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Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte

Averie Sunshine

5 from 3 votes

Updated: Oct 13, 2026

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Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte ☕🎃 Skip going out and the lines, save money, and start making your own homemade pumpkin spice lattes! This copycat recipe tastes so similar to the real thing.

Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

• I am a person who loves summery weather, but one thing that I look forward to in the fall is a freshly made Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.

• I know I’m not the only one who loves this guilty pleasure come this time every year! You know who you are.

• My DIY version is super simple and straightforward, but will help you perfect the art of making homemade pumpkin spice lattes. 

• You’ll save money, you don’t have to run out or wait in any lines, and best of all, my copycat pumpkin spice latte recipe will satisfy your cravings!

Ingredients in Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

• Freshly brewed espresso: Espresso gives this pumpkin spice latte its classic coffeehouse flavor. Strong brewed coffee can work in a pinch, but espresso is best. To make it decaf, use decaf espresso, or brew regular decaf coffee with much less water so it tastes extra strong.
• Torani pumpkin pie syrup: This keeps the recipe fast and easy while adding the pumpkin spice flavor. Use the regular syrup or the Sugar Free version, whichever you prefer.
• Pumpkin-flavored syrup: You do need to use flavored syrup for this specific recipe. Torani pumpkin pie syrup, Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup, their Sugar Free versions, or another brand like DaVinci will all work. Use whatever sounds best to you, whether that is pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, regular, or sugar-free syrup.
• Steamed and frothed milk: Whole milk will make the latte taste most similar to Starbucks, but 2% milk is also a great option and froths well. Skim milk works if that is what you are used to, although it will taste lighter. Plant-based milks such as almond or soy can also be used.
• Whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice: Whipped cream is optional, but it makes the latte feel extra special. Finish with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice on top.

Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

1. Begin by adding espresso, or very very strongly brewed coffee, to a mug along with the pumpkin syrup.
2. Steam and froth the milk and add it to the mug, holding a bit of the froth back with a spoon.
3. Then, top with optional whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice. Easy as that!

How to Make an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

1. Brew your espresso and add it over a cup full of ice along with the pumpkin pie flavored syrup.
2. Use more ice than you think since the hot espresso will melt the ice considerably and more ice prevents a watered down tasting iced latte.
3. You can skip steaming the milk and just simply froth it a bit or even add the milk unfrothed if you’re really feeling lazy.
4. Top with optional whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy.

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5 from 3 votes

Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte

By Averie Sunshine

☕🎃 Skip going out and the lines, save money, and start making your own homemade pumpkin spice lattes! This copycat recipe tastes so similar to the real thing.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Ingredients 

• ▢ 2 ounces freshly brewed espresso
• ▢ 1½ ounces pumpkin pie flavored Torani syrup
• ▢ 12 ounces steamed and frothed milk
• ▢ Whipped cream, optional for topping
• ▢ Pumpkin pie spice, for topping

Instructions 

• To a large 16-ounce mug, add the brewed espresso* and pumpkin syrup** (see Notes).
• Steam and froth the milk***, then pour it into the mug, using the back of a spoon to hold back the frothed part of the milk.
• Then spoon the milk froth onto the top of the drink.
• Optionally top with whipped topping or simply just leave it as-is with the frothed milk.
• Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice and serve immediately. Drink is best warm and fresh. Tip – If you want to make an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, read the blog post for directions.

Notes

If you can’t find any of the pumpkin flavored Torani syrups in your local market and don’t want to order them on Amazon, 1/2 ounce of regular simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar, heated until dissolved, then cooled) mixed with ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice extract can be used for every 4 ounces of milk.

*Espresso

It’s not secret that having an espresso machine will make this recipe the easiest. However, I realize it’s a luxury that not many of us have myself included.

If you have a Nespresso or Keurig machine (I adore mine), that will work too. I recommend cutting the amount of water you use to make sure the coffee is really strong.

The next best option is to use a bold roast in a french press.

If you use brewed coffee this is actually a café au lait. Again, cut way back on the water so the coffee is really strong.

Lastly, if you’re really in a pinch, you can use instant espresso.

**Pumpkin Syrup

I have a 10 year old recipe for Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes that uses pumpkin puree and no syrups. 

This current recipe, however, calls for using a pumpkin-flavored syrup such as the Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup or their Sugar Free version.

Torani also has a Pumpkin Spice version, and a Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice.

There are other brands including DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup but I find Torani to be more commonly stocked in supermarkets in comparison to DaVinci.

Use whatever sounds best to you – be it a pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, regular or sugar-free flavored syrup.

***Steaming and Frothing Milk

Gadget: There are lots of gadgets and appliances that steam and froth milk. I have an older version of this milk steamer and frother and love it!  It gets the milk very hot which I love, as well as very stiff and frothy. For $40, the convenience of having steamed and very frothed milk in 90 seconds is totally worth it to me.

Espresso Machine: If you’re lucky enough to have an espresso machine, with a built-in steamer, it’s the easiest way to make steamed milk for a latte. Fill your frothing pitcher with milk and place the steaming wand in the milk and steam for about 30 to 45 seconds.

Then bring the wand just under the surface of the milk and continue to steam until the froth begins to build. The milk for a latte should reach 160 degrees F. I strongly recommend using a beverage thermometer.

Stovetop/By Hand: For this drink, I do really recommend that you steam and froth some milk but if you absolutely don’t want to buy a gadget, you can either do it in a small kettle on the stove.

Make sure not to bring it to a simmer nor to a boil or it will taste scorched. It will boil sooner than you think so keep an eye on it. Use a thermometer so that it stays in the 150-160F range.

Then froth it or keep it do it by hand by adding the milk to a mason jar, cover with a lid, and shake until it’s super bubbly. Then microwave it until the foam rises to the top and the milk reaches the desired temperature. Don’t let it bubble over.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 370cal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 45mg, Sodium: 310mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 24g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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