There’s no need to waste a lot of money buying pumpkin spice lattes. Just make them at home! No fancy equipment required.
Tis the season to be drinking . . . pumpkin spice la-la-la-la-ttes! Ever since Starbucks announced the return of pumpkin spice lattes to their menu, those drinks have returned with a vengeance. Every coffee shop that I go to and every major kitchen website I visit have come up with their own version of a pumpkin spice latte! These drinkable delights are getting all up on my grill, and you know what, I don’t mind it all that much.
Of course, I want to make one of these lattes for myself. But the fact of the matter is that I don’t own an espresso machine. They’re way over my budget and I don’t have the space in my apartment for one. Instead of using espresso, I tried recreating a pumpkin spice latte with coffee.
Oh boy, I definitely had several cups of nasty drinks before I got to something I was happy with. When you’re making this, keep in mind that you’re going to want a very strong tasting cup of coffee. Because the taste of espresso is very concentrated, the coffee needs to be bold in flavor as well. For me, this meant adding more beans to the grinder for a cup of coffee.
What about the milk foam you ask? I found this fantastic tutorial from The Kitchn on how to froth milk with your microwave. I couldn’t believe that it worked! No fancy machine required!
You’ll have to excuse the quality of the photo on the right. I got so excited it worked that I forgot to shoot it with my camera nicer! Photo quality aside, look, the microwave method actually works!
Frugal Girl’s Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120ml) strongly brewed coffee
- 2 tsp to 1 TBS pumpkin puree, depending on your taste
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1/2 TBS maple syrup
- 1 cup (240ml) 2% milk, divided
Instructions
- Heat the pumpkin puree in a saucepan with the pumpkin spice over medium-high heat. In a minute, add the maple syrup and stir. Reduce the heat to medium low. Once the maple syrup starts to bubble, mix in 1/2 cup of milk and stir until the milk is warmed up. There’s no need for the milk to bubble. Turn off the heat.
- Pour the coffee into a mug and then add the pumpkin milk.
- Pour the rest of the milk into a jar. Make sure that there’s plenty of space left in the jar to help aerate the milk as you shake it. Put the lid on the jar, and shake it for about a minute. You should be able to see a lot of frothy bubbles forming. Microwave the jar of milk uncovered for 30 seconds. You should now see some nice frothy milk on the top. Spoon the milk froth on top of the latte. Repeat this step by shaking and microwaving the same milk if you want more froth in the drink. I repeated this step once.
- Drink immediately!
Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil) says
Love that tutorial on foaming milk in your microwave (of course I finally broke down and bought a Nespresso and Aeroccino about a month ago) but can’t wait to try this out!
Lisa says
Yes! Let me know how it goes! My roommate used to have a Nespresso machine, but I never tried the espresso. Do you like it?
Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil) says
Just made a latte – I use it almost every day for decaf lattes 🙂
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
I saw that tip on the milk foam this week. So cool. I haven’t tried it yet, but I see you had great success with it. And can you believe I’ve never had a PSL….especially as I live in Seattle! I guess I should get on the bandwagon!
Lisa says
The only place I noticed PSLs in Seattle was at Starbucks. Personally, I have an aversion to that place, so I totally understand if you haven’t grabbed one yet!
Julia says
Yum! So glad I came across this recipe. With fall here in full swing I can’t wait to give it a try!! 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Julia!!
Farrah says
This is awesome! I love simple recipes and hoorayyy for saving money! 😛 Pinning for future attempts!
Lisa says
Yes! Let me know how it goes!
Eileen says
A definite yes to making homemade versions of expensive coffee drinks! I usually use Cafe Bustelo in the french press to make an espresso equivalent without a machine. But I have to say I am bypassing pumpkin spice and waiting for eggnog latte season myself! 🙂
Lisa says
YUM! I almost forgot about eggnog lattes! Maybe I should make one around December…I enjoy drinking coffee from a French press, but I have to admit that I don’t love the cleanup.
