Everything you need to make pumpkin spice latte at home

Once Halloween candies and costumes start flooding retailers across the country, fall and its tasty bounty isn't too far behind. Pumpkin is the season's unofficial official flavor, whether you take it in pie, soup, or Reese's form.

But if fall was a beverage, it would be the delicious and occasionally polarizing pumpkin spice latte. The drink, that detractors claim is for (their words, not mine) "Ugg-wearing normies" is the perfect embodiment of the season, whether the haters want to come to terms with it or not.

It's a warm, invigorating hug, with just the right amount of sweetness with a spicy finish that smacks of hearth, home, and Hocus Pocus on Disney Channel. Making a PSL at home is easier than you think. Here's how to make a pumpkin spice latte at home.

The science of how to make a pumpkin spice latte at home

The great thing about pumpkin spice lattes is their simplicity. Coffee giant Starbucks is perhaps the culprit when it comes to the drink's popularity, especially in the fall and holiday season. The coffee monolith claims to have sold more than 200 million PSLs from 2003 to 2013. Starbucks knows their pumpkin spice, so it's only natural that my method of making one more or less copies them. That tantalizing flavor is made possible from a simple syrup that's been infused with pumpkin pie spice.

As far as getting the flavor just right, that may take some tinkering. The great thing about simple syrup is that it is truly simple, and you can test out recipes quickly and, more importantly, cheaply. There's a recipe for the drink below, but before we get to that, we should talk about the tools you'll need to properly make and enjoy a pumpkin spice latte at home.

1. Happy Belly Pumpkin Pie Spice

For a no-nonsense spice blend

Pre-ground spices get a bad rap, but if I had to grind cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and who knows what else anytime I wanted to make coffee, I'd catapult myself into the nearest body of water. Grind fresh if you must, but this small container of spices is perfect for PSLs, not to mention any and all fall baking excursions.

$5 at Amazon

2. OXO Good Grips 2-cup Squeeze and Pour Silicone Measuring Cup

For measuring and pouring without spills or headaches

This silicone measuring cup features a honeycomb liner that makes it heatproof, even straight out of the microwave. It bends without breaking and makes for easy measuring and pouring of beverages without spilling a single drop. It's even great for dispensing pancake batter, melting butter, or chocolate, all while being BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.

$19 at Amazon

3. Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine

For quick and easy espresso

You can't make a traditional pumpkin spice latte at home without espresso, and the Nespresso VertuoPlus is one of the easiest ways to get a shot of strong coffee in seconds. It's our pick for the best Nespresso machine on the market right now because of quick brewing, the bevy of drink options, and how little counter space you've got to dedicate to it.

$170 at Amazon

4. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice ground coffee

For a great pumpkin spice-flavored coffee

Capturing that Starbucks pumpkin spice magic at home is easy when you're brewing their coffee. Its well-balanced flavor profile is a great alternative for folks who love pumpkin spice flavor without any added sugar. You can even buy an extra bag to store in the freezer once PSL season ends (just make sure the storage bag is sealed!).

$13 at Amazon

5. OXO Good Grips Basting Bottle

For storing and dispensing pumpkin spice syrup

Once your pumpkin spice syrup is made, you should pour it into a reusable bottle for dosing it out into drinks. This prevents getting sticky syrup all over your counters first thing in the morning. This bottle also comes with a brush head, which is perfect for dousing cakes, muffins, breads, and other treats with pumpkin spice goodness.

$10 at Amazon

6. Subminimal NanoFoamer Lithium Handheld Milk Foamer

For perfectly foamed milk

In the past, if you wanted delicious and silky microfoam in your latte, you had to drop upwards of $8 at a busy coffee house. The NanoFoamer lets you make perfect, latte-art-ready milk without special barista training. It's great for cappuccinos and lattes but also takes chai lattes and hot chocolate to new levels of deliciousness.

$57 at Amazon

7. Vitamin Aer Disc Container

For making cold foam

That irresistible cold foam on top of many popular Starbucks beverages is made by spinning low-fat milk into a faux whipped cream so thick you can practically stand on it.

If you have a Vitamix blender, this container lets you make this cold foam at home in case you prefer your delicious pumpkin spice latte over ice. The Aer Disc Container is also great for other culinary miracles, including easily making hollandaise or muddling cocktails.

$118 at Amazon

8. OXO Steel Angled Measuring Jigger

For getting your pumpkin spice latte just right

Is your PSL too sweet? Perhaps it's not sweet enough? This tiny and attractive measuring cup lets you get the recipe just right, with ounce and tablespoon measurements inside of it. It's great for making pumpkin spice lattes but would be at home in any cocktail bar.

$10 at Amazon

9. Fellow Monty Double Wall Ceramic Latte Mug

For presenting your PSL like a work of art

If you're spending the time and the sweat to make a pumpkin spice latte at home, you shouldn't just pour it into a dusty mug. The Fellow Monty Double Wall Ceramic Latte Mug is perfect for snapping a picture of your latte to flex on the 'gram. Its refined look and matte finish make all drinks served in it pop.

$28 at Amazon

10. Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

For packing along your pumpkin spice latte

With your new knowledge of how to make a pumpkin spice latte at home, you'll never have to linger in a Starbucks drive-thru again. The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug is perfect for taking your pumpkin spice latte with you when you venture out, and it's our favorite travel mug out there. It keeps drinks hot for hours and will keep your PSL perfectly warm as you sip on it in the wild.

$21 at Amazon

How to make pumpkin spice latte at home: the recipe

Now that you've got the tools, here's a quick and easy recipe for pumpkin spice syrup. There are also recipes for both hot and cold pumpkin spice lattes, depending on how you like to take your favorite fall beverage.

How to make pumpkin spice latte syrup

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1 TBL corn syrup, optional
• 2 TBL pumpkin puree, optional

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a small pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

2. Once cool, place in a squirt bottle or mason jar and store in the fridge. It should last a couple of weeks in the fridge—if it lasts that long!

Note: The added corn syrup prevents crystals from growing. Since 2015, Starbucks has added real pumpkin to their syrup, but I think it makes the drink heavy. Put it in or leave it out at your own discretion.

How to make a hot pumpkin spice latte

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup espresso or strong coffee
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1-3 TBL pumpkin spice syrup

Directions

1. Place hot espresso in a mug. Stir in your desired amount of syrup.

2. Steam and froth the milk using a milk frother. If you don't have one, place warmed milk into a French press and pump the plunger up and down until the milk is thick and frothy.

3. Pour frothed milk into the mug and garnish with a little extra pumpkin pie spice if desired. Drink immediately!

How to make a cold pumpkin spice latte

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cold brew coffee or espresso
• 1-3 TBL pumpkin spice syrup
• Water and ice, as needed
• Milk, as needed

Directions

1. Place coffee or espresso in a mug and stir in your desired amount of syrup. Fill with ice. Top off with a little water a few inches below the rim of the glass.

2. Top off with the desired amount of milk. If you like, you can make cold foam using the Vitamix Aer container. Garnish with a little pumpkin pie spice of desired.