Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
This Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte copycat is rich, creamy and full of real pumpkin flavor- no artificially flavored syrups here. Made with pumpkin purée, warm spices and fresh espresso, it's a cozy fall drink that tastes like the real deal (or better).
Perfect for crisp fall mornings or whenever pumpkin spice season calls your name, this homemade version is easy to make and feels like a treat without a trip to the coffee chain.
As much as I love summer, I am one of those girls who starts craving a PSL in August! Here are some more pumpkin recipes you may also love: Pumpkin Cold Foam or Pumpkin Chai Latte.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Made with Real Ingredients: No processed syrups, just pure pumpkin, whole milk and fresh espresso.
- Warm and Cozy Flavors: Pumpkin pie spice and a touch of black pepper bring depth and balance.
- Customizable: Make it dairy-free, adjust the sweetness or skip the whipped cream.
- Cheaper than Takeout: Skip the line and save money by making this at home.
- Perfect for the Season (or any time): This is a must-have for chilly mornings, fall gatherings or slow weekends at home.
Ingredients
You probably already have many items needed for this simple recipe; otherwise, a quick trip to the grocery store and you will be all set.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Pumpkin Purée: Adds natural pumpkin flavor and creamy texture.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Provides the classic blend of fall spices without added sugar like syrup.
- Ground Black pepper: Enhances the spice blend with subtle warmth.
- Espresso: Strong coffee flavor forms the base of the drink.
For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a medium saucepan, measuring cups and spoons and a whisk. If you want to make your own whipped topping you will need a stand mixer with whisk attachment or a hand mixer.
Variations
- Dairy-Free Option: Use oat milk, almond milk or soy milk instead of whole milk and heavy cream.
- Brown Sugar: Swap in brown sugar for a richer, molasses-like sweetness.
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup: Make a batch with pumpkin purée, sugar and spices for quick lattes throughout the week.
- Cold Brew Version: Replace espresso with cold brew and skip the heating step for an iced latte.
- Smaller Size: Cut all quantities in half for a solo serving or when using smaller mugs.
How to Make a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
This cozy fall drink comes together quickly with just a few steps.
In a medium saucepan add the pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and black pepper over medium heat. Whisk the whole time for about 90 seconds.
Add the granulated sugar and continue whisking until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat momentarily to prevent burning.
Reduce the heat to low, pour whole milk and pure vanilla extract into the saucepan and return to the heat. Allow it to warm up but not come to a boil. Stir periodically.
If making your own whipped topping, follow this step: Add cold heavy cream to a stand mixer and whip on medium speed for about 4 minutes or until stiff peaks. Set aside.
Make your espresso shots and add to your serving glasses.
Divide your latte mixture between both glasses and top with whipped cream.
Hint: Prep the pumpkin spice base in advance and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Recipe Tips
- Hot or Iced: This drink is just as good chilled, simply pour over ice and use cold espresso or cold brew.
- Glass: Serve in a cozy mug, a clear heatproof glass or a festive fall tumbler.
- Garnishes: Freshly whipped cream, a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon is our favorite way to serve this latte.
- Espresso Machine or Not: You can use a stovetop Moka pot, strong brewed coffee or instant espresso if needed.
- Don't Let it Boil: When heating the milk mixture, keep it just below a simmer to avoid scalding the milk or changing the flavor.
If you love making copycat recipes, you have to try our Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate.
More Drinks
Serving Suggestions
- Pumpkin Recipes: Pumpkin Banana Bread, Pumpkin Pie using Sweetened Condensed Milk, pumpkin muffins or pumpkin scones.
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte FAQs
It can be! You're using real ingredients and can control the sugar, milk and cream to fit your needs.
Absolutely. Multiply the recipe and keep the milk mixture warm in a slow cooker or thermos for easy pouring.
Not at all, it simply enhances the other spices for a more balanced, bold flavor.
More Recipes You Will Love
Check out some more of our recipes you will want to try!
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Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Whisk
- Stand Mixer with Whisk Attachment if making whipped topping
Ingredients
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 shots espresso divided *see note
- ¾ cup heavy cream cold, optional for whipped topping
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add the pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and black pepper over medium heat. Whisk the whole time for about 90 seconds.
- Add the granulated sugar and continue whisking until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat momentarily to prevent burning.
- Reduce the heat to low, pour whole milk and pure vanilla extract into the saucepan and return to the heat. Allow it to warm up but not come to a boil. Stir periodically.
- If making your own whipped topping add cold heavy cream to a stand mixer and whip on medium speed for about 4 minutes or until stiff peaks. Set aside.
- Make your espresso shots and add to your serving glasses.
- Divide your latte mixture between both glasses and top with whipped cream.
Video
Notes
- Hot or Iced: This drink is just as good chilled, simply pour over ice and use cold espresso or cold brew.
- Glass: Serve in a cozy mug, a clear heatproof glass or a festive fall tumbler.
- Garnishes: Freshly whipped cream, a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon is our favorite way to serve this latte.
- Espresso Machine or Not: You can use a stovetop Moka pot, strong brewed coffee or instant espresso if needed.
- Don't Let it Boil: When heating the milk mixture, keep it just below a simmer to avoid scalding the milk or changing the flavor.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any modifications, let us know how they turned out.
I will never buy a coffee again. This was amazing.
Haha, that is awesome. Love it. Thanks so much for the review- happy you loved it.
I am a big PSL girl and this is the best recipe to get me a, better than the real thing, from home!
This was so yummy, and tastes even better homemade. I’ll be making it all season.
So happy you loved this one. It is a favorite over here, and it really is so much simpler than going out for one!
This was so great! I used instant espresso since I don't have an espresso machine (yet!) and it was still delicious.
So happy you found a great workaround! Strong coffee works well too if you ever run out of instant espresso. Such a good one, so happy you loved it! 😀
This drink is delicious. I love the pumpkin flavour.
So glad you enjoy it. We make this one often too!
I loved this! It reminds me of fall, but in a mug! I made a large batch of the pumpkin mix so I can make it all week.
We agree- such a quintessential flavor. We do that too over here! 🙂
This latte seems like the perfect combination of cozy flavors and creamy texture. I love that it’s homemade and uses real pumpkin.
Same here! When I was younger I was a big PSL girl; but all that syrup adds up, so I had to make a homemade alternative that was just as good if not better! I hope you love it.