Pumpkin Spice Latte

This homemade pumpkin spice latte rivals any coffee shop version I've tried. It's creamy, warmly spiced, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.

Pumpkin spice latte

The next time you’re craving a pumpkin spice latte, save yourself a trip to a coffee shop, and make this recipe at home!

By October, I always feel like I should share some kind of pumpkin-y treat on the blog, and this year, I thought a homemade version of the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte would be fun. I know it’s a bit of a fall cliché at this point, so I was surprised by how much I ended up loving this recipe. Creamy, cozy, and lightly sweet, it’s warming and comforting on a cool fall morning or crisp afternoon. It’s simple to make, too. It calls for basic ingredients like coffee, real pumpkin, warm spices, and maple syrup, and you can mix it up on the stove in right around 5 minutes…even less time than it takes to run out to the nearest Starbucks.

Pumpkin spice latte recipe ingredients

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this pumpkin spice latte recipe:

  • Pumpkin, of course! A few tablespoons of canned pumpkin puree enhance the latte’s creamy texture and add essential pumpkin flavor.
  • Espresso, cold brew, or strong coffee – I use 2 shots of espresso or a half cup of either type of coffee.
  • Milk – Any type you like! I typically use almond milk because it’s what I keep on hand, but oat milk and regular milk are also great.
  • Maple syrup – It sweetens the latte and adds delicious maple flavor.
  • Pumpkin pie spice – I make my own with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves. It gives this latte the perfect “pumpkin spice” taste!
  • Vanilla extract – For warm depth of flavor.
  • And a pinch of sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Whisking coffee mixture in small saucepan

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

I love that you don’t need any special equipment to make this recipe–no espresso machine, no milk frother–just a small saucepan and a whisk!

Heat the milk, espresso, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in the saucepan over low heat. Whisk until everything is well combined and heated through. That’s it!

Pour your PSL into a mug. Feel free to top with whipped cream or coconut whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, and an extra dusting of pumpkin pie spice, if you like, or enjoy the latte on its own.

Happy fall!

Pumpkin spice latte recipe

More Favorite Fall Treats

If you love this recipe, try one of these cozy fall treats next:

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

rate this recipe:
5 from 26 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Serves 1
This homemade pumpkin spice latte is one of our favorite coffee drinks! Creamy, cozy, and warmly spiced, it's perfect for crisp fall mornings or cool afternoons.

Ingredients

  • 2 shots espresso or ½ cup cold brew or strongly brewed coffee
  • 1 cup milk, any kind
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Heaping ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for dusting
  • Pinch sea salt
  • Whipped cream, for topping, optional
  • Cinnamon sticks, for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • In a small pot, combine the espresso, milk, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Whisk over low heat until well combined and warmed through.
  • Pour into a mug. If desired, top with whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin pie spice and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

30 comments

5 from 26 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. cheval
    10.28.2024

    5 stars
    Delicious and smells incredible. Perfect fall drink! For two people, I used about a half of a small French press, and I reduced the amount of maple syrup.

  2. Yum!
    10.14.2024

    5 stars
    This was excellent! I doubled the espresso and left everything else the same (I like strong coffee flavour)

    It was a huge hit! Effortless and everyone loved it ❤️

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      10.15.2024

      I’m so glad you loved it!

  3. Michell
    10.12.2024

    5 stars
    I just made this and it is delicious. Love that I can customize to my taste for sweetness and type of milk. Will definitely make again.

  4. Samantha
    10.08.2024

    5 stars
    How many ounces does this make in total??

  5. Lisa
    09.29.2024

    5 stars
    Delicious! I don’t like overly sweet drinks so I reduced the the maple syrup to 1/2 T, and it was perfect!

  6. Waheda
    08.30.2024

    5 stars
    Hello, for some reason when I make this drink I can taste bits in it, is it because the pumpkin purée hasnt fully mixed in with the other ingredients?

    It is a very nice drink though I love making this it’s just the bits in my drink, I don’t know how to get rid of it .

    Thanks!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      08.30.2024

      Hi Waheda, it sounds like it is due to the pumpkin puree! For a smoother texture, you could blend the ingredients in a blender, then warm the latte on the stove.

    • Georgiann
      09.28.2024

      Probably the spices such as nutmeg!

  7. angie
    05.14.2024

    how many millimetres does this make?

  8. Colleen
    03.10.2024

    Maybe this a dumb question, but how do you make espresso without special equipment?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      03.11.2024

      Hi Colleen, we use an espresso machine to make actual espresso – if you don’t have one, cold brew coffee or strongly brewed coffee both work well here.

  9. Nil Eren
    01.21.2024

    5 stars
    It is very easy to make. This is the best pumpkin spice latte I have ever had. I didn’t use a can of pureed pumpkin. I made it myself. Thank you very much for the recipe.

  10. Joy
    11.07.2023

    5 stars
    Easily the best copycat PSL I’ve tried! Similar color and flavor as Starbucks! Absolutely delicious! This deserves 10/5 stars

  11. Theresa
    11.04.2023

    Can this be made with just hot water added to all the ingredients or made ahead of time and warmed up?

  12. Pat
    09.23.2023

    5 stars
    I always thought the texture would be strange with purée in the coffee, even though I love PSL. I decided to try this today and it’s delicious and now healthy too. Thanks for the recipe!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      09.27.2023

      Hi Pat, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  13. Amanda Hood
    11.30.2022

    5 stars
    Made a pumpkin spice latte this afternoon. Interesting flavours. Definitely make it again

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      12.02.2022

      Hi Amanda, So glad you enjoyed it!

  14. PJ
    10.22.2022

    5 stars
    Very good! Not too sweet, not too “milky”, I love it!
    I used regular milk and no whipped cream on top, but did not miss it ?

    And I also used my homemade pumpkin puree, from butternut squash and a part of Naples squash (the long, large one, it’s called Der Lange von Neapel in German)

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      10.23.2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  15. ann
    10.07.2022

    my daughter has been steaming fresh pumpkin for our psl.
    it is difficult to get the canned ones in our country.

    i have to ask where is your pretty glass mug from?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      10.08.2022

      Hi Ann, I’m glad she’s been enjoying them. The mugs are Anchor Hocking 16 ounce Glass Cafe Coffee Mugs – they’re from amazon.

  16. Heather
    10.05.2022

    5 stars
    I am in heaven right now!! I just made this pumpkin latte and sitting down to chart and this is the absolute perfect amount of sweetness. I love that the taste of the pumpkin comes through and made it with Chobani extra creamy oat milk and coconut whipped cream. This will be on repeat. Thank you for such a simple and sublime recipe.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      10.08.2022

      I’m so glad you loved it!

  17. Sabrina from newkitchenlife.com
    10.03.2022

    great version of a pumpkin latte, much appreciated since I’ve been paying way too much for these at the local coffee shop

    • Joy
      10.15.2022

      Very very good. I’m dairy free and it’s been difficult to find a PSL without dairy. I haven’t found a good recipe to make at home until now! I used strong coffee and Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Oatmilk. Since I used the oat milk I used two tablespoons of maple syrup. Will make again!

      • Jeanine Donofrio
        10.16.2022

        I’m so glad you enjoyed!

  18. debbie
    10.02.2022

    Love this!! Is your recipie and comments for your coconut cream in your cookbook?

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Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.