Put down that Starbucks cup. This Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte is SO. MUCH. BETTER.

Ok, ok, ok. I get that it is easier to go to your favorite coffee shop (Starbucks or otherwise), and pay to have someone else make a fancy coffee drink for you. But hear me out. You can save yourself time (because you don't actually have to get yourself to that coffee shop and back) AND money (because HOT DAMN those drinks cost a small fortune) by making them yourself. And as a bonus, if you use high quality coffee and have a couple of special tools on hand, your homemade coffee drinks can actually taste BETTER than the coffee shop version because you can fully control everything from the type of coffee to the sweetness level to suit little ol' you.

For hardcore fans of fancy coffee drinks (cappuccinos, lattes, cortados, etc), I highly recommend investing in a proper espresso machine with a steam wand for steaming/frothing your milk (or preferred milk substitute). Yes, it's an investment, but let's be honest.... if you added up the amount of money you've spent on those coffee drinks at your usual coffee shop, you've probably paid for a couple of espresso machines by now. My husband is a HUGE coffee drinker and did massive amounts of research before settling on this machine, which we love.

If your fancy-coffee-drink intake is less of an obsession and more of a pretty regular treat, I would suggest getting yourself an electric milk frother like this one. It will take your milk from cold to hot and foamy in less than a minute and doesn't require anywhere near the investment or counter space as a full-blown espresso machine.

If you're more of a fancy coffee drink dabbler, you can make this (or pretty much any) drink using a blender or an inexpensive handheld milk frother like this one. The downside to this option is that you have to dirty additional dishes because the milk still needs to be heated up before it gets frothed.

No matter which option feels right for you, you'll find instructions in the recipe below. Because everyone deserves a fancy coffee drink now and then. 😉

Let's get brewing, shall we?

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk (or unsweetened milk substitute of choice)

• 1-2 shots of freshly brewed espresso (or 1 cup of strong, freshly brewed coffee)

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

• 1/2 teaspoon Autumn Spice Blend (plus more for sprinkling, if desired)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but delightful)

• 1-2 teaspoons sweetener of choice (optional)

Directions using an electric milk frother or an espresso machine with a steam wand: Steam cold milk using your milk frother or steam wand. Mix pumpkin puree, Autumn Spice Blend, vanilla extract (if using), and sweetener (if using) into your hot coffee. Pour steamed milk over coffee, sprinkle with additional Autumn Spice Blend (if desired), and ENJOY!

Directions using a blender or handheld milk frother: Heat milk on the stovetop or in the microwave so that it is hot but not quite boiling (especially if you are using real milk, as it will curdle). Remove from heat and froth using your handheld frother or by blitzing the mixture in a blender until it is foamy (about 30 seconds). Mix pumpkin puree, Autumn Spice Blend, vanilla extract (if using), and sweetener (if using) into your hot coffee. Pour frothy milk over coffee, sprinkle with additional Autumn Spice Blend (if desired), and ENJOY!

And I have even more good news... If the weather outside isn't quite feeling like Autumn yet, this drink is great over ice!