3-Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Latte Copycat

🎃 What Is a Pumpkin Spice Latte?

A Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) is a seasonal coffee beverage made famous by Starbucks. It blends:

• Espresso or strong coffee

• Steamed milk

• Pumpkin, warm spices (like cinnamon and nutmeg), and vanilla

• Optional whipped cream or toppings

Beloved for its creamy texture and cozy autumnal flavors, it’s the unofficial drink of fall. But traditional versions often require a long list of ingredients and tools.

This simplified recipe recreates the essence of a PSL with just three pantry-friendly ingredients and zero barista skills required.

✅ Why You’ll Love This 3-Ingredient Version

• Quick & Easy: Ready in under 5 minutes!

• Minimal Ingredients: Only three essentials required.

• No Equipment Needed: No espresso machine, frother, or special tools.

• Budget-Friendly: Save $5+ per cup by skipping the coffee shop.

• Fully Customizable: Dairy-free, decaf, sugar-conscious? No problem.

Whether you’re a PSL lover or just want a fall-flavored coffee fix, this version delivers.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

The Big 3:

1. Pumpkin Spice Creamer
   Choose a store-bought pumpkin spice coffee creamer (dairy or non-dairy) that includes pumpkin flavor, spices, and sweetness. Popular options:

   • Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Creamer (dairy)

   • Nutpods Pumpkin Spice (dairy-free)

   • Califia Farms Pumpkin Spice Almond Milk Creamer

2. Brewed Coffee or Espresso
   Use your favorite method:

   • Fresh brewed coffee (medium-dark roast preferred)

   • Instant coffee

   • Moka pot

   • Espresso (optional but richer)

3. Milk of Choice
   Dairy or plant-based (oat, almond, soy, coconut). Barista-style oat milk froths best if you like foam.

🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Brew Your Coffee

• Brew 6–8 oz of strong coffee or 1–2 espresso shots.

• For stronger flavor, reduce water-to-ground ratio slightly.

Pro Tip: Want a stronger Starbucks-like base? Mix 2 Tbsp instant espresso powder with 6 oz hot water.

Step 2: Heat and Froth the Milk

• In a saucepan or microwave, warm ½–¾ cup of your milk of choice.

• Optional: Froth it using a whisk, French press, handheld frother, or mason jar (shake vigorously).

Step 3: Add Pumpkin Spice Creamer

• Add 3–4 tablespoons of pumpkin spice creamer directly to the hot milk. Stir well to blend.

• Adjust the amount to your taste—more for sweetness, less for subtlety.

Step 4: Combine & Serve

• In your favorite mug, combine brewed coffee and pumpkin spice milk mixture.

• Stir, then top with foam (optional).

• Garnish with a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a cinnamon stick for extra fall vibes.

🍁 Optional Add-ins and Customizations

Flavor Boosts

• Vanilla extract: ¼ tsp for a softer, rounded flavor

• Pumpkin puree: 1 tsp for more real pumpkin

• Pumpkin spice mix: ¼ tsp for stronger spice notes

Sweeteners

• Maple syrup: 1 tsp for natural sweetness

• Brown sugar: dissolves well and adds depth

Texture & Toppings

• Whipped cream: classic PSL finish

• Cinnamon sugar or nutmeg dusting

• Crushed graham crackers or granola on top

🧊 How to Make It Iced

1. Brew coffee and chill it (or use cold brew).

2. Fill a glass with ice.

3. Combine cold milk and pumpkin spice creamer in a separate glass and stir or froth cold.

4. Pour chilled coffee over ice, then pour in creamer-milk mix.

5. Top with cold foam or a swirl of whipped cream.

🍪 Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a slice of pumpkin bread, banana muffin, or oat cookies.

• Add a small cinnamon stick to stir your drink and infuse warm aroma.

• Pair with a cozy breakfast or enjoy as a mid-afternoon treat.

Perfect for fall brunches, chilly mornings, or even a work-from-home coffee break.

⚖️ Nutrition & Dietary Info

Estimated per serving (using ¾ cup whole milk, 6 oz coffee, 3 Tbsp creamer):

• Calories: ~160–200

• Sugar: ~12–20g (varies by creamer)

• Caffeine: 90–120mg (coffee strength dependent)

• Fat: 6–10g

Make It Healthier

• Use unsweetened almond or oat milk to cut calories

• Try low-sugar or sugar-free creamer options

• Use decaf coffee to enjoy late at night

• Skip whipped cream if watching fat intake

✅ No alcohol, pork, bacon, or animal-derived additives required. Fully vegetarian. Vegan if using non-dairy creamer + milk.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: Yes! You can pre-mix the milk and creamer portion and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just heat and pour over fresh coffee when ready.

Q: Can I use real pumpkin instead of creamer?

A: Absolutely. Blend 1 Tbsp pumpkin puree with ½ tsp pumpkin spice, 1 Tbsp maple syrup, and warm milk. But this adds more ingredients—great for a more “from scratch” version.

Q: What’s the best creamer to use?

A: That depends on your preference! For convenience, try:

• Starbucks or International Delight Pumpkin Spice (sweet/dairy)

• Nutpods or Califia Farms (dairy-free/low sugar)

• Chobani Pumpkin Spice Oat Creamer (great with oat milk)

Q: Does it taste like the Starbucks version?

A: Surprisingly, yes! Especially when using their official bottled creamer. While it lacks espresso machine froth, it delivers rich pumpkin-spice flavor with minimal effort.

Q: Can I make it keto or low carb?

A: Yes. Use keto-friendly pumpkin spice creamer (like from Nutpods or Califia), unsweetened almond milk, and skip any added sugars.

Final Thoughts: Fall in a Mug—The Easy Way

This 3-ingredient Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe proves you don’t need a barista’s toolkit to sip on fall magic. With your favorite creamer, coffee, and milk, you’ll be cozied up with a PSL in minutes.

Whether you’re watching the leaves fall, lighting your favorite autumn candle, or need a cozy work break, this homemade drink delivers everything you love about fall—simple, warm, spiced, and satisfying.

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Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later or share with friends who need a quick PSL fix this season.