Pumpkin Spice Latte – A Beautiful Mess

I’ve been making my own pumpkin spice lattes for almost 10 years now. While I love to get one at a coffee shop if I’m out and about, being able to make it at home is a game-changer!

In fact, when I first posted my pumpkin spice syrup recipe years and years ago, a local coffee shop in my town told me they used my recipe to make their pumpkin spice latte. You have NO idea how flattered I was when I heard this!

Related: If you’re a coffee lover, then next up you should learn how to make a proper Macchiato, Cortado, and Cappuccino. You also may love an Espresso Martini. Try our Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew recipe.

Ingredients

• Espresso
• Milk – I like whole or 2% for lattes
• Pumpkin Spice Syrup
• Cinnamon – for the top (optional)

You could also swap out the milk for a milk alternative like oat milk or almond milk if you prefer.

How to make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

If you have an espresso machine, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to extract a rich, concentrated shot of espresso.

The secret to a luscious latte lies in perfectly frothed milk. If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand, place the wand just below the surface of the milk and turn it on.

Tilt the pitcher slightly to create a swirling motion. Continue steaming until the milk has doubled in volume and has a smooth, velvety texture.

If you don’t have a steam wand, you can heat the milk on the stovetop and whisk by hand or use a milk frother vigorously until it becomes frothy.

Pour the espresso into a mug and add the syrup. Hold the milk pitcher at a slight angle and pour the frothed milk into the cup, aiming for the center to create beautiful latte art.

Home Espresso Makers

We’ve tried many espresso makers over the years, and here are our favorites at different price points and skill levels:

• Cafe Automatic Espresso Machine – My current machine. It uses any whole beans, so if you use high quality beans you’ll get high quality espresso. It makes espresso shots automatically (no barista skills required) and includes a milk frothing wand to heat and froth milk. We’ve used this machine almost every day since we got it seven months ago and we love it! It comes in three colors.
• Stovetop Espresso – This is the cheapest way to make espresso at home. It’s more labor intensive and you will also need a way to grind your beans for best results. But, this is a classic method that works great when done well.
• Breville Barista Touch – We bought this for a good friend as a wedding gift once and they said they love it. It’s a higher end machine that you will need some barista skills to operate, but it’s an excellent home espresso maker.
• Nespresso Vertuo – For those who want an espresso maker that uses pods, this is my favorite. Depending what pod you use, it can make espresso or coffee.

More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love

Every autumn I look forward to my first PSL of the season—now the wait is over!