Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Latte (Starbucks beater!)

Fall is the perfect time to sit back and enjoy the best pumpkin spice coffee. The aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves mixed with creamy milk and the taste of espresso is like a warm hug on a chilly day. So, whether you’re looking for a warm drink to sip as you curl up with a good book or want a delicious treat to share with friends, a homemade pumpkin spice latte is the perfect choice. Let’s dive straight in so you can start making your perfect pumpkin latte at home.

What is Pumpkin Spice Latte?

OK so you’ve almost certainly had a a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte. Well, what if I said you can make a better version yourself, in the comfort of your own home? Let’s look at what makes a great PSL and then make one with my easy-follow recipe. Then you decide whether it is better than a Starbucks pumpkin latte.

I could tell you all about the blend of coffee and pumpkin spice creates a rich and earthy taste that is warm and comforting.

But you and I both know it starts with the smell of those amazing spices, closely followed by the delicious aromas of the coffee.

Then you get to the taste and everything steps up a level. You get the tangy spices and the mellow notes of the coffee but it’s all balanced by the rich creamy milk and velvety texture of the milk foam. There’s also the sweetness of the pumpkin and any sugar or other sweetener you’ve used.

Put all of this together and I don’t know about you, but it’s all I can do not to make up a pitcher and just keep drinking.

Best Coffee Beans to Use

You might think – what do the beans matter? surely its all about the pumpkin and the spices. Well, try making this amazing latte with any old coffee. Then make one with good quality, fresh beans. You will get the smell and taste of the better coffee. It really will just make everything so much better.

So here are my current favorite beans. However you like your coffee, there is a winner here for you. From Italian dark roast, through mellow medium roasts, all the way to blonde roast coffee beans that will give you more flavor than you can imagine.

• 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 Latte

Once you have made this super simple recipe, you won’t want to make that coffee shop run any more. And you’ll want to drink it year round!

Equipment

• Espresso machine or coffee maker
• Steam wand, frother, blender or whisk
• Steaming/frothing jug
• Mug
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients PSL

• 1 shot of espresso (1/3 cup of strong coffee will work as well)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin spice sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 spoon whipped cream (optional)
• 1 pinch cinnamon powder or chocolate powder (optional)
• 1 pinch salt (optional)
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spices (eco version)
• 2 tsp sugar or other sweetener (eco version)

Method

Eco version

• Brew 1/3 mug strong coffee
• Heat the milk in a small saucepan or microwave safe pot
• Add the pumpkin pie spices and sugar to the milk
• Froth the milk
• Gently pour the foamed milk over the coffee, hold back the foam and spoon on last as a topping
• Sprinkle with chocolate powder

Luxury version

• 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 Latte

• 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.
• 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 for lattes.
• 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.
• For an unforgettable experience I make my own pumpkin spice sauce. Its 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 the maximum enjoyment, I always make sure I am not interrupted while sipping a PSL.
• Once you’ve got the hang of the recipe, why not try experimenting with adjusting the ingredients. That way you will create YOUR PSL
• Adjust the sweetness and spice levels to your liking.
• Use whole milk or non-dairy milk of your choice for a creamier consistency. I am currently loving the barista blend oat milks flooding the market.
• To get that iconic latte art, pour the frothed milk slowly and steadily over the espresso shot and try gently shaping it as it pours. You will improve as you get more practice!

Going beyond the recipe

• Experiment with different coffee blends to find your perfect PSL recipe. I’ve put my choices in this recipe, but feel free to use whatever coffee you enjoy drinking. See how they hold up against the milk and sauce . That way you can decide if you want a stronger brew or a more mellow coffee base.
• Add a pinch of salt to balance out the sweetness of the drink. Seriously, this is a trick all the great chefs use. To balance a sweet dish a touch of salt will make the flavors burst. And it works just as well in lattes (and other coffees!).

The bottom line

Pumpkin coffee is a delicious and satisfying warm drink that is perfect for those chilly autumn evenings. Making a perfect cup of pumpkin spice latte at home is easy with the right equipment and high-quality ingredients. By following our tips, you can create that perfect blend of sweet and spicy that’s sure to become your new fall favorite. So, the next time you’re looking for a warm and comforting drink to relax with, make yourself a cup of pumpkin spice latte and enjoy all the flavors of fall in the comfort of your home.

It’s got to be the ultimate autumn comfort drink. When the days are getting shorter and colder you need something to cheer you up. So don’t delay, brew an espresso and put together a mug full of delicious PSL.

you now know that making a perfect pumpkin spice latte at home is easier than ever! With my easy-follow recipe you can impress your friends and family with your barista skills. And enjoy a cozy, homemade PSL whenever you want.

There’s nothing like enjoying a PSL made exactly how you like it. So don’t be scared to tweak the recipe to your liking. You can experiment with the sauce, milks and coffee blends.

As you’ve read this far, I’m going to let you in on my final secrets for really enjoying a pumpkin latte. Make it just how you like it. AND make it any time you want it. Yes, people will ask why you are drinking it in the middle of summer. But you and I will know!

Other great pumpkin spice coffees

Yes, the my classic PSL is hard to beat. But why not think outside the box with these great coffees:

• Iced pumpkin spice latte
• Pumpkin chai latte
• Iced pumpkin chai latte
• Iced pumpkin coffee
• Pumpkin spice cappuccino