Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin spice season is here! Skip the coffee-shop line and make this easy Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte right in your own kitchen.

Made with espresso, real pumpkin, warm pumpkin pie spices, vanilla, and creamy milk, this homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte has all the cozy fall flavor you want without leaving the house.

Top it with whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, grab your favorite blanket, and you’ve basically created fall in a mug.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

There’s a reason the Pumpkin Spice Latte has become the drink of fall.

It’s warm, creamy, sweet, and filled with cinnamon and pumpkin flavor.

This homemade version is:

• Ready in about 10 minutes
• Made with real pumpkin puree
• Easy to customize
• Less expensive than a coffee-shop latte
• Delicious hot or iced
• Easy to make without an espresso machine
• Perfect for chilly fall mornings

Best of all, you decide exactly how much pumpkin, spice, and sweetness goes into your mug.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Spice Latte

• 2 shots espresso
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• Pinch of salt

For Topping

• Whipped cream
• Pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon

How to Make a Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Step 1: Brew the Espresso

Brew two shots of espresso and pour them into your favorite large coffee mug.

Set aside while you prepare the pumpkin milk.

Step 2: Combine the Pumpkin and Milk

Add the milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and a tiny pinch of salt to a small saucepan.

Step 3: Heat

Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, whisking frequently.

Continue heating until the milk is hot and steaming.

Don’t let it boil.

Step 4: Froth the Milk

Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Use a handheld milk frother to froth the pumpkin milk until it’s creamy and slightly foamy.

Step 5: Combine

Slowly pour the pumpkin milk over the espresso.

Give the drink a gentle stir.

Step 6: Add the Toppings

Top your latte with a generous swirl of whipped cream.

Finish with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.

Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade taste of fall!

What Does a Pumpkin Spice Latte Taste Like?

Despite the name, a Pumpkin Spice Latte isn’t supposed to taste like drinking straight pumpkin.

The flavor is a combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla, espresso, and creamy milk.

The pumpkin gives the drink richness while the spices provide that unmistakable fall flavor.

Espresso keeps the latte from becoming overly sweet and balances all those warm spices.

Use Real Pumpkin Puree

One of the best parts about making a Pumpkin Spice Latte at home is using real pumpkin.

Look for canned 100% pure pumpkin puree.

You’ll only need a couple of tablespoons for one latte, but leftover pumpkin can be refrigerated and used for additional drinks, muffins, pancakes, oatmeal, smoothies, or pumpkin bread.

Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling

They’re not the same thing.

Pumpkin puree is simply cooked and pureed pumpkin.

Pumpkin pie filling generally contains sugar and spices because it’s intended to go directly into a pie.

Since this latte already contains sweetener and pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin pie filling can make the finished drink much too sweet.

Stick with pure pumpkin puree.

What Is Pumpkin Pie Spice?

Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of the warm spices traditionally used in pumpkin pie.

Most blends include:

• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Allspice

The exact combination varies by brand.

You can use your favorite store-bought pumpkin pie spice or make your own.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

No pumpkin pie spice in the pantry?

Make a quick homemade version by combining:

• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Mix everything together and store it in an airtight spice jar.

You’ll have plenty for pumpkin lattes and all your other fall recipes.

Do I Need an Espresso Machine?

No.

An espresso machine will give you the most traditional latte, but there are plenty of alternatives.

Try:

• A Nespresso-style machine
• A moka pot
• Instant espresso
• Strong brewed coffee

If you’re using regular coffee, brew it stronger than you normally would so the coffee flavor isn’t overwhelmed by the milk.

What Milk Is Best for a Pumpkin Spice Latte?

Whole milk will give you an especially rich and creamy latte.

However, you can use almost any milk you like.

Try:

• 2% milk
• Skim milk
• Oat milk
• Almond milk
• Soy milk
• Coconut milk

Barista-style plant milks are particularly good if you want lots of foam.

Make a Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte

This recipe is easy to make dairy-free.

Simply substitute your favorite plant-based milk.

Oat milk is one of my favorites for pumpkin lattes because it’s creamy and has a subtle sweetness that works beautifully with pumpkin and cinnamon.

Finish with dairy-free whipped topping if desired.

How to Froth Milk Without a Frother

No milk frother? No problem.

You can use a blender to briefly blend the heated pumpkin milk until frothy.

