Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
Make your own Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte at home! With real pumpkin, pumpkin spices, and milk, it’s so easy to whip up and tastes so delicious! The perfect fall drink!
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This Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte is like getting a warm and comforting hug in a cup. It’s the perfect drink to snuggle up with on a chilly fall day, especially if you’re not much of a coffee drinker like me. I only have a cup in the morning, but sometimes I just crave the cozy goodness of a chai latte. Trust me, this recipe is perfect for those moments.
If you’ve never tried making a chai latte at home before, don’t worry. I’ll guide you through the process of creating a flavorful Starbucks inspired pumpkin chai right at home that costs way less per drink. And if you really want to take it to the next level, add a dollop or two of homemade pumpkin whipped cream on top. It’s pure bliss, I promise.
What is a Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte?
I’m sure many of you already know this, but for those who are wondering, let me tell you about this amazing drink!
A specialty drink that comes out in the fall in Starbucks, it’s a combination of chai tea concentrate, milk, pumpkin spice cold foam, and pumpkin spice topping; basically a pumpkin and chai lovers dream.
But my homemade version of Starbucks Pumpkin Chai has brewed tea, milk, real pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice. You can make this pumpkin masala chai without any of the fancy ingredients or complicated steps, and it’s much better than coffee shops.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Perfect for fall: This homemade pumpkin spice chai latte is the perfect drink for fall with its blend of pumpkin and warm spices. It has a subtle pumpkin flavor and is so creamy.
- Easy to make: You don’t need to be a barista to enjoy this delicious drink! It’s easy to make at home with just a few ingredients and simple steps.
- Healthy: Not only is it incredibly tasty, but it’s also packed with health benefits; chai or tea is known for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, while pumpkin is loaded with vitamins and fiber.
- Make it your own: Want a dairy-free option or looking to cut back on sugar? No worries! You can easily customize this recipe to fit your dietary needs and preferences.
Ingredients
*Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.
- Pumpkin puree: I recommend using canned pumpkin puree. It gives the lattes a consistent and Starbucks-like taste.
- Black tea bags: Any black tea like orange pekoe or Earl Grey will work. You can even use chai tea bags that are already infused with spices.
- Milk: Whole milk is best for a creamy texture. If you prefer skimmed milk, use less water and more milk.
- Maple syrup: This adds a bold and warm sweetness.
- Spices: I usually use my homemade pumpkin spice mix, but you can easily use a store-bought pumpkin pie spice mix.
Substitutions
For dairy-free milk, you can try using almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk or oat milk. If you want to make it thicker, you can create a cornflour slurry by mixing 1 to 2 teaspoons of cornflour with a bit of milk. Just add it to the latte and whisk until it becomes creamy and thick.
Tip: It’s best not to boil almond milk because it can curdle.
As for the sweetness, I personally like adding a combination of brown sugar and maple syrup to enhance the flavor, but it’s totally up to you. If you prefer, you can coconut sugar, maple sugar or any sugar substitutes.
If using loose tea, use 3 to 4 tablespoons and let it boil. After boiling, strain the tea and add milk to it while heating it up.
If you have chai concentrate on hand, you can totally use it instead of brewing tea. Just use around 3 to 4oz per person or 2 cups for this recipe.
For a bolder chai flavor, add whole chai spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and ginger to the boiling water, then discard before blending. Add a pinch of black pepper to the warm latte.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
This pumpkin spice chai latte recipe is a breeze to make and is ready in 10 minutes.
*Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.
Brew tea: First, heat up some water in a saucepan. Once it starts boiling, drop in the tea bags. Let them boil for a few minutes until the water turns a dark golden color. That’s when you know the tea is perfectly brewed. Remove the tea bags by simply pressing them with the back of a spoon against the saucepan to get out as much tea as possible. Toss out those used tea bags.
Add milk: Now, add the milk to the saucepan and heat it up while giving it an occasional stir. Just make sure not to let it boil. We don’t want it to get too hot!
Add spices and pumpkin: Next, it’s time to stir in the vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, brown sugar, and pumpkin puree. Cook everything together on medium heat for a few minutes. You’ll start to smell those cozy fall flavors!
Blend and serve: If you want that extra frothy goodness, you have a few options. You can either transfer your pumpkin chai latte to a blender and blend it in batches until it’s nice and frothy.
Or, if you have an immersion blender, you can use that right in the saucepan. And if you prefer the simple route, serve the latte in a mug and use a milk frother to blend it right in there.
To finish it off, top your pumpkin chai latte with pumpkin whipped cream, a sprinkle of star anise, and cinnamon sticks. It’s ready to be enjoyed!
Tip: Pair with pumpkin banana muffins for a cozy fall breakfast or snack.
How to Make Iced Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte
Nothing beats the heat quite like an iced latte, and if you’re still not into fall weather yet, make iced pumpkin chai! Here’s how to make it:
- Brew the tea: Start by brewing tea. Allow it to cool completely.
- Mix the ingredients: In a blender, combine the cooled tea, milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. Blend until smooth.
- Serve: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour your blended pumpkin chai mixture over the ice.
- Top it off: Top your iced latte with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of nutmeg or pumpkin spice, and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Just like with the hot version, you can adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Tip: You can also chill the hot pumpkin spice chai to make this iced version.
How To Store
Store the leftover latte in an airtight container or a glass jar with a lid. Pop it into the fridge, and it will keep there for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy it, give it a good stir or a shake (if it’s in a jar) to mix the spices back in, since they may settle at the bottom. You can enjoy it cold, straight from the fridge, or heat it up in the microwave or on the stove.
Just remember – if it was topped with whipped cream, you’d want to add a fresh dollop after reheating!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a regular Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte doesn’t have coffee in it. It’s mainly made with chai tea and spices. But, if you’re a coffee enthusiast, you can totally jazz it up by adding a shot of espresso, turning it into a Pumpkin Spice Dirty Chai Latte!
Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the regular milk with your favorite dairy-free alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Make sure not to boil after adding them, as they tend to curdle.
Yes! A Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte does contain caffeine. The caffeine comes from the black tea. While it’s not quite as caffeine-heavy as your typical cup of coffee, it does offer a gentle pick-me-up.
More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love:
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Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
Equipment
- Blender, Milk Frother
Ingredients
- 3 tea bags*
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups whole milk*
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar*
- pumpkin whipped cream to serve
Instructions
- Heat water in a saucepan. When it comes to a boil, add in the tea bags. Allow them to steep until the water turns dark golden. Squeeze out excess tea from the tea bags using the back of a spoon against the saucepan, then discard the tea bags.2 cups water, 3 tea bags*
- Add the milk and heat, stirring occasionaly. Don't let it boil.2 cups whole milk*
- Stir in the vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, brown sugar and pumpkin puree and cook for a few minutes on medium heat.1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp brown sugar*, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- You can transfer your pumpkin chai latte to a blender in batches and blend until it's nice and frothy. Or you can use an immersion blender to blend it in the pan. Or serve in a mug and, using a frother, blend the chai latte in the mug.
- Top with pumpkin whipped cream, star anise, and cinnamon stick and serve.
