Pumpkin spice latte recipe: How to make this autumn staple at home

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

It’s no secret that we love a good espresso. That’s why we’re not the biggest fans of those super-sweet PSLs you often get at cafés.

So we came up with the idea to create our own pumpkin spice latte recipe, one that combines that cozy, autumn feeling with the kick of a perfectly balanced espresso.

Here’s how to make a pumpkin spice latte at home.

What you’ll need for this pumpkin spice latte recipe:

For the pumpkin spice syrup:

250 ml water
75 g sugar
75 g brown sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon
¾ tbsp ground ginger
¼ tbsp nutmeg
¼ tbsp ground cloves
Pumpkin purée

Optional: a pinch of cardamom or black pepper

For the latte:

1 espresso
Milk or a plant-based alternative for frothing

How to make a pumpkin spice latte:

Follow these steps to make a delicious pumpkin spice latte at home:

Bring the water and sugar to a boil, then let it simmer gently.
Stir until all the sugar has dissolved.
Add the spices and let the mixture simmer for a few more minutes.
Remove from heat and let it cool.
(Optional) Stir the pumpkin purée into your syrup.
Store the syrup in the fridge.
Once the syrup has cooled, add two teaspoons to a barista cup (at least 180 ml).
Brew an espresso as you normally would and pour it into the cup. An espresso pitcher comes in handy here.
Froth your milk and pour it into the cup.
Done! Enjoy your homemade pumpkin spice latte.

About this pumpkin spice latte recipe

Here’s everything you need to know to make this pumpkin spice latte recipe your own.

What is a pumpkin spice latte?

Pumpkin spice lattes are popular coffee drinks you can get at Starbucks. They’re made with espresso, steamed milk, and a cozy autumn spice blend. They usually also include sugar and whipped cream.

When you make your pumpkin spice latte at home, you have full control over what goes into it, and what doesn’t.

You can tweak your pumpkin spice syrup and espresso endlessly until you find the flavor balance that’s just right for you.

What kind of espresso should you use?

For a pumpkin spice latte recipe, we recommend espresso beans with slightly lower acidity.

Try our Brazil–Ethiopia blend for a smooth, balanced base, or go for our Sulawesi beans if you’re in the mood for something a bit more adventurous.

Sulawesi beans are less neutral and add a subtle smoky kick to your PSL that's definitely worth trying.

What’s in a pumpkin spice latte?

Pumpkin spice latte syrup usually contains these spices:

Cinnamon
Ginger
Nutmeg
Cloves

This blend was originally used in pumpkin-based desserts like pumpkin pie. That’s where its warm, autumn vibes come from.

Sometimes, you’ll also find black pepper or cardamom in pumpkin spice mixes, which add a little extra spice and depth.

Craving another cozy fall coffee treat? Check out our dirty chai latte recipe or and discover all our coffee recipes here.

Pumpkin spice latte recipe: How to make this fall staple at home