Pumpkin spice cappuccino – indulge in this Fall delight

Fall is here, which means the leaves are changing color, days are getting colder and shorter and there’s a great excuse to indulge in everything pumpkin spice! So, today let’s talk about pumpkin spice cappuccino. It’s the lesser-known cousin of PSL. And not through any good reason. You know and probably love regular cappuccinos, so why not drink a pumpkin spice version? When I first tried one, I thought I knew what to expect – sure, I’d drunk countless PSLs. But, wow! The different amounts of the ingredients between lattes and cappuccinos make it a totally different experience. So, if you only take one thing from this post – if you know and love pumpkin spice lattes, you have to try pumpkin spice cappuccino.

What is Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino?

Only making its way onto coffee shop menus at the start of Fall. Like many other great coffees, cappuccino starts with 1-2 shots of espresso. To that you add steamed milk and milk foam.

How’s that different to a PSL? I hear you asking. Well, looking at the amounts of the ingredients will help:

• Latte Ratio: 1/3 espresso + 2/3 steamed milk +1cm milk foam
• Cappuccino ratio: 1/3 espresso + 1/3 steamed milk + 1/3 milk foam

So, a cappuccino has less milk and more milk foam. That gives it a stronger coffee flavor. With that deeper intensity, you get a different balance with the pumpkin sauce. The whole coffee tastes more of coffee and pumpkin spice. Whereas a latte is all about the rich creamy milk and just a little velvety foam on top.

To turn your cappuccino into a pumpkin spice coffee, you need to add pumpkin spice sauce, and top off the foam with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spices. Then you suddenly have one of autumn’s great experiences that will keep you warm and cozy all through the season.

The flavors of pumpkin and spices blend perfectly with the rich, velvety taste of espresso to create a flavor explosion in your mouth. Let’s dig into how it tastes.

The Taste of Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino

The unmistakable taste of pumpkin spice cappuccino is a blend of warm, caramel-like pumpkin and rich, bold espresso all balanced with rich creamy milk and velvet smooth foam. Then you get the smell and taste of the tangy warming winter spices.

You will enjoy its flavors which are rich, sweet and comforting, yet tangy and spicy, providing a perfect autumn coffee flavor experience.

In turn, you get both the smell and taste of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. I often feel like I’m drinking the best-tasting pumpkin pie ever. then you get the deeper tones of the coffee. Depending on the beans you use, you can get notes of chocolate, caramel and even brown sugar. Then it’s all topped off, literally, with smooth creamy milk and foam.

You can experiment with different kinds of milk to change the taste and make it exactly how you want your capp. Take a look at my guides to the best dairy milks and best non-dairy milks. I know I wrote these guides for choosing the best milk for lattes, but the milks and how they froth still applies to cappuccinos.

Once you’ve settled on your favorite milk, why not try different coffees? I always start with a classic dark roast espresso – that’s how cappuccinos started. But I’m not afraid to try my pumpkin coffee with medium or even blonde roasts. You will discover so many differences between different coffees. Some won’t be what you are looking for. But, then you will suddenly know what works best for you.

Below, I’ve set out some of my current favorites. You can choose your favorite coffee.

Best Coffee Beans to Use

As with all coffees. You should use the best coffee you can get, and use it fresh. Plus if you grind your beans, grind it just before you need to use it. That way you get to drink the coffee at its best.

A classic Italian cappuccino (Cappuccino comes from Italy), so I have included a classic Italian roast espresso. But, you know there are times when you want a softer more gentle cappuccino. So I’ve included a range of coffee beans including medium roast and even blonde roast.

illy Classico medium roast

Delicious tastes and aromas of caramel and chocolate.

San Francisco Bay Coffee – French Roast

A deeply intense experience of dark roast coffee with notes of chocolate and spices.

Intelligentsia House, light roast whole bean coffee.

So good you may even think you are drinking milk chocolate and citrus flavored coffee.

Starbucks Italian dark roast coffee beans

This amazing coffee has notes of dark chocolate and even toasted marshmallow. Plus, if you love some pleasant bitterness in your cappuccino, you are in for a treat.

Starbucks Blonde Roast Veranda Blend

As a light roast, this allows the flavors of the coffee to come through with very little bitterness. The veranda blend has flavor notes of milk chocolate and malt.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino

Equipment

• Espresso machine or coffee maker
• Steam wand or frother or blender
• Jug
• Cappuccino cup or mug
• spoon
• Set of measuring cups (optional)

Ingredients

• 1-2 shots espresso
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp pumpkin spice syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 spoon Whipping cream (optional)
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon powder or pumpkin pie spice mix (optional)

Method

• Brew a shot of espresso
• While the espresso is brewing steam the milk
• Pour the espresso into a mug
• Add pumpkin sauce to the espresso
• Gently pour the foamed milk over the espresso, holding back the foam to add as a topping
• Stir to combine the ingredients
• Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon or chocolate powder (optional)

Top Tips for Making Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino

• Use the best coffee you have and if starting from beans, freshly grind them for maximum flavor.
• Depending on the espresso machine you have, you may not be able to heat/steam the milk while your espresso is brewing. That’s fine, just wait for the espresso to brew and set it aside while you steam the milk.
• Frothing or steaming your milk is essential to achieve that creamy texture in your latte. There are lots of options, like a steam wand (on most espresso machines). Or a frother – you can use an electric frother or a manual one. Alternatively, a hand blender does a really good job. Last, but only because they are manual processes, you can use a French Press or even a hand whisk.
• To get a good velvety foam be sure to use milk that will froth easily. For some top tips, check out my guides to best dairy milk, or best non-dairy milks. I wrote these guides to help find the best milk for lattes. But they work just the same when making cappuccinos.
• For an unforgettable experience, I make my own pumpkin spice sauce. It’s easier than you think, plus it tastes better than store-bought AND it is way cheaper! So take a look at my pumpkin spice sauce recipe.
• Add a topping of whipped cream to your latte to add to the indulgence factor.
• Finally, for maximum enjoyment, I always make sure I am not interrupted while sipping a pumpkin spice cappuccino.
• Once you’ve got the hang of the recipe, why not try experimenting with adjusting the ingredients? That way you will create your own personal pumpkin capp.
• Adjust the sweetness and spice levels to your liking.

The Bottom Line

Pumpkin spice cappuccino is the perfect coffee drink for the fall season. The warm and spicy flavors blend perfectly with the creamy texture of frothed milk, creating a comforting coffee that cannot fail to help you relax and unwind. I know when I need to take a moment to unwind, nothing works better.

But, here’s the thing – Why not enjoy this calming and relaxing brew year-round. Just think, the next time life has got too much you can brew an espresso steam some milk, add in the pumpkin sauce and unwind!

Other great cold weather coffees

Check out these comforting alternatives when you need cheering up:

• Gingerbread latte – The name shouts fall and winter, but you can have it whenever you want.
• Pumpkin spice latte – pumpkin cappuccinos closest rival, it’s still a winner.
• Mocha latte – I cannot think of a better combination than coffee and chocolate with rich creamy milk.
• Strawberry vanilla latte – You know you just have to have one.