pumpkin latte on your mind? then don’t worry about getting it from a coffee house, we’ve a better idea – use our pumpkin spice latte recipe to make the most delicious version from the comfort of your home. you have full control over what goes into it – adjust sweetness, pumpkin puree and spices, just the way you like.
by the way, pumpkin latte had no pumpkin when it was created, only pumpkin spices! we’ve more interesting stuff about this amazing drink, and we can’t wait to share it with you. so, join us to learn about the pumpkin spice latte recipe and fascinating facts about this drink.
What is a pumpkin spice latte?
You may have seen pumpkin spice lattes popping up on your Instagram or Pinterest feed, advertised in your local coffee shop window or carried in the hands of your favourite TV characters. But you may still be unclear on what a pumpkin spice latte is, never fear; we are here to fill you in with all the details.
A pumpkin latte combines a sweet and spicy flavour, made with a coffee base and topped with steamed milk and a blend of spices, typically including some of the following: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. Usually, a pumpkin spice flavouring will be added, including pumpkin puree. Finally, a pumpkin spice latte recipe is usually topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
Does the description have you craving one right now? Luckily for you, up next, we dive into how to make pumpkin spice latte with our delicious pumpkin spice latte recipe.
history of the pumpkin spice latte
back in 2003, starbucks hit a sweet spot with a drink, making it a super popular drink for the fall season in the us. they called it the pumpkin spice latte (or psl) …but they almost went with a different name, as revealed by its creator. initially brainstorming hundreds of names, they narrowed it down to 20 after careful consideration and customer surveys.
interestingly, customers favoured the name "chocolate and caramel", but nothing was finalised. meanwhile, the starbucks team kept working on the final recipe for the drink for three months. but they were still without a unique name.
the team eventually settled on “pumpkin spice latte”, recognising the spices' crucial role in enhancing pumpkin flavours and highlighting the espresso. after a successful test run in about 100 stores in washington and vancouver, it debuted across the usa and canada in 2004.
but there’s more to the story of this tasty drink! it goes way back, linked to the history of pumpkin pie spice. this spice mix, with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves, has been around for ages, dating back to ancient spice trading. the psl brought these comforting flavours to the forefront, turning it into a popular drink that's not limited to just the fall season.
How to make pumpkin spice latte?
explore all the ingredients used in the pumpkin spice latte recipe and follow the step-by-step guide and other details to enjoy the authentic version of this drink whenever you feel like it.
Total Servings:-
2
Preparation Time:-
5 Minutes
Cooking Times:-
5 minutes
Nutritional Value:-
222 calories, 8g fat, 29g carbs, 8g protein
Recipe Category:-
drink
Cuisine:-
western
equipment:
- small pot or saucepan
- mugs
- milk frother
- whisk
- espresso maker (optional)
here are all the steps of our pumpkin spice recipe.
ingredients
- 2 shots of espresso or ½ cup of strong coffee.
- 2 cups of milk
- 4 tbsp of pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp of cinnamon (save half for dusting)
- ¼ tsp of nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ginger
- 1½ tsp of vanilla extract
- whipped cream for topping
- 2 to 4 tbsp of sugar (sweeten to taste or make it sugar-free)
pumpkin spice latte recipe notes:
coffee: use whichever coffee you can make at home; we recommend either 2 shots of espresso or half a cup of strong coffee.
milk: feel free to go with either whole milk or any of the non-dairy alternatives you like for this pumpkin spice latte recipe.
pumpkin puree: you’ve got a choice here – go for the convenience of canned puree or make it yourself (yes, you can totally do it, and it's easy!). if you like a bolder pumpkin flavour, just increase the amount of puree.
spices: usually, pumpkin spice latte recipes use ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. however, there are no strict rules, and you can try your combination. these spices give the drink a warm, cosy and slightly sweet flavour profile.
vanilla extract: adding vanilla extract makes the drink taste and smell better with a sweet and creamy touch. it also helps recreate the flavours you get in the café version of the drink.
instructions
- gather the ingredients: before we start working on the pumpkin spice latte recipe, get all the stuff you need ready on your kitchen counter - makes it easier to work on a new recipe.
- make coffee: choose your preferred method for making espresso and make 2 shots (or half a cup of strong coffee). pour a shot into each mug and set them aside – we'll use them in a moment in the pumpkin spice latte recipe.
- heat the milk: grab a small pot or saucepan and pop it on the stove. pour the milk and sugar and heat them up – bringing the milk close to a simmer (we’re just heating it, so be careful not to boil it).
- spice it up: remove it from heat and add in the pumpkin puree, spices and vanilla essence. give it a good stir – you want all the ingredients to blend nicely.
- make it frothy: now, grab a milk frother to make it frothy, and then pour it into the coffee mugs.
- finishing touch: voila! it’s ready. just garnish your drink with some whipped cream and cinnamon dusting.
after successfully making the pumpkin spice latte recipe, check out other interesting recipes at teapigs – like chai latte, matcha latte and caramel latte.
Secret tricks and tips to make the best pumpkin latte
presentation and serving ideas add to the experience of a drink, and the same goes for psl. here are some suggestions to create a delicious and visually appealing drink:
caramel finish: give a café style finish to your psl by drizzling some caramel on top. the sweet and buttery notes of caramel complement the warm spices.
cinnamon stick stirrer: use a cinnamon stick as a stirrer for an unusual presentation. not only does it make the aroma stronger, but it also adds a touch of visual flair to your latte.
glorious glassware: instead of using a standard coffee mug, use the glassware that showcases the beauty of your psl. clear glass mugs or tall, slender glasses can be great choices.
iced psl: our guide shows how to make pumpkin spice latte as a hot drink – the iced one is similar. just chill your psl! pour it over ice and enjoy the cool twist in warm weather – that’s almost all there is to an iced pumpkin spice latte recipe.
pair it with treats: pair your pumpkin latte with treats like fresh croissant, pumpkin scones, carrot cake, ham and cheese sandwich.
conclusion
pumpkin spice latte is one of those drinks that was started by a corporate house but got so popular that almost every café has it on their menu. even coffee enthusiasts enjoy experimenting with it at home.
now you too can do that, using our guide. it has everything you’ll need for this drink – from knowing more about its history and learning how to make pumpkin spice latte recipe at home, to serving and presentation ideas. so, if this has been on your to-do list, just go ahead!
FAQs on pumpkin spice latte
Q. what's the secret to a perfect foam in my latte?
A. the secret to a perfect latte foam lies in the milk and its frothing process. it’s easy – just tilt the mug at an angle and let the frother do its job for about 20 to 30 seconds or until you’re happy with the froth.
Q. What is the taste of a pumpkin spice latte?
A. A pumpkin spice latte recipe blends sweet with a little bit of spice. It typically has a warm, creamy taste that reminds many people of the taste of pumpkin pie.
Q. Why is a pumpkin spice latte so sweet?
A. The pumpkin puree adds a natural sweetness to the pumpkin spice latte recipe, making it sweet and delicious. Furthermore, maple syrup is included in the pumpkin spice latte recipe as a sweetener. You can adjust the amount of maple syrup used based on your preferences.