Another easy option is to carefully pour the warm milk into a heat-safe jar, secure the lid, and shake until foamy.

Just make sure there’s plenty of room inside the container for the milk to expand.

Make It Sweeter

Prefer a sweeter coffee-shop-style drink?

Add more maple syrup or vanilla syrup.

Brown sugar also works beautifully with pumpkin.

Start with a small amount, taste, and add more until it’s exactly how you like it.

Make It Less Sweet

Reduce the maple syrup or leave out the vanilla syrup.

You can even make the latte without added sweetener if you prefer a much more coffee-forward drink.

That’s one of the advantages of making your favorite coffee drinks at home—you control the sugar.

Make an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

Still 80 degrees outside even though the calendar says fall?

Make it iced!

Prepare the pumpkin mixture but don’t heat the milk.

Combine the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and milk.

Froth or blend until well combined.

Fill a tall glass with ice.

Add two shots of espresso and pour the pumpkin milk over the top.

Stir and finish with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice.

Now you can have all the pumpkin spice flavor without drinking something hot on a warm September afternoon.

Make a Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam Latte

Want to make your iced PSL even better?

Instead of mixing all the pumpkin into your milk, top your iced latte with pumpkin cream cold foam.

Combine:

• 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

Froth until thick but pourable and spoon it over your iced latte.

Add Caramel

Pumpkin and caramel are made for each other.

Drizzle caramel sauce around the inside of your mug before adding the espresso.

Prepare the latte as directed and finish with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and pumpkin spice.

Add Brown Sugar

Replace the maple syrup with brown sugar syrup for a slightly deeper, caramel-like sweetness.

Brown sugar works especially well if you’re making an iced version.

Make It Extra Pumpkiny

If you’re someone who wants to actually taste the pumpkin in your Pumpkin Spice Latte, increase the pumpkin puree slightly.

Start with another teaspoon rather than adding a large amount all at once.

Too much pumpkin can make the drink overly thick.

Make It Extra Spicy

Add an additional pinch of pumpkin pie spice to the milk mixture.

You can also add extra cinnamon.

Just remember that ground spices don’t dissolve completely, so adding too much can make the latte slightly gritty.

Make a Pumpkin Spice Mocha

Chocolate + pumpkin?

Yes, please.

Add 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup or cocoa mixture to the espresso before pouring in your pumpkin milk.

Top with whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice, and chocolate shavings.

What to Serve With a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Turn your homemade PSL into the ultimate fall breakfast or afternoon treat.

Serve it with:

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

It’s also perfect for sipping while decorating for fall, watching a cozy movie, or enjoying a chilly weekend morning.

Tips for the Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Use real pumpkin. Pure pumpkin puree gives you the best flavor.

Don’t boil the milk. Heat it until steaming.

Use fresh espresso. Strong coffee balances the sweet pumpkin mixture.

Taste before adding more sugar. You can always make it sweeter.

Froth after heating. This gives your latte that coffee-shop texture.

Don’t overdo the spices. A little pumpkin pie spice goes a long way.

Don’t skip the salt. That tiny pinch helps balance and enhance the sweet flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Pumpkin Spice Latte Have Pumpkin in It?

This homemade version does! It uses real pumpkin puree for flavor and texture.

Does a Pumpkin Spice Latte Have Caffeine?

Yes, when prepared with regular espresso.

You can easily make a decaf version using decaffeinated espresso.

Can I Make It Without Coffee?

Yes.

Leave out the espresso and increase the milk slightly to make a pumpkin spice steamer.

It’s a great caffeine-free fall drink.

Can I Make It Ahead?

The pumpkin milk mixture can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Use it within about 3 days and shake or stir well before reheating.

Can I Use Regular Coffee?

Yes. Use approximately 1/2 cup of strongly brewed coffee in place of the espresso.

Can I Double the Recipe?

Absolutely.

Double the ingredients and make two lattes at once.

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

You don’t need a coffee-shop run to officially kick off pumpkin spice season.

This Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is warm, creamy, full of pumpkin and cozy spices, and easy enough to make whenever the craving hits.

Make it hot when there’s finally a chill in the air or pour it over ice during those stubbornly warm September afternoons.

Either way, add the whipped cream.

It’s pumpkin spice season, after all.