Get your Ugg boots ready to walk on some crunchy leaves because pumpkin spice season is almost here! Pumpkin spice lattes (PSL) are the surest sign that fall has arrived. They practically demand that we wear a chunky knit sweater with leggings as pants. But how to harness that coffee shop magic at home? It’s simple; we’ll walk you through how to craft the best homemade pumpkin spice latte, plus some fun twists on this classic beverage. You’ll be all set for PSL season with our how-to guide.

How To Make A Pumpkin Spice Latte

pumpkin spice ingredients — Shutterstock / Elena Veselova

What You’ll Need

measuring spoons
microwave-safe bowl
whisk
plastic wrap
mug, for serving

Ingredients

1 cup milk
1 tablespoon pumpkin purée
1 tablespoon sugar or coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus garnish
1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
1/2 cup hot espresso or black coffee

Instructions:

cup of black brewed coffee with coffee beans as background — Pixabay / PublicDomainPictures

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Now that you’ve gathered all of the necessary ingredients and kitchen items, let’s dive into how to make a pumpkin spice latte.

Step #1: Micro Magic

In a bowl, combine milk, sugar, pumpkin purée, vanilla paste, and pumpkin pie spice. Cover with plastic wrap, then poke a small hole to vent. Microwave for a minute or two, until mixture is hot.

PSL on wooden background with pumpkin and cinnamon — Shutterstock / George Dolgikh

Step #2: Wonderful Whisk

This is the most important step for cafe-like pumpkin spice lattes at home. Carefully remove bowl from heat, and discard plastic wrap. Next, whisk zealously for at least thirty seconds until the mixture is foamy and frothy.

Step #3: Magnificent Mug

In a large mug, form the base of your latte by pouring in the brewed coffee or espresso. Add the frothy milk concoction as the top layer. Sprinkle with a little pumpkin pie spice for garnish and you’re all set for that PSL life!

Variations + Fall Recipes

woman holding pumpkin in her hands — Unsplash / Ryan Christodoulou

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Want to step up your PSL game even more? Consider adding homemade whipped cream as a topping. Sprinkle with a little pumpkin spice for garnish. Additionally, you could serve your latte adorned with cinnamon sticks for an extra charming presentation. For a totally gourmet, from scratch version, make your own blend of pumpkin pie spice at home; it generally consists of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Another cool way to stand out from the crowd is to serve a PSL in tiny hollowed out pumpkins instead of a traditional coffee vessel. That would be a memorable way to end a fall dinner party with PSL as the digestif. You could also double the amount of pumpkin purée to add a little more body to the foam layer.

Still can’t get enough of those autumnal vibes? We have a ton of great recipes starring seasonal flavors. Check them out below:

We’ve given you so many amazing ways to embrace the impending fall season. Enjoy!