This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy
Watch the recipe
On October 10th 2023 (2 days before this blog post went live!), the Pumpkin Spice Latte turned 20. Wow, isn’t this crazy! I admit that I’m definitely part of the crowd who loves it when fall rolls around and the cozy vibes come around - and part of those cozy vibes include everything pumpkin-flavored!
If pumpkin spice everything is near and dear to your heart like it is to mine, then you’re going to love making your very own pumpkin spice latte that’s iced at home! You’ll see later in this post, this really is a made-from-scratch recipe. While I love to go get my fix at Starbucks, I do find there’s something rewarding about making your own replica of your favorite coffee shop beverage, just like when you make your favorite restaurant meals at home! To put your heart in a glass and celebrate 20 years of pumpkin spice, make this recipe as part of your Live to Cook one-month challenge! Get started on your cooking journey for free by signing up to my newsletter, plus you’ll get all of my latest recipes sent straight to your inbox!
Be sure to watch the video to see the entire process in making this Starbucks favorite! If you haven’t already, it would mean a lot to me if you would please subscribe to my YouTube channel, and be sure to press the bell button to be notified when all of my video recipes go live! Let’s get brewing!
What is an Iced Latte?▼
Let’s begin by checking out the official definition of the drink!
Our signature espresso and milk—with the celebrated flavor combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove—served over ice. Enjoy it topped with whipped cream and real pumpkin-pie spices.
source: Starbucks.com
In my own words, a latte is a coffee drink that contains 1/3 part espresso and 2/3 milk, with the addition of sweetener, if desired. Lattes can be hot or cold. The Pumpkin Spice Latte therefore contains a base sweetener of pumpkin sauce, and you get the “pumpkin spice” flavor from the sauce and the garnish of pumpkin spice over the whipped cream! The “iced” latte simply is the drink served over ice, as the name suggests.
What is in Starbucks iced Latte?▼
Here’s the actual ingredient list:
MILK, ICE, PUMPKIN SPICE SAUCE [SUGAR, CONDENSED SKIM MILK, PUMPKIN PUREE, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE FOR COLOR, NATURAL FLAVORS, ANNATTO, SALT, POTASSIUM SORBATE], BREWED ESPRESSO, WHIPPED CREAM [CREAM (CREAM, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, CARAGEENAN), VANILLA SYRUP (SUGAR, WATER, NATURAL FLAVORS, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CITRIC ACID)], PUMPKIN SPICE TOPPING [CINNAMON, GINGER, NUTMEG, CLOVE, SULFITING AGENTS]
source: Starbucks.com
We’ll follow a similar formula in our recipe, but there will be actual pumpkin in my version, and we’re keeping things as natural as possible!
Why You Need to Make This Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte Starbucks-Style Recipe!
- Refreshing: Since you’ll be in your own home drinking this, even on the chillier days of fall you can enjoy a cold beverage! You get fall flavors in a cold drink!
- Fast: If the pumpkin sauce and coffee are prepared (and your own whipped cream if you’re using it!) then you only need a solid minute to assemble the drink! You can make the coffee in advance in this case since it’s going to be iced, so it doesn’t have to be hot anyway! However, if you leave your coffee in your French press, it will stay hot for quite some time!
- Easy: As quick as a homemade latte is to make, it’s also easy to make! Making your own pumpkin sauce and whipped cream don’t have to be intimidating, so I recommend you check out the full recipes for more details to master those! When those are ready, the actual drink is just the process of assembly!
- Minimal ingredients: We’re going all-natural with this recipe by making all of the components from scratch, as I pride myself in doing! As you saw above, there are quite a lot of processed ingredients going on there!
- Wallet-friendly: In Canada as of October 2023, a grande latte will cost $6.45 CAD without tax! With this recipe, you can serve TWO grandes for a fraction of the cost, plus you’ll have lots of leftover pumpkin spice, pumpkin sauce, and
- Fall favorite: 20 years of pumpkin spice, can you believe it? Granted, I’ve only become familiar with pumpkin spice since coming to Canada, so that’s half of its lifetime I’ve been attached to pumpkin spice! With this recipe, you can celebrate this milestone any day any time!
Tools Needed to Make Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home
You’ll need a few pieces of equipment to make this iced latte at home! However, there are definitely alternatives, so read on to find out more!
- Ramekin: I like to keep my Pumpkin Pie Spice in a ramekin. A better storage option would of course be a glass spice jar, but the pumpkin spice disappears quite quickly here so it’s okay for me to leave it uncovered for easy access!
- Saucepan: Needed if you’re making your own pumpkin sauce.
- Whisk: To mix together the sugar and water in the pumpkin sauce.
- French press: To brew your coffee if you don’t have an espresso machine.
- Measuring cup: To measure the amount of pumpkin puree you’ll need for the pumpkin sauce.
