Pumpkin Spice Latte
Build; Warm up ∙ 4 min ∙
The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a hot non-alcoholic coffee of espresso and pumpkin spice syrup topped with steamed milk, cream and cinnamon. Velvety foam gives way to a warm, silky body with a bittersweet edge, finishing softly spiced and coated with a dusting of fragrant cinnamon.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-heat a glass
- Pour the first 2 ingredients: Espresso coffee 100 ml and Pumpkin spice syrup 15 ml, into the pre-warmed glass
- Top with steamed Milk
- Garnish with top with whipped cream and dust with freshly grated cinnamon
Tips
- Pull the espresso fresh and pour it in immediately while still hot, then add the pumpkin spice syrup so it dissolves fully into the hot coffee before milk is added.
- Steam the milk to a silky microfoam rather than boiling it, then pour it gently over the back of a spoon to layer it on top without breaking the espresso's crema.
History
The pumpkin spice latte was developed by Starbucks in early 2003 in the company's "Liquid Lab," a research kitchen at its Seattle headquarters, where a team led by product manager Peter Dukes tested pumpkin pie mixed with espresso while creating a new fall seasonal drink. The recipe was tried under the working name Fall Harvest Latte before Starbucks settled on Pumpkin Spice Latte, and "PSL" began as the shorthand baristas wrote on cups. In late 2003 Starbucks tested the drink in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Washington, D.C., where strong sales led to a nationwide U.S. rollout in 2004.
The original version contained no actual pumpkin, relying only on a blend of spices; after years of public criticism over the missing ingredient, Starbucks reformulated the syrup in 2015 to include real pumpkin puree. Starbucks trademarked the abbreviation PSL that same year, and the drink's popularity spurred pumpkin-spice versions from other coffee chains and food brands alike.
FAQ
What are the ingredients in a pumpkin spice latte?
This pumpkin spice latte is built from hot espresso, pumpkin spice syrup, and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and freshly grated cinnamon. It is served warm in a toddy glass, is non-alcoholic, and comes in at about 103 calories per serving.
Can I just add pumpkin spice to my coffee?
You can, but it will taste thinner than this build, where pumpkin spice syrup is poured into hot espresso first so it fully dissolves before the milk is added.
How to make a homemade pumpkin spice latte?
Pre-heat a glass, pour in hot espresso and pumpkin spice syrup, then top with steamed milk. Finish with whipped cream and a dusting of freshly grated cinnamon, and serve warm in a toddy glass.
Are pumpkin spice lattes healthy?
This version is moderate as far as coffee drinks go, at roughly 103 calories per serving, and it is vegetarian and gluten-free. It contains no alcohol, so the calories come mainly from the milk, syrup, and whipped cream rather than from spirits.