How To Make the Best Pumpkin Spice Latte & Frappe at Home
Indulge in the cozy flavors of autumn with these homemade pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin spice frappe recipes. Made with real pumpkin puree and warm spices, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon (or whatever you choose!), these delicious drinks are the perfect fall treat.
Autumn may only come once a year, but pumpkin spice season is forever! Whether you’re team PSL simply enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, or just love experimenting with fall flavors, these recipes for a pumpkin spice frappe and pumpkin spice latte are must-haves for cozy mornings or indulgent afternoons.
The warm flavors of pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice blend together beautifully to recreate the comforting taste of your favorite cafe drinks—no trip to Starbucks or Dunkin required!
I have to admit that I’m not a huge pumpkin spice fan (give me a maple cinnamon dolce latte any day!), but this recipe is a fun autumn treat when you want to mix things up—especially when you add the homemade whipped cream!
We also love serving it when friends visit. I love that you can make it with essential oils, and you can easily substitute with some ground spices. Either way, it’s a delicious fall staple that is a crowd pleaser!
What is a Pumpkin Spice Latte and a Pumpkin Spice Frappe?
A pumpkin spice latte (PSL) is the ultimate fall beverage, combining the bold flavor of coffee with the warm and cozy spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, along with creamy milk and real pumpkin puree for that signature autumn taste.
On the other hand, a pumpkin spice frappe takes those same delicious flavors and blends them with ice, creating a cool and refreshing version of the classic PSL, perfect for those fall days that still feel like summer.
Both drinks can be easily made at home, tailored to your taste, and topped with whipped cream or coconut whip for a cafe-quality finish-without the cafe price tag!
Why make these Pumpkin Spice Latte and Frappe Recipes?
These DIY pumpkin spice recipes offer the perfect blend of seasonal flavor, convenience, and customization. Whether you’re cozying up at home or hosting friends, these drinks are guaranteed to impress. Here’s why you’ll love them:
- They’re healthier than store-bought. Made with real pumpkin puree, natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, and your milk of choice, they’re a wholesome alternative to commercial versions. You’re in control of the ingredients!
- They’re budget-friendly. Skip the premium prices of Starbucks or coffee shops and make your own for a fraction of the cost.
- They’re customizable. Whether you prefer almond milk, oat milk, or classic dairy, these recipes can be adapted to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
- They’re simple and quick. With just a blender or saucepan, these drinks can come together in under 10 minutes—perfect for busy mornings or last-minute cravings.
- Seasonal joy at home. Bring the cozy autumn vibes into your kitchen, topped with whipped cream or caramel drizzle, and enjoy the irresistible aroma of pumpkin pie spices.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Ingredients
- Strongly brewed coffee or espresso: I absolutely love Purity coffee, when it comes to coffee beans!
- Milk: I alternate between using raw milk and using 1/2 almond milk and 1/2 full-fat coconut milk!
- Pumpkin puree: Make sure to get pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie mix. We usually get ours from Thrive Market or Azure Standard.
- Maple syrup or honey
- Vanilla extract
- Thieves Vitality or Pumpkin Pie Seasoning: If using essential oils, you can also use cinnamon bark, nutmeg, ginger, or clove vitality. Alternatively, you can use 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
- Ground cinnamon
Pumpkin Spice Frappe Ingredients
- Cooled strong coffee or espresso
- Milk: I alternate between using raw milk and using 1/2 almond milk and 1/2 full-fat coconut milk!
- Pumpkin puree: Make sure to get pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie mix. We usually get ours from Thrive Market or Azure Standard.
- Maple syrup or honey: I like the taste of maple syrup, but you can use whatever sweetener you like best!
- Vanilla extract
- Thieves Vitality: If using essential oils, you can also use cinnamon bark, nutmeg, ginger, or clove vitality.
- Ice: You can either blend the ingredients together for a more classic frappe or serve over ice.
Choosing Coffee Brewing Options
One of the things I love about this recipe is that you can truly make it with whatever you have on hand! With busy schedules and small children, we usually use a drip coffee maker during the week. The weekends are for pour-over or French press!
- Drip coffee maker: This is our everyday coffee maker that we love. It can make a pot or a single cup, which is really nice!
- Pour-over coffee: Another weekend coffee option, this is one we use camping or on vacation. (I always get worried about rentals cleaning their machines, ha! So we take something easy like pour-over to make our morning coffee.)
- French press: This is our weekend coffee option. We also love it for camping alongside this staple!
- Stovetop mocha pot: A cup of espresso is such a treat in our house. This stovetop mocha pot is easy to use, so you can make a traditional latte or other espresso drink without all the fanfare! We enjoy this espresso blend in regular and decaf. Because we use half-caffeine coffee anyway, we simply mix the two!
Choosing Coffee for a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Frappe
As for types of coffee, everyone has their own preferences and tastes. We look at food as an investment in our health, so we choose organic, certified mold-free coffee from Purity Coffee. We have also enjoyed this Swiss Water Decaf coffee for years!
The most important thing is to choose whole bean varieties and grind your coffee right before brewing. We have and love this grinder!
Pumpkin Spice Latte/Frappe Variations
- Extra creamy frappe: Freeze your milk of choice in an ice cube tray before blending for a thicker texture.
- Maple-cinnamon twist: Replace vanilla extract with maple extract and add extra cinnamon for a unique twist.
I hope you love this recipe!
Pumpkin Spice Latte & Pumpkin Spice Frappe
Make the best pumpkin spice latte or frappe at home with real pumpkin puree, warm spices, and delicious maple syrup for the ultimate fall treat! Easily customizable, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Spice Latte:
- 2 cups strongly brewed coffee or espresso
- 1.5 cups milk of choice (I like to use 1/2 almond milk and 1/2 full-fat coconut milk!)
- 3 Tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Thieves Vitality or 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Seasoning + 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pumpkin Spice Frappe
- 2 cups cooled strong coffee or espresso
- 3/4 cup milk of choice
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 drop Thieves Vitality (Cinnamon Bark, Nutmeg, Ginger, or Clove Vitality would all work!) - add oil to sweetener before blending
- Large handful of ice
Instructions
Pumpkin Spice Latte:
- Combine all of the ingredients except the Thieves Vitality in a saucepan over medium-high heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally until it is slightly frothy on top.
- Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, and then add 1-2 drops of Thieves Vitality or whisk in the ground spices.
- Use an immersion blender to stir and make the coffe foamy. You can also put it in a blender on high for 30 seconds (make sure to leave out the plastic tab in the middle of the blender top to release steam).
- Divide into 4 mugs and serve!
Pumpkin Spice Frappe:
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender, and blend well to desired consistency.
- Top with homemade whip or coconut whipped cream, caramel drizzle, a sprinkle of cinnamon, whatever makes you happy!
Notes
- You defintely don't have to use essential oils in this one. I've done it both ways, and the ground spices are just as delicious!
- Freeze your milk of choice in an ice cube tray before blending for a thicker texture. You can also do this with your coffee! If you ever have coffee leftover (or espress!), pour it into ice cube trays to freeze for this recipe.
- Replace the vanilla extract with maple extract and add extra cinnamon and a bit of ground nutmeg for a unique twist.
- Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract for a different fall treat!
