Real PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe)

I’ve recently come to enjoy making a variety of homemade simple syrups to flavor my morning lattes and coffee. I have to confess, I harbored a hatred of pumpkin spice lattes for a very long time. Then I tried one at a coffee shop somewhere other than Starbucks, and I realized I didn’t hate the delightfully warming and spiced combination of brown sugar with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and clove – I really just disliked Starbucks coffee. While Starbucks uses granulated sugar, I prefer the deeper molasses flavor that brown sugar adds to the syrup.

Real PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte)

Key Ingredients in This Recipe

Brown sugar – Using dark brown sugar for the simple syrup gives it a deeper molasses flavor that complements the warming spices and pumpkin.
Pumpkin puree – Real pumpkin puree, also known as canned pumpkin, is made from roasted pumpkin blended to a smooth consistency. It is made with no additional ingredients apart from pumpkin, so it is also easy to create your own from roasted pumpkin quickly blended in a blender or food processor. This is key to making sure the simple syrup tastes natural and not artificial.
Spices – Pumpkin pie seasoning, also known as pumpkin pie spice, is a fragrant combination made with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. While you can use a bit of each, I find it easiest to just use the pre-blended spice mix in this recipe.
Espresso – This latte is made with two shots of espresso. Espresso is a more highly concentrated coffee giving it a more intense flavor. The beans are typically roasted longer, with a finer grind. I have a Nespresso machine that I use to create the espresso shots.
Milk – I opt to make my lattes with whole milk but you can easily swap it with another dairy or non-dairy option like oat milk. Froth the milk using a steamer or a simple hand milk frother like this one. When steaming the milk it, should be heated between 139ºF – 149ºF (59ºC – 65ºC).

How to Make a PSL

Step 1: Combine ingredients for syrup.

Add the brown sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, salt and 1 cup of water to a small saucepan.

Step 2: Simmer simple syrup.

Bring to a simmer and stir or whisk until the sugar has dissolved, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. The syrup can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in advance.

Step 3: Assemble PSL.

Add 2 tablespoons (40g) of the pumpkin spice syrup to a mug and add steamed milk over the top, followed by espresso shots. Serve immediately.

Tips and Tricks for This Recipe

Swaps and substitutions

For a special touch, finish the latte off with whipped cream (bonus points if it’s homemade).
Use the syrup to liven up a simple brew coffee or cold brew coffee.
If needed, swap the whole milk for a non-dairy milk alternative like almond milk, soy milk or oat milk.
I like to garnish the latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

How to Make this Latte Iced

To serve this latte iced, I recommend filling a cup with ice, adding the syrup, followed by the milk and finishing by pouring the espresso over the top. Stir to combine and then serve. I also recommend serving with metal straws.

How to Store Simple Syrup

Easily make the syrup ahead of time to cut down on prep time. Store it refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two weeks in advance.

How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Pie Seasoning

Combine the following ingredients in a small bowl and use 2 teaspoons to make the pumpkin spice syrup.

1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ teaspoon ground allspice
¾ teaspoon ground cloves

Other Recipes to Try

If you enjoy this homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe, give these a try: