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Recipe Tip of the Day
One of the most loved exotic coffees is the pumpkin spice latte. Pumpkin spice has a nostalgic feeling of fall. People associate the scent and taste with comfort, home, cozy autumn evenings, and holiday celebrations.
Pumpkin spice lattes have been sold more than 200 million times and is now available in over 50 countries. Strangely enough the original pumpkin spice latte introduced by Starbucks in 2004 didn’t contain any pumpkin. The color of the latte was created with caramel coloring. It was named for pumpkin pie spices instead. Pumpkin was added to the latte recipe in 2015. To make it easier to say with so many orders per day, baristas know the pumpkin spice latte by the nickname “PSL”.
Pumpkin pie spice is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and sometimes allspice.
The combination of pumpkin pie spices were used as early as the late 1700’s but weren’t available as a mix. The original pumpkin pie spice mix currently sold in grocery stores was developed in 1934 by the McCormick spice company.
Home-brewed pumpkin spice latte can be made with less calories and more healthful ingredients than coffee-houses.
Pumpkin flavored syrups are commercially available which make it easy to whip up a cup of latte at home. Maple syrup, sugar, and brown sugar are popular sweeteners, the amounts which can be adjusted to taste. The choice of regular milk, almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk are excellent for people with food allergies. Vanilla extract can be added or avoided depending on taste.
Pumpkin puree, which is pure pumpkin, should always be used and not pumpkin pie filling which already has the spices added.
Whipped cream topping can also be skipped if calories are a problem.
A milk frother can be used to add volume and air to the latte if desired.
After trying various recipes and combinations of ingredients, this is a healthy, low-calorie version for a quick and easy pumpkin spice latte.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
2 Tbsp pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp white sugar
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 to 1/3 cup prepared coffee
Whipped cream (optional)
In a measuring cup mix the vanilla and milk. Set aside.
In a small saucepan combine the pumpkin puree, white and brown sugars, pumpkin spice and water. Heat while constantly stirring to dissolve the sugars.
Just as the mixture starts to bubble, pour in the milk and vanilla.
When the milk starts to boil, immediately take off the heat and pour into a mug.
Pour the prepared hot coffee into the mixture and stir.
Add a dollop of whipped cream on top if desired.
Click here for a great assortment of pumpkin shaped mugs, pumpkin spice coffee mixes, pumpkin pie spice, and milk frothers at Amazon.
Author Marilyn Pokorney
Copyright Marilyn Pokorney 2026
