starbucks pumpkin lattes

Calling All PSL Lovers! How to Make Amazing Pumpkin Spice Lattes Yourself

With great patience comes great reward. That’s what Starbucks aficionados count on—waiting, patience, more waiting each year for Starbucks to announce the start of its short Pumpkin Spice Latte season. If that’s you, good news! You can quickly learn to make PSLs at home, any time of the year and whenever you want!

starbucks pumpkin lattes

Image: Starbucks

The ingredients are easily obtained, and the process simple to learn. Get ready to claim your role as your household’s official barista!

A PSL consists of espresso, milk, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, whipped cream, and pumpkin syrup. With basic ingredients and the following recipes, you’ll be turning out delicious copycat PSLs in no time!

Starbucks PSL

Originally created by Starbucks, Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) has developed a cult following. It is so popular, PSL even has its own Twitter account! The downside is that PSL is so stinkin’ expensive. And you have to go there, wait in line, order, then wait some more. At more than—gulp!—$6.00 for a Starbucks venti PSL, that’s quite a price to pay!

One of the essential ingredients in PSL is “pumpkin spice.” Curiously, pumpkin spice has no pumpkin in it at all. It is simply a mix of the spices used to make pumpkin pie. As available as pumpkin pie spice is in the spice aisle of most supermarkets, it’s not exactly cheap!

To pull off this DIY project, you need three recipes—one for  Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix, and Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Pumpkin Spice Latte

(Printable recipe card below)
  • 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice mix (below), plus more to garnish
  • freshly ground black pepper, a pinch
  • 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar (sub with Splenda or Stevia )
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup half and half (whole milk, reduced-fat, or skim milk if you must)
  • 1/4 cup hot espresso OR extra strong brewed coffee
  • sweetened whipped cream for serving
  • Pumpkin Spice Syrup to drizzle across the top (optional, but who can resist?)

Combine the half and half, pumpkin, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, pepper, and vanilla in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and vent with a small hole. Microwave until the half and half is hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is foamy, about 30 seconds.

Pour the espresso or coffee into a large mug and add the hot, foamed mixture. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Yield: 1 large (venti) latte.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix

(Printable recipe card with instructions below)

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup

(Printable recipe card with instructions below)

  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 1½ cups water
  • 6 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoonz ground nutmeg
  • 4 tablespoons pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
A cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte
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5 from 3 votes

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Originally created by Starbucks, Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) has developed a cult following. The downside is that PSL is so stinkin' expensive. And you have to go there, wait in line, order, then wait some more. As the weather is turning crisp and fall-ish, we're gearing up to make Pumpkin Spice Latte—cheaper, better, and faster!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time3 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1
Calories: 336kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin pie mix; pure puree
  • ¼ teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice (see NOTES)
  • 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar OK to sub with Splenda or Stevia
  • pinch ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup half and half (see NOTES)
  • ¼ cup hot espresso OR hot, strong brewed coffee
  • 1 dollop sweetened whipped cream

Instructions

  • Combine half and half, pumpkin, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, pepper, and vanilla in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and vent with a small hole.
  • Microwave until the half and half is hot, 1 to 2 minutes
  • Whisk vigorously until the mixture is foamy, about 30 seconds
  • Pour the espresso or coffee into a large mug and add the hot foamed mixture.
  • Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Note 1: Make sure you are NOT using canned Pumpkin Pie Filling. Please!
Note 2: Pumpkin Pie Spice from the supermarket spice aisle can be pricey. You can make it yourself cheaper, better and faster. Recipe here.
Note 3: Not a fan of half and half? Go ahead and substitute whole, reduced-fat, or skim milk ...( if you must). 
Note 4: Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground mace
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a small bow. Mix well. Store in an airtight container for up to one year.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal
autumn pumpkin spice latte with milk and cream
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5 from 3 votes

Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix

You can buy it in the supermarket, but boy is it pricey! Make it yourself and save a bundle.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Seasoning
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tspn ground ginger
  • ½ tspn allspice
  • ½ tspn ground cloves
  • ½ tspn ground nutmeg
  • ½ tspn ground mace Can substitute ground nutmeg (See NOTE)

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. Store in an airtight container for up to one year. Recipe multiplies well.

Notes

Note 1: Can't find ground mace? Substitute by increasing nutmeg to 1 tspn. 
Note 2: Recipe for Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte
large pumpkin spice latte in paper cup
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5 from 2 votes

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup

The perfect drizzle over your DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte! Or add a shot or two to your next cup of coffee. Sublime!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time2 hours 25 minutes
Course: Beverages
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 beverages
Calories: 155kcal

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup white granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 6 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tspn ground cloves
  • tspn ground ginger
  • 2 tspn ground nutmeg
  • 4 tbsp pumpkin purée NOT pumpkin pie filling!

Instructions

  • Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
  • Once sugar is dissolved, add cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and pumpkin purée, and let simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and immediately strain through cheesecloth.
  • Makes enough syrup for 8 beverages. Keeps up to 7 days in the fridge.

Notes

Can substitute the cloves, ginger and nutmeg with 1 1/2 tablespoon Pumpkin Spice Mix

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 1175IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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