Growing up, I ate a lot of pumpkin curry - sometimes non-vegetarian and sometimes pure vegetarian. Mom would always keep a little extra curry for me knowing that it’s my favorite vegetable and she still does the same. There is something about that dark orange shade; the sweetness and the creamy texture that makes me go for it as soon as my eyes fall on it. Whether you make something savory or sweet, blend it to make a soup or roast it, pumpkin is always very comforting and perfect to warm you up when the weather gets chilly outside.
Pumpkin spiced latte came to me as a surprise since I was not really familiar with the concept. The idea to add pumpkin in coffee was bizarre to me until I took my first sip couple of years back and realized how perfectly it fits the season. The warmth and the flavor sure do make it a complete fall drink. And this year, we are treating ourselves with a lot of homemade pumpkin spiced latte.
I won’t compare my homemade latte with the Starbucks latte but when it gets cold outside and all you wish for is to hold a hot cup of flavorful coffee to enjoy the autumn weather, it’s always more easy to mix it at home than walk by or drive to the coffee shop. Plus, I just love how the home smells from freshly grounded coffee.
Making pumpkin spice latte at home is extremely easy if you have pumpkin syrup flavored with pumpkin spice ready in advance. It’s simple and effortless to make the syrup or the spice mix and once the syrup is ready, it can be kept in the refrigerator for weeks. Just brew some coffee, add the syrup, give it a mix and sip!

Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Ingredients
For the pumpkin spiced syrup
- 1-½ cup pureed pumpkin
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks or 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon grounded cloves
- 2 to 3 star anise
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg powder
For the latte
- 2 cups strong brewed coffee
- ½ cup half and half
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tablespoons pumpkin spiced syrup
Instructions
- To make the syrup, mix all the ingredients listed under syrup and bring it to a boil. Once done, let it simmer at a medium heat for about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Switch off the heat and once it cools down to room temperature, you can store it in an airtight jar. It will stay good in the refrigerator for weeks! (This makes about 2 cups of syrup)
- In a saucepan, mix coffee, pumpkin spiced syrup and heat it. Once done, keep it aside.
- To make the latte, pour the milk, half & half and heat it (not boil). Divide it into 4 coffee mugs and using a handy frother, create milk froth on all the cups. You can try with a small whisk if you don't have the frother. It will not create a perfect froth but it will make it airy and create a small layer of froth on top.
- Pour the pumpkin spiced coffee in each of the mugs and if you wish, top it with some whipped cream.
- Dust cinnamon powder on top and sip!
Nutrition
And while it’s the season to indulge, add some whipped cream and drizzle some caramel sauce on top. Dust a little bit of cinnamon powder and enjoy your homemade latte.
Rachel @ Bakerita
Gorgeous photos, and your pumpkin spiced lattes look delicious!
Arch
Love the props and styling, beautiful ! I am not so big on coffee, but I love pumpkin, maybe I should try a variation.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I love pumpkin spiced lattes, these are gorgeous!
Lail
Don't drink coffee, but your photos are tempting. I too love pumpkin and did a pumpkin halva post recently. Given your fondness towards pumpkin, maybe you'll enjoy it.
http://withaspin.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/a-treat-for-eid/
dassana
the pumpkins motifs in the background look great and adds to the pumpkin season feel. you have also used well blended color combinations that make the pics really awesome..
manju
Looks great, but i'm not a fan of pumpkin spice...Your pics look stunning as always!
Kiran
Cannot live without pumpkin spice latte!! Gotta try this recipe when I am back home 🙂
IshitaUnblogged
First time I'm coming across such a combo Kankana and I have to say that I'm tempted beyond redemption to try this! Where did you first come across this? I also thought bizarre but, if pumpkin soups can be tasty with cream, why not latte?
Kankana Saxena
I had this for the first time in US. Starbucks to be precise. It comes in Starbucks ever autumn 🙂
IshitaUnblogged
Starbucks? I have to request them here... but before that I'll give your recipe a try!
Resham
Love your pics Kankana... N I love the look of the Spiced Latte. I am a big fan of pumpkin... So this post surely struck a chord somewhere deep! Cheers! Keep up the great work. Your passion for food, photography, aesthetics, and just life in general shows in your posts that I receive in my mailbox from time to time. 🙂
Kankana Saxena
Thank you so much Resham for dropping by and motivating me with your lovely words 🙂 Truly appreciate it, and I am so glad you like my work!
Shruti
Wow..Just makes me go grab a cup of hot coffee..your photos are stunning!
Faseela
wow...super tempting clicks...yummy
Mallika
Stunning Kankana. Love the melange of coffee flavours with pumpkins. Unique, sinful and delicious!
nisha
i have had them at starbucks and love it...sadly we dont get ready made pumpkin puree that easily and i somehow find getting the puree done from a whole pumpkin to be a treacherous job, so i sadly stay away from all those yummy pumpkin recipes.
PS. arent those ikea glasses??? i have the same design ones, but bowls instead 🙂
Kankana Saxena
Ohh i know. Making pumpkin puree from scratch for coffee, would be too much effort! And yes, those cups are from ikea 🙂
Nash at plateful
Haven't tasted a pumpkin latte ever, now I want a sip!!
Rosa
A divine beverage! Perfectly seasonal. I've never had pumpkin spice latte, but I'm pretty sure it tastes better than Starbuck's latte (not a fan of their stuff)...
Cheers,
Rosa
Anamika | madcooking
hey, the photos look wow as always :). I have never had pumpkin spiced latte and to me the idea to add pumpkin in coffee still is something which surely will take time to understand, coz in India we do not really mix anything in coffee except whipped cream if we wish to have it lil differently. Looking at your photos and the recipe, I will give it a try some day :)!
Debjani
So so beautiful are these photos. A stamp of Fall no doubt. Like any other Bengali I love a good ripe pumpkin but never quite got around to liking the lattes. One per season is quite all right for me. But I love the scones and the cheesecakes made with the pumpkin spice!
vijitha
Girl, that napkin behind looks good. I love the styling.i dont drink coffee but the drink tempts me to try it.
Kankana Saxena
Thanks babe 🙂 May be you can have it just with milk, make the froth for the latte effect, minus the coffee!
Grishma
My favorite! I bet this one will beat Starbucks latte 🙂
Kankana Saxena
Oh no it won't 🙂
Reem | Simply Reem
Here I'm my dear again from my phone... Lol
And now I'm really thinking how badly I need to move closer to you... God u make me so so so hungry for this!!! Perfect Kank!!
Loving the color love here!