It's that time of year again when everyone is talking about the Pumpkin Spice Latte. If I'm not the only food blog you read (at least I'm hoping you've discovered all of those other fabulous blogs out there) then I'm sure you have come across recipes for a homemade version already. But, what if you do not like the pumpkin spice lattes, yet would still like to enjoy a homemade pumpkin spice drink?
If you only take notice of one sentence in this entire post, please read this: This pumpkin spice syrup is not reserved solely for pumpkin spice lattes. It's true! If you do not like lattes, or coffee drinks - or you prefer cold drinks over hot, whatever your preference, you can probably find use for this syrup. (Unless, of course, you do not like pumpkin spice drinks, then go ahead and click on out of here!) 😉
The first use I made out of the pumpkin spice syrup was adding it to my homemade iced coffee. The iced coffee brew is already strong enough, so adding equal parts milk, toddy (iced coffee) and then about 1/4 cup syrup is all I needed! Served over ice cubes, it was the perfect kick-start to my morning! The next day, at the advice of a friend, I mixed the same concoction up in my blender for a pumpkin spice blended coffee drink.
Use this syrup as you wish. Go ahead and create your own homemade version of Starbucks' favorite treat, blend it into your iced coffee, stir it into a glass of milk or throw a splash of it in some white hot chocolate. If you get even more creative, let me know how you end up putting this divine syrup to use! But, most of all...enjoy!!
Pumpkin Spice Syrup for Hot and Cold Coffee or Non-Coffee Drinks
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
Instructions
- Heat the water and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Use a whisk to stir in the remaining ingredients. Turn down the heat to medium-low and cook for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Try not to let the mixture come to a boil.
- Place two thick paper towels on top of each other into a fine mesh strainer set over a large measuring cup. Strain the syrup through the paper towel lined strainer. (Cheesecloth and coffee filters work well here, too.) Pour the strained syrup into a storage bottle with a lid and keep in the refrigerator.
- To make a hot pumpkin spice latte:
- Stir together 1 1/2 tablespoons of syrup to each shot of espresso. Add frothed milk and stir to combine.
- To make an iced pumpkin spice latte:
- Stir together 1 1/2 tablespoons of syrup for each shot of espresso, then add desired amount of cold milk. Serve over ice cubes.
- To make a pumpkin spice iced coffee:
- Stir together 1/2 cup of milk to 1/2 cup toddy (iced coffee), then mix in 1/4 cup syrup. Serve over ice.
- To make a pumpkin spice blended coffee:
- Stir together 1/2 cup of milk to 1/2 cup toddy (iced coffee), then mix in 1/4 cup syrup. Pour into a blender, add 2 cups ice and mix until well blended. Optional: Add a teaspoon of white chocolate powder when blending.
- Other options: Add a splash to hot coffee, hot chocolate, smoothie, etc.
- Source: Adapted from Cook Like a Champion
Nutrition
Mildred Carroll says
Maybe I'm blind, but I can't find the actual recipe! What am I missing! 🙂
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Mildred,
Sorry about that! You are not blind... 😉 Some of my recipes disappeared when I converted my site to a new template. I'm slowly finding them as people comment and adding them back. This was one of them, so thank you!! Recipe is back!
Amy says
I ran across this looking at your pumpkin recipes (you had me at pumpkin), but the link to the recipe doesn't seem to be active. Can you re-post or send me the link to the syrup? Thanks so much for all the inspiration with your recipes!
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Amy! So sorry! Some of my recipes disappeared after I converted to a new template and this happened to be one of them. I added it back. Thank you!
Lily says
Any of you found that the syrup would crystalize in the fridge? Not all, but some of mine would at the bottom of the mason jar...
Alayna says
Tried this last night in a mug of hot chocolate with home made marshmallows - love it! So much so that I couldn't resist raving about it on my blog. https://www.alaynascreations.blogspot.com/2012/10/pumpkin-31-days-day-7.html
Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Nikki says
haha! Thanks, Alayna!
Julie says
Do you have any idea how long this keeps?
Nikki says
I have kept mine in the fridge for 2-3 weeks before using it up. I'm guessing up to a month.
Mary Jane says
Hi, Nikki. Just made this yesterday. It took awhile (about an hour) for the syrup to strain. Is that typical?
Nikki says
Hi Mary Jane, no that is not normal. Did you push on it with a spatula or just let it sit there and drain? I should probably add instructions to push/stir with spatula to force the liquid through the strainer. Sorry it took so long!!
Eaglet says
Maybe I missed it, but how long would this last if kept in the fridge?
Nikki says
I've used it up in about two weeks. After that, I'm not sure. 🙂
AWESOMESAUCE says
So I stumbled across this recipe weeks ago and didnt make it, and last night I was flipping through my bookmarks and on a whim, got up and made it at 11:30. This is now my favorite drink additive and I LOVE IT!! Great recipe, FIVE STARS!!
Nikki says
So glad you liked it! Especially for making it late at night! 😉
Drunkenmimes says
If I used ground cinnamon instead of sticks, would I still need to strain it?
AWESOMESAUCE says
yes, the puree is what you're straining out
Angie R. says
Hi, I was just wondering how you make your espresso and frothed milk? Thanks!
Nikki says
Hi Angie,
I do not own an espresso or froth machine, so I use a strong brew coffee and microwave my milk in a jar to steam it. (Pour the amount of milk you want for your cup of coffee into a jar, not to exceed half the jar, and put a lid on it. Shake for 30 seconds, take the lid off, then microwave for 30 seconds. You'll have a frothy milk!) 🙂
Elizabeth says
Looks great, I'll try it with Splenda, and then use it in my tea, both hot and iced!
Janelle says
Made this early this morning before church & LOVE IT!! More than other pumpkin latte recipes! I think this may be my new go to syrup!!
Thanks!
Janelle
Jessie says
Can you use honey instead of the sugar? And if so, how much would you use?
Nikki says
You probably can, but it would probably alter the taste a little. I am not a big fan of honey, so I'm pretty sensitive to it's taste and probably wouldn't like this syrup if I used honey instead. It also might make it too thick. Not sure as I haven't tried it myself. If you try it, make sure to come back and let us know how it turned out! 🙂
Kasey says
This is absolutely brilliant! Pumpkin Spice Lattes at home!
Sarah Parker says
What a good idea! I love pumpkin spice chai tea. It's spicy and delicious!
Liz says
Awesome! Super excited to try this!
Jackie @ Vegan Yack Attack says
I want to make this and use it on everything for the rest of my life!! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Christy says
Love it! I am officially addicted to the pumpkin spice latte, but could live without the accompanying price tag. Any idea how long the syrup would keep in the fridge? Thanks!
Stephanie says
This is fantastic! So excited to try it!!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Thanks for the linkback to my recipe. And that pumpkin syrup sounds great!
Keeley @ My Life on a Plate says
Wow... thanks for sharing this! I plan to make a batch this weekend and use it in my coffee. I do enjoy the occasional PSL from Starbucks, but this is much more cost-effective.