Laura @FitMamaLove says
I really need to try this! I do have an espresso machine, so I’ll give it a go with that. The microwave trick is cool. You can by a really inexpensive handheld frothed too. My kids love frothing their milk!
Lisa says
My old roommate used to have one of those frothers! I just never got around to buying one myself. Let me know how this works for you!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
YAY for no immersion blender! It’s on my list of things to get this fall but till then, I’ll just be shaking the milk haha
p.s. I really hope this works with almond or lactose free milk. Fingers crossed!
Lisa says
Yes! Giselle, let me know if this works with almond or lactose free milk!!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Wow, it’s even more beautiful online than it is on instagram!
I never knew pumpkin + beverages could ever be a ‘thing’ until I went to America. Oh you guys do the most ridiculously amazing things!
Lisa says
Thanks, Arman! I know, the American appetite is pretty bonkers. Sometimes, we come up with genius things like pumpkins with coffee, and then we decide to deep fry our twinkies.
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
I’m about to post my own pumpkin spice latte- very similar! It’s so easy to make at home, I’d much rather just do it myself than go buy one. Yum!
Lisa says
Right? Coffee drinks are so expensive now, so it’s good to have this in the bag!
trang says
I kept seeing PSL when passing by Starbucks, this looks yummy! 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Trang!
Mike York @espresso perfecto says
I have used a lot of espresso machines in the past but I haven’t been adventurous with recipes on espressos and coffee. This is a good start to try, especially the froth milk trick is really awesome and helpful. Thanks for this!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Love this method, Lisa! It makes a pumpkin latte accessible to anyone who can brew coffee and has a microwave. Can’t wait to whip one out! Thank you my dear!
Lisa says
Thank YOU, Traci!
[email protected] says
I saw that tip on the milk foam this week. So cool. I haven’t tried it yet, but I see you had great success with it.
Scott says
Awsome recipe, i tried this yesterday. Seriouly one of the best drinks i ever had. Gonna make this in our next friends gathering. Thanks Lisa for the recipe. 🙂
Lisa says
Scott, thank you so much for leaving me a note and for trying out the recipe! Glad you liked it!
Alisa says
Lisa last night i was searching for something spacial to drink/ eat. Then some of my friend send this recipe to me on FB. i just made it few min ago. its not looks good as your one but honestly speaking i just love the test . Its really amazing … going to make a try again to make it looks alike your one. hope then test would be more increased .
Lisa Lin says
Thank you so much for trying out my recipe, Alisa! Glad you enjoyed it!
Alisa says
You are most welcome. I will be waiting for more exclusive recipes
Tomas says
Love this recipe, Lisa! I really need to try this!
Lisa Lin says
Thanks, Tomas!
Fitnessgears says
thanks for sharing this amazing post, its yummy
EspressoLover says
Thanks for sharing the recipe. The latte tastes fabulous. I like it a lot.
Nadia Scheffer says
Wow, great recipe! These pumpkin spice lattes sound so good 🙂
Lisa Lin says
Thanks, Nadia!
Alex @ Smart Kitchen Guide says
I love latte!I am surely going to try this new flavor of it. I have a very strong feeling, just by looking at it, that I am going to love it.
Lisa Lin says
Thank you, Alex!
ivana @ coffee supremacy says
I am very skeptical about the new taste. I love latte. After years my coffee taste are changed and now I love to try many different coffee variations. This is one more coffee recipe that I need to try
Britt H says
I love this recipe and tried it with a few variations on the pumpkin spice mix (I made my own and like it better than the store bought). I like a little more cinnamon and nutmeg. Has anyone tried this with coconut or oat milk added? I am going to try that next.
Emily says
Delicious coffee turned out! I have not tried this yet. I love making coffee with cinnamon, but I never even thought about pumpkin spices. And thanks for the quick milk froth recipe. It’s great!
Halina says
I love pumpkin latte coffee. This is looking so delicious and lovely. This is really a great recipe of making pumkin latte at home, thank you for sharing this great article.