Nothing says autumn quite like the arrival of pumpkin-spiced everything. There’s something about this magical combination of sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves that makes our hearts melt from the inside out. These warming spices take the bland flavor of pumpkin and elevate it to something that not only tastes delicious but actually makes us feel good on an emotional level, too.
Since its debut, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte has become a harbinger of fall, leaving us keenly awaiting the release of our favorite autumnal coffee drink. Pumpkin Spice Latte has taken on a life of its own as we witness the moment the air even thinks about turning chilly, and it’s not surprising that the PSL is Starbucks’ most popular seasonal release. Before it hit menus in 2017, the company had sold more than 350 million of the drinks worldwide. The pumpkin spice craze takes over between August and November, and by now, every recipe has a pumpkin spice version. If you can’t wait for Starbucks to release its signature fall drink, there is good news! Making your own at home is dangerously simple! Whole milk works best if you want a real frothy latte, but you can still use other alternatives; we recommend oat or almond milk. They will both foam up well but might take a little longer than whole milk would.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup whole milk 2 tbsp. Pumpkin purée 1 tbsp. Maple syrup 1/2 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice mix, plus a bit more for garnish. 1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract 1/4 c. hot espresso or coffee Whipped cream, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, spice, and vanilla extract. Cook, continually whisking until mixture is warmed, then blend the mixture with an immersion blender until frothy. Pour hot espresso into a mug, then top with pumpkin-spice foamed milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.