- Measuring spoons: To measure the vanilla extract and pumpkin spice you’ll need for the pumpkin sauce.
- Spatula: To stir your pumpkin sauce in the saucepan.
- Mason jar: To store your extra pumpkin sauce.
- Ice cube tray: For your ice cubes, which are definitely needed for an iced latte!
- Serving glass: I like to serve my Starbucks at home drinks in Starbucks cups I’ve cleaned up and saved just for presentation purposes, but on a day-to-day basis the Zwilling double-walled glasses are my favorite! They retain heat and cold without bothering your fingertips!
- Whipped cream dispenser: If you’re making your own whipped cream, you’ll need this tool! If you’re on the fence about which whipped cream dispenser to buy and/or how to use it, check out my full guide on how to use it here!
If you already own an espresso machine to brew your espresso, then of course I recommend you use it! However, I don’t own one, so my method to make the strongest coffee without an espresso machine is to boil my water in my coffee maker and then brew my coffee in my French press. If you don’t have a French press either, then simply make some coffee in your coffee maker, you’ll be fine!
Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom of this post or press the “Jump to Recipe” button for the FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD which will allow you to see the full ingredient list and their quantities and save the recipe for later. You can also scale the recipe if you want to double or triple the amount of lattes you want to make - all individual ingredient quantities are automatically adjusted for you!
For the Pumpkin Spice
For the Pumpkin Sauce
- Pumpkin puree: You can use canned pumpkin puree or make your own!
- Condensed milk: You can use the canned sweetened condensed milk, but if you have a lactose intolerance, I recommend you try out my Lactose-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk!
- Table sugar
- Water
- Pumpkin spice
- Vanilla extract
For the Iced Latte
- Ice cubes
- Espresso or strong coffee: Either option that you have on hand will work here. As I mention in my Make Cooking Fun! free guide, if there is a suitable substitute that you have at home, then you should use the ingredient that you already have instead of going to the store to buy something new! If you’re using ground coffee, I recommend you use double the amount of ground coffee to espresso.
- Water: To brew the coffee or espresso.
- Milk: By definition, a latte needs milk! 2/3 of the beverage contains milk, to be precise. My favorite milk to use with my coffee beverages is whole milk because it gives the richest and creamiest texture, but use whatever milk you want.
- Pumpkin spice: As described above or store-bought.
- Pumpkin sauce: As described above or store-bought.
- Whipped cream: You can use your favorite whipped cream from an aerosol can, but I prefer to use my homemade whipped cream recipe since you get the texture and taste of Starbucks’ whipped cream!
How to Make a Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
For the Pumpkin Pie Spice
To make this pumpkin pie spice recipe, all you need to do is mix all the spices together in a plate or shake the ingredients together in an airtight jar.
For the Pumpkin Sauce
In a saucepan, add the water and sugar and turn on the heat. Whisk well and warm the mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once dissolved, add the pumpkin puree, condensed milk, pumpkin spice and vanilla extract. Heat for 1-2 minutes and then turn off the heat. Pour out the pumpkin syrup into a mason jar for storage in the refrigerator.
For the Iced Latte
Prepare the espresso using an espresso machine. Alternatively, prepare espresso-like coffee using a French press.
Add 2-3 Tbsp of pumpkin sauce to the bottom of the cup. Then, pour in the coffee and mix the pumpkin sauce and coffee well.
Add in ice cubes, followed by the milk. Top with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin spice for garnish.
Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Latte
- If making your own pumpkin sauce, be sure to use pumpkin PUREE and NOT pumpkin PIE FILLING! This will really ruin your sauce because the pumpkin pie filling is actually loaded with sugar, which we don’t want!
- If making the pumpkin sauce to use right away to make the drink, make sure it cools down completely.
- If you’ve made the pumpkin sauce in advance and noticed it separated, simply give it a shake and you’ll be good to go!
- While you CAN use whatever coffee you have, the quality of your coffee will affect the overall flavor, so aim to use a nice strong coffee.
- To truly replicate the Starbucks recipe, sweeten your drink with both pumpkin sauce and vanilla syrup! Alternatively, you can sweeten the drink with some Table sugar will be perfectly fine for the drink, or you can choose brown sugar, honey, cane sugar, agave syrup or maple syrup for natural sweetener options. You can also use Splenda or Stevia for sugar-free options.
- Allow the brewed coffee to slightly cool down so that your ice doesn’t melt instantly.
- Enjoy immediately so the whipped cream on top doesn’t melt!
Treats to Enjoy with This Iced Latte
Enjoying your homemade Starbucks iced drink with breakfast? Here are some awesome ideas!
- Reese’s Carrot Cake Protein Oats
- Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
- Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Crepes
- Classic Buttermilk Pancakes
Pairing with another sweet treat? Here are my recommendations:
- Gluten-Free Fudgy Banana Brownies
- No-Bake Nutella Cheesecake Pie
- Huge New York Black & White Cookies
- Instant Pot Rice Kheer - Indian Rice Pudding
- Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Questions You May Have!
