It’s finally October! October means two things: 1.) Pumpkin season has begun in earnest and 2.) I will not apologize or hide my pumpkin obsession any longer. Everyone makes fun of pumpkin spice, but you know what? Millions of people can’t be wrong. Pumpkin spice lattes might be a clever marketing ploy, but I’m down with pumpkin and I’m down with spice.
Pumpkin is one of those weird things, I find. Some people love it, some people hate it. I’m a pumpkin lover, through and through. I’m pretty sure it’s because my mom never let me eat pumpkin pie when I was a kid. We’d be walking by the bakery and I’d smell the most amazing smell and I’d ask her if we could buy it and she’d get me a doughnut or a cookie. While the treats were tasty, even my four-year-old mind knew that they weren’t the deliciousness I was smelling. No, my childhood was pumpkin pie-less. When I finally got a piece of the elusive pie, I went a little crazy. I love pumpkin pie, pumpkin doughnuts, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin french toast, pumpkin noodles, pumpkin mac and cheese – essentially, I like pumpkin in anything and everything. I especially love wrapping my hands around a pumpkin spice latte.
Last week, when it finally officially became fall, I whipped up a quick batch of pumpkin spice syrup and used most of it in my morning pour-over. I’m kind of obsessed with pour-over coffee (I love the ritual) and even though it’s blasphemous to drink pour-over anything other than black, I went ahead anyway and it was heavenly. I even whipped up some heavy cream by hand and topped it off with a (not-so) healthy dollop. It’s spicy, fall heaven in a cup. Sweater-weather here I come. Happy October!
Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup Recipe via Two Red Bowls
makes 1 cup
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugars. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir to dissolve. Turn the heat down to low and stir in the spices and pumpkin. Simmer (without bringing to a boil) for 5 minutes. Let cool and store in the fridge or use immediately.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
makes 1 drink
- 3/4 cups warm milk
- 1 shot espresso
- 1-2 tablespoons pumpkin spice latte syrup, or to taste
- whipped cream and cinnamon, if desired
Stir together the milk, espresso and syrup. Taste and adjust if needed. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon, if using and enjoy hot.
Alternatively, if I’m drinking drip or pour over coffee, I just add the syrup and milk/cream to my mug to taste.
I only discovered the deliciousness of Pumpkin when I was well into my late teens. I have a lot of catching up to do! Gorgeous recipe and of course pictures and (GIF) too!
Haha, I am the same as Belinda. Lots of catching up to do! I have never had a pumpkin spice latte, so I cannot wait for this!
YESSSSS PSL twins FOREVER!! <3 <3 <3 <3 (Also, I second your pour-over love, too! Especially since we have about … 2 square feet of countertop space and the rice cooker gets prime real estate. Thank you, tiny Hario.) xoxo!!
I usually just follow the lazy route and put pumpkin puree into a blender with coffee and milk… Which would be not the pour-over way at all and would infuriate coffee snobs. So I guess I’m not contributing much to this discussion, except that is to say I do like the pumpkiny rawness the puree preserves over the syrup.
looks very delicious. i will differently try this
I also had a pumpkin pie-deprived childhood… so guess what happened when I was home alone after school one day, and saw a recipe for pumpkin pie on the back of a can of carnation condensed milk? I found some leftover squash purée in the fridge, and got to work. And then I ate it ALL. To this day my mom never knew what happened to the missing ingredients.
I love this!! I was thinking these days what a shame it is that I never tried a pumpkin latte when I was in the States. I hate sugary drinks, but I would have liked to try a pumpkin something. Guess that it’s less scary to make it at home? What if I sub part of the regular sugar with dark sugar?
you could totally sub the sugar out for dark and even dial it down a bit – totally customizable!
why why why did your mother not let you have pumpkin pie!?? hehe ! i love pumpkin pie … and guess what, i’ve never had a pumpkin spice latte!!! don’t kill me! but i would definitely definitely try this beauty. love the animation too, steph! xoxo
You don’t have to apologize for loving pumpkin to me. I understand. I am not sure why it’s just for fall and early winter time, but I guess it’s to increase how special it is by limiting it. Like only have evergreen trees in your living room at Xmas time.
Anyway love the spice mix.
Some people hate pumpkin?! How is that possible? :-)