What’s fall without pumpkin spice lattes? Find out how to make the popular fall drink in both a coffee and tea version!

What is Pumpkin Spice?

Pumpkin spice has been recognized as the spice blend used in the popular pumpkin pie. These spices comprise of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The warm nodes of these spices have become the essence of fall comfort and festivities.

What is a Pumpkin Spice Latte?

In short, a pumpkin spice latte is a latte that tastes like spiced pumpkin. It is a very popular latte from Starbucks. Typically, a pumpkin spice latte is a regular coffee-based latte with pumpkin spice flavouring (usually in the form of a syrup) topped with whipped cream. It can be found at coffee shops around the country between September-November to celebrate the fall season. Contrary to popular belief, many store-bought pumpkin spice lattes don’t contain any pumpkin in them, just the spices found in the Thanksgiving pie. However many at-home recipes call for pumpkin purée, making it a more authentic pumpkin pie beverage.

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

There are many recipes available for making your own pumpkin spice latte, and with many recipes come many variations. The base ingredients for a pumpkin spice latte include milk (dairy or plant based), pumpkin purée, pumpkin spice, sugar, and coffee or tea. In this post we will go over a few recipes for coffee-based and tea-based pumpkin spice lattes.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

This coffee drink uses pumpkin purée to result in the best latte. Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 2 tbsp pumpkin purée (add more for a stronger pumpkin flavour)
• 1-3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup hot brewed coffee
• Whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

Divide the hot coffee in to two mugs. Heat the milk, pumpkin purée, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk, then pour your milk pumpkin puree mixture in to the two mugs over the coffee. Add style points by topping with whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin pie spice.

Pumpkin Spice Tea Latte Recipe

In this single serving version we keep it simple by using Pumpkin Spice Black Tea for an easy and delicious tea latte.

Ingredients:

• 3 tsp of Pumpkin Spice Black Tea
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1-3 tsp sugar (optional)

Directions:

Steep the tea in the 1/4 cup water for 5 minutes (we like steeping in the Aberdeen Smart Tea Maker!). While waiting for the tea to steep, froth your milk of choice. Pour steeped tea in to a mug and top with frothed milk, add sugar (if desired) & enjoy! Add whip cream and pumpkin pie spice for an extra fancy tea latte.

Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte Recipe

Amp up your pumpkin spice tea latte with chai tea! This single serving recipe is a unique variation that's sure to please.

Ingredients:

• 3 tsp of Vanilla Chai Tea
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk (dairy, coconut milk, or plant-based)
• 2 tbsp pumpkin purée
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp arrowroot starch or cornstarch (optional - adds creamy texture)
• Whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

Steep tea in 1/4 cup water for 5 minutes. While tea is steeping, heat milk, pumpkin purée, maple syrup (or honey), pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a saucepan on medium heat. Add pumpkin milk mixture and steeped tea to a blender and blend for 1-2 minutes until creamy. Pour in to a mug and serve with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

And there we have it! 3 ways to make a pumpkin spice latte. Let us know how it goes! Do you have a favourite pumpkin spice latte recipe? Let us know!