Can This Iced Latte be Dairy Free?▼
Sure! When it comes to the best cow’s milk substitutes, I recommend using coconut milk and soy milk because they are creamier and richer. If you really feel like it, of course you can use almond milk or oat milk. However, in the case of almond milk, it is likely to thin out your drink due to the low fat content. That being said, if almond milk is your favorite but you really want to keep everything from scratch, then try this recipe with my Homemade Almond Milk Recipe! For oat milk, I really just don’t like it at all in coffee drinks since I find the “oat” taste too prominent.
As for the whipped cream, you can easily find some canned coconut whipped cream at the grocery store. I’ve never made it myself, so I can’t suggest how to make it.
Is There Caffeine in an This Fall Iced Drink?▼
Yes, you’ll find 150 mg of caffeine in the grande version of the iced latte at Starbucks. While I can’t really measure the amount of caffeine that is in my recipe (not to mention it’ll depend on the strength of the ground coffee or espresso you use), there is definitely some caffeine. To have this drink that’s evening-friendly or just for those who want to skip the caffeine, simply substitute with some decaf coffee.
How Can I Make this Iced Latte Lighter?▼
Want this drink to be an every day treat? No problem! All you need to do is use less pumpkin sauce, use a lower-fat milk, and don’t top with whipped cream! You’ll save a considerable amount of calories!
What if I Want a Hot Pumpkin Spice Latte?▼
The temperatures have indeed dropped here so I don’t blame you! Plus, the hot latte really is the iconic drink that we think of “Pumpkin Spice Latte.” I’ve got you covered on exactly what to do with my Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe!
How About a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino?▼
I love frappuccinos! You get all the goodness of the latte but with an even richer treat combining more milk, your coffee, and the pumpkin sauce all blended together. For all the details, be sure to read my Pumpkin Spice Latte Frappuccino recipe!
Other Cold Coffee Recipes
- Starbucks Iced White Chocolate Mocha
- Starbucks Chocolate Cream Cold Brew
- Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso
- Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
- Starbucks Iced Mocha
- Eggnog Dalgona Latte
- Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino
- Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
How to Make an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte Dairy-Free
The latte itself is the easy part to convert. That half cup of milk is the most flexible ingredient in the whole recipe, so oat milk, soy milk, almond milk or coconut milk all pour over the ice exactly the same way. Oat milk is my pick when I want something close to whole milk's body, because a non-dairy milk with a little fat in it stands up to four shots of espresso better than a thin one does. The part that needs a moment's thought is the pumpkin sauce, which is built on sweetened condensed milk: swap in my lactose-free sweetened condensed milk and the sauce comes together the same way, over the same gentle heat until the sugar dissolves. The whipped cream on top is dairy too, so either leave it off or use a coconut-based whip, and finish with the same dash of pumpkin spice either way.
What to Do With Your Leftover Pumpkin Puree
The pumpkin sauce only calls for a third of a cup of pumpkin puree, so opening a can for this drink will leave you with plenty going spare. Don't let it push to the back of the fridge and get forgotten. Freeze what you don't need in the same ice cube tray you already pulled out for the latte, and once the cubes are solid tip them into a bag so you have pre-portioned puree ready for the next batch of sauce. Or put it straight to work: pumpkin puree oatmeal for breakfast, creamy pumpkin pasta for dinner, protein-packed edible pumpkin cookie dough for something sweet, or a Starbucks pumpkin cream cold brew if you would rather have a second coffee. And if you want to skip the can altogether, my guide to homemade pumpkin puree walks through roasting your own.
Espresso, Nespresso and the Glass You Serve It In
Four shots of espresso split between two drinks is what gives this its backbone, and how you pull them is entirely down to whatever sits on your counter. An espresso machine is ideal. A Nespresso or any other pod machine works just as well, so pull your four shots and carry on. No machine at all? The French press method in the recipe above brews something strong enough, and a regular coffee maker will do if you use roughly double the ground coffee, as I note in the ingredients. One thing you will not need is a blender. This is a poured and stirred drink rather than a blended one, which is why the pumpkin sauce goes into the bottom of the cup first and the coffee gets mixed straight into it before the ice and milk go in. For the glass, go tall. A 16 fl oz glass, the same size as a Starbucks grande, leaves room for a generous scoop of ice, the coffee, the milk and a proper cap of whipped cream without any of it going over the rim. A short mug will have you choosing between the ice and the topping, and you want both.
