Go Back
A cozy ceramic mug of homemade pumpkin spice latte, finished with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice on a wooden table.

Easy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (Starbucks Copycat Recipe)

5 from 2 votes
Skip the coffee shop line! Learn how to make a Starbucks-quality pumpkin spice latte at home with our easy copycat recipe. The secret is the homemade pumpkin spice syrup!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 1 latte
Course: Beverages, Breakfast, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

or the Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup (makes about 1 cup)
  • ½ cup Pumpkin Puree Use 100% pure puree, not pie filling
  • ½ cup Granulated Sugar Or brown sugar/maple syrup
  • ½ cup Water
  • 2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
For One Pumpkin Spice Latte
  • 2 shots Espresso Or ½ cup strong brewed coffee
  • 1 cup Milk Whole, almond, or oat milk work best
  • 2-3 tablespoons Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup Adjust to your desired sweetness
  • Whipped Cream Optional, for toppingExport to Sheets

Equipment

  • 1 Small Saucepan For making the syrup and heating milk
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Fine-Mesh Sieve Optional, for an ultra-smooth syrup
  • 1 Jar or Airtight Container For storing the syrup
  • 1 Mug For servingExport to Sheets

Method
 

For the Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup:
  1. In a small saucepan, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugar, and water.
    A small saucepan of steaming, homemade pumpkin spice syrup being whisked on the stove, the first step in this pumpkin spice latte recipe.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens slightly.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract.
    A wooden spoon stirring pumpkin pie spice into a saucepan of hot, steaming pumpkin syrup, creating the base for a pumpkin spice coffee recipe.
  4. For an extra smooth syrup, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve.
    Pouring homemade pumpkin spice syrup from a saucepan through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass jar to ensure a smooth, professional texture for a latte.
  5. Let it cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
    A glass bottle labeled "Pumpkin Spice Syrup" filled with finished homemade pumpkin spice syrup, sitting on a wooden counter and ready for storage.
For the Pumpkin Spice Latte:
  1. Gently heat the milk in a saucepan or microwave. Froth if desired.
    A stainless steel pitcher of hot, steaming frothed milk in front of an espresso machine, ready to be used in a homemade pumpkin spice latte.
  2. In a large mug, combine the hot espresso (or strong coffee) with 2-3 tablespoons of the homemade pumpkin spice syrup.
    Pouring a creamy liquid into a mug of hot espresso, combining the coffee and syrup to make a homemade pumpkin spice latte.
  3. Pour the hot milk into the mug and stir to combine.
  4. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, if using. Serve immediately.
    A cozy ceramic mug of homemade pumpkin spice latte, finished with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice on a wooden table.

Notes

  • Vegan Option: Use oat or almond milk and a coconut-based whipped cream. Use maple syrup instead of sugar in the syrup if desired.
  • Storage: The homemade syrup is the key! Make a batch and keep it in the fridge for quick and easy lattes all week.
  • Real Pumpkin: Always use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best authentic flavor.