As much as I love summer, it's only a matter of time before my mind turns to fall – and while Halloween decorating is the main focus, for me the signifier of the seasonal transition is seeing pumpkin spice lattes back on the menu in all the coffee shops.
This year I'm embracing the holiday earlier than ever and getting on board with summerween – celebrating Halloween while summer is in full swing. With that, my pumpkin spice latte cravings have come early.
As they're not available yet as a take out, I've resorted to finding my own recipe for a DIY version that I can whip up whenever I like at my home coffee bar. It requires a good homemade syrup (and a bit of patience) but will be worth the effort.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 can condensed milk (14 oz.)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 shots espresso
- 1 cup milk
Method
- Add the water and sugar to a pan and simmer gently until the sugar has dissolved.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the condensed milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
- Stir until everything is combined. For the best results, blend until smooth (an immersion blender will be easiest here) and then strain (use something like this premium stainless steel fine mesh strainer from Walmart) these until you're left with a glossy pumpkin syrup.
- Prepare your espresso (using one of the best espresso machines), then add up to 4 tablespoons of syrup to your mug, depending on how sweet you want your latte to be.
- Top up the mug with milk before finishing with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
- Any leftover pumpkin syrup can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container like these glass storage jars from Amazon. (You can also freeze it in ice cube molds like this OXO covered ice cube tray from Target, for easy portioning when you need it.)
Shop everything you need to make a DIY pumpkin spice latte
Our testers rated the best immersion blenders and found this one to be a brilliant cordless option. It's small but mighty, and it won't scratch your pans.
According to our kitchen appliances editor, this is the best espresso machine to invest in if you prefer full-bodied coffee and sweet foam, since it comes with a removable capsule designed specifically for syrups and sweeteners. It's the go-to for pumpkin spice afficionados like myself.
This gorgeous pumpkin mug is elegant but understated. I like that you can see your coffee through the glass – top it off with a generous whirl of whipped cream and a cinnamon stick for coffee shop chic
These whimsical stirring spoons are the perfect accompaniment to your DIY pumpkin spice latte. The brass finish and delicate floral details instantly remind me of fall.
Display these handsome syrup dispenser bottles in your coffee nook and your kitchen will be transformed into a cafe. (Just add a couple of espresso cups from H&M's bistro tableware collection.)
I love decanting cinnamon into stylish spice jars like this – the wooden lid adds a luxe feel to my shelves making it pretty enough to keep out on display.
If you're looking for some more Halloween-inspired recipes to make now (if you just can't wait for October, like me) or to save up for spooky season, these pumpkin patch dirt cups are really cute and easy to make.
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