Building the Warm Spices From Scratch
Every warm spice in this blend goes in ground, and that matters more than it sounds. The cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice all need to melt into the sauce and then dust cleanly over the whipped cream, and a cinnamon stick or a handful of whole cloves would simply sit there doing neither. If you like grinding your own, grind first and measure after, and keep the proportions the recipe gives you: cinnamon does the heavy lifting, nutmeg and ginger come next, and the cloves and allspice are there in the smallest amounts because they take over a blend very quickly if you are generous with them. Made ahead, the mix shakes together in an airtight jar in about a minute. There is a standalone homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe on the blog if you want a bigger batch to keep on hand through the fall, and a Starbucks pumpkin spice sauce recipe if you would rather make the syrup on its own.
Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments! If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to post it on social media and tag it with #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cooking.with.anadi. Thank you!
Recipe by Anadi Misra
Craving a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte at home? This easy iced copycat recipe nails the cozy fall flavor in minutes. Cool, creamy, and budget-friendly all season long.
Stovetop
5.0 · 3 ratings
5 min
Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
2
glasses
easy
Level
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tap any quantity to scale
For the pumpkin pie spice
For the pumpkin sauce
- (100 g) table sugarShop →
- (120 ml) water
- (43 g) pumpkin puree · make your own
- (300 ml) condensed milk · make your ownShop →
- (5 g) pumpkin spice · make your ownShop →
- (5 ml) vanilla extractShop →
For the pumpkin spice latte
- espressoShop →
- (120 ml) milk
- ice cubes(as needed)
- (30 ml) pumpkin sauce (as described above) · make your own
- (45 ml) whipped cream (for garnish) · make your own
- pumpkin spice (for garnish) · make your ownShop →
Instructions
For the pumpkin pie spice
- 1
To make this pumpkin pie spice recipe, all you need to do is mix all the spices together in a plate or shake the ingredients together in an airtight jar.
To make this pumpkin pie spice recipe, all you need to do is mix all the spices together in a plate or shake the ingredients together in an airtight jar.
For the pumpkin sauce
- 1
In a saucepan, add the water and sugar and turn on the heat. Whisk well and warm the mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved.
In a saucepan, add the water and sugar and turn on the heat. Whisk well and warm the mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- 2
Once dissolved, add the pumpkin puree, condensed milk, pumpkin spice and vanilla extract. Heat for 1-2 minutes and then turn off the heat. Pour out the pumpkin syrup into a mason jar for storage in the refrigerator.
Once dissolved, add the pumpkin puree, condensed milk, pumpkin spice and vanilla extract. Heat for 1-2 minutes and then turn off the heat. Pour out the pumpkin syrup into a mason jar for storage in the refrigerator.
For the iced latte
- 1
Prepare the espresso using an espresso machine. Alternatively, prepare espresso-like coffee using a French press.
Prepare the espresso using an espresso machine. Alternatively, prepare espresso-like coffee using a French press.
- 2
Add 2–3 tbsp of pumpkin sauce to the bottom of the cup.
Add 2–3 tbsp of pumpkin sauce to the bottom of the cup.
- 3
Then, pour in the coffee and mix the pumpkin sauce and coffee well.
Then, pour in the coffee and mix the pumpkin sauce and coffee well.
- 4
Add in ice cubes, followed by the milk.
Add in ice cubes, followed by the milk.
- 5
Top with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin spice for garnish. Enjoy!
Top with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin spice for garnish. Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Tag @cooking.with.anadi on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithanadi
Tested & written in Anadi’s kitchen
Recipe history
- April 16, 2026 — Reworked and refreshed for the 2026 relaunch — new photography, restructured and standardized ingredients & instructions.
Filed under
You might also like
Treat Yourself to a Homemade Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
Make a creamy Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino at home in minutes! This easy Starbucks copycat recipe tastes just like the real thing and costs a fraction of the price.
Homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Make your favorite fall drink at home! This homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte is quick, creamy, and cheaper than Starbucks. Warm up with the perfect cozy coffee treat today.
How to Make a Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Make Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew at home with this easy copycat recipe. Rich cold brew topped with creamy pumpkin cold foam — ready in minutes and better than the real thing.
How to Make the Perfect Iced Gingerbread Chai Latte
Make a creamy Iced Gingerbread Chai Latte at home in minutes! This easy Starbucks copycat recipe is warm with spice and perfect for sipping cold all season long.
Quench Your Thirst with This Iced Chocolate Latte Recipe
Beat the heat with a creamy Iced Chocolate Latte that comes together in minutes. Rich, refreshing, and easy to make at home, this cold coffee drink is your new warm-weather essential.
Make Your Own Starbucks Iced Mocha at Home
Make your own Starbucks Iced Caffe Mocha at home with this easy copycat recipe. Rich, creamy, and ready in minutes, it tastes just like the real thing for a fraction of the price.
1 comment
I would drink his coffee then to drink normal coffee bec it’s made with proper ingredients
Leave a review
Join 1 cook who've shared a note here.