps prevent the flavor from becoming diluted by the milk and ice.

What Milk Should I Use?

You can use whichever milk you prefer.

Whole milk creates an especially creamy chai latte, while 2% milk works beautifully too.

For a dairy-free iced chai, try:

Oat milk
Almond milk
Coconut milk
Soy milk

Oat milk is particularly good with chai because its creamy texture complements the warm spices.

Don’t Use Pumpkin Pie Filling

When you’re shopping for the pumpkin in this recipe, make sure the can says 100% pure pumpkin.

Pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling are not the same thing.

Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices. Since we’re adding our own sweetener and pumpkin pie spice, using pie filling can make the cold foam much too sweet.

How to Make the Best Pumpkin Cold Foam

A handheld milk frother makes this incredibly easy.

Combine your ingredients in a container with enough room for the cream to expand and froth for about 20 to 30 seconds.

Stop once the mixture is thick and fluffy.

You don’t want to continue whipping until it becomes whipped cream.

The perfect pumpkin cold foam should be thick enough to sit on top of your chai but thin enough that you can still pour it.

What If I Don’t Have a Milk Frother?

No problem!

You have a few other options.

Add the pumpkin cream ingredients to a small blender and blend briefly until foamy.

You can also put everything into a mason jar, secure the lid tightly, and shake vigorously until the mixture becomes thick and foamy.

Make Your Pumpkin Chai Sweeter

How sweet your drink turns out will depend largely on your chai concentrate.

If you like a sweeter iced chai, add:

Vanilla syrup
Brown sugar syrup
Maple syrup
Honey
Simple syrup

Start with a small amount, taste, and add more as needed.

Remember that the pumpkin cream is also sweet, so you may find that you don’t need any additional sweetener.

Make It Less Sweet

If you’re using sweetened chai concentrate, the drink may already have plenty of sweetness.

You can reduce the vanilla syrup and maple syrup in the pumpkin cream or use an unsweetened chai concentrate.

That’s one of the biggest advantages of making coffee-shop drinks at home—you get to decide exactly how sweet they are.

Turn It Into a Dirty Pumpkin Chai

Want some extra caffeine?

Turn your Pumpkin Cream Chai into a dirty chai!

Add one or two shots of espresso to the chai before adding the pumpkin cream.

The espresso adds a bold coffee flavor that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin and chai spices.

For an iced version, let the espresso cool for a minute before pouring it over the ice.

Try a Brown Sugar Pumpkin Chai

Brown sugar and chai are fantastic together.

Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar syrup to your iced chai before topping it with pumpkin cream.

The caramel-like flavor of the brown sugar makes the drink taste even more like fall.

Make It Dairy-Free

You can easily make the chai portion dairy-free by using your favorite plant-based milk.

For the pumpkin cold foam, substitute a plant-based heavy cream or a dairy-free creamer that’s designed to froth.

Oat-based creamers are particularly good for pumpkin cold foam.

The texture may vary depending on the product you use, so you may need to experiment with the ratio slightly.

Can I Make Pumpkin Cream Ahead of Time?

Yes!

If you’re planning on making several pumpkin drinks throughout the week, make a larger batch of the pumpkin cream mixture.

Combine the ingredients and store the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The pumpkin may settle while it sits, so shake or stir the mixture before using it.

For the fluffiest cold foam, wait to froth your portion until immediately before making your drink.

Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Variations

Once you’ve made the basic version, have some fun with it.

Caramel Pumpkin Chai: Add caramel syrup to the chai.

Brown Sugar Pumpkin Chai: Add brown sugar syrup before topping with pumpkin cream.

Maple Pumpkin Chai: Add a little extra maple syrup for a stronger maple flavor.

Dirty Pumpkin Chai: Add one or two shots of espresso.

Extra-Spiced Pumpkin Chai: Sprinkle additional cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice over the cold foam.

Vanilla Pumpkin Chai: Add vanilla syrup directly to the chai for an extra-sweet treat.

Can I Make This Hot?

Yes!

Prepare your chai with hot steamed milk instead of pouring it over ice.

For the topping, you can still use pumpkin cream or lightly whip the pumpkin cream and spoon it over the top.

Finish with pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.

It’s a great variation to save for later in the season when those chilly fall mornings finally arrive.

What to Serve With Pumpkin Cream Chai

Turn your homemade chai into a full fall treat by serving it with:

Pumpkin muffins
Apple bread
Cinnamon rolls
Apple cider donuts
Pumpkin scones
Banana bread
Coffee cake
Snickerdoodle cookies
Pumpkin bread
Maple donuts

It’s also a fun drink to serve for a fall brunch, girls’ night, or cozy movie afternoon.

Tips for the Best Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai

Use plenty of ice. This drink is best really cold.

Start with chilled chai concentrate. That keeps the ice from melting too quickly.

Use pure pumpkin. Avoid pumpkin pie filling.

Froth cold ingredients. Cold heavy cream creates better cold foam.

Taste before adding extra sweetener. Many chai concentrates are already sweetened.

Don’t over-froth. Stop while the pumpkin cream is thick but still pourable.

Add the foam last. Don’t stir it into the chai. Part of the experience is drinking the chai through that creamy pumpkin layer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Pumpkin Cream Chai Have Coffee?

Not normally. Chai is made with tea rather than coffee.

However, chai generally contains caffeine because it’s typically made with black tea.

You can also add espresso to make a dirty chai.

Does an Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Have Caffeine?

Usually, yes. Most chai tea concentrates contain black tea and therefore contain caffeine.

The exact amount will depend on the brand of chai concentrate you use.

Can I Use Decaf Chai?

Yes. Use a decaffeinated chai tea if you’d like to reduce or avoid caffeine.

Can I Make It Without Heavy Cream?

Yes, although the cold foam won’t be quite as rich.

Try a frothable dairy or plant-based creamer instead.

Can I Double the Pumpkin Cream Recipe?

Absolutely. You can double or triple the pumpkin cream mixture and refrigerate it for future drinks.

Can I Use Homemade Pumpkin Puree?

Yes. Just make sure it’s smooth. Homemade pumpkin puree can contain more water than canned pumpkin, so the texture of your cold foam may be slightly different.