Homemade Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte – Easy Recipe
This homemade copycat Starbucks pumpkin spice latte is warm, comforting, and deeply satisfying. You control the sweetness, spice level, and coffee strength, skipping artificial flavors and preservatives.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 to 2 shots espresso (about 2 ounces, or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk or oat milk)
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Extra pumpkin pie spice for garnish
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until sugar starts to dissolve. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk occasionally and let simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until sugar is dissolved and mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let cool for a minute or two. Optionally, strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a mason jar.
- While syrup cools, brew espresso or strong coffee. Use about 2 ounces of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong coffee per latte.
- Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling (about 150°F). Froth the warm milk using a milk frother until doubled in volume with a layer of foam.
- Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of homemade pumpkin spice syrup into a mug. Pour hot espresso over syrup and stir. Slowly pour frothed milk over coffee, holding back foam with a spoon. Spoon foam on top. Add whipped cream if desired and dust with pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as needed.
Notes
The syrup can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For a dairy-free version, use oat milk (barista blend works best). For an iced version, let syrup cool completely, then combine with espresso and cold milk over ice. For a sugar-free version, use monk fruit sweetener or erythritol. Don’t boil the milk; heat gently until steaming. Don’t skip the salt—it balances the sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 latte
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 8
Keywords: pumpkin spice latte, copycat starbucks, homemade latte, fall drink, pumpkin spice, easy recipe