Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte

Name: Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 8 cups water; ½ tsp. ground ginger; ½ tsp. ground cardamom; ½ tsp. ground cloves ((you can use whole cloves too)); 2 medium cinnamon sticks; 3 standard tea bags chai tea; 3 cups unsweetened almond milk ((or milk of your choice)); 1 tbsp. pumpkin puree ((be generous with your tablespoon - don't level it)); 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice ((no sugar added if purchased - see link above)); 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract; honey or stevia ((to taste))

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At A Glance
Make a cozy pumpkin spice chai latte at home with real pumpkin, chai tea, and warm spices. Use dairy or non-dairy milk, lightly sweeten, and foam for an at-home café feel. Ready in 10 minutes.

Front focus. A glass mug filled with Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte sits on a saucer with a spoon at it's side.

This pumpkin spice chai latte blends strong chai, pumpkin puree, and a simple spice mix for a creamy fall drink you can make in minutes. You control the milk, sweetness, and spice so it tastes like the café version without the syrups.

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What’s In A Pumpkin Spice Chai latte?

The main difference between a pumpkin spice latte and a pumpkin spice chai latte is that the former uses coffee and only pumpkin pie spice. The latter uses chai tea and several more spices.

Dripping honey into a Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte in a glass mug.

What You’ll Need To Make A Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte

Water – Use good, filtered water that doesn’t taste like chlorine.
Ground ginger
Ground cardamom
Ground cloves – You can use whole cloves, too
Cinnamon sticks
Chai tea bags
Unsweetened almond milk – Or milk of your choice
Pumpkin puree – Not pumpkin pie filling
Pumpkin pie spice – No sugar added.
Pure vanilla extract – No vanilla flavoring.
Honey or stevia – Or whichever sweetener you prefer.

Best Milk And Sweetener

Milk options: use whole milk for the best foam, or almond, oat, soy, or coconut for dairy-free.
Sweetener: start with 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey, adjust in ½ teaspoon steps.

Why It Works:

Whisking pumpkin and spice into warm milk before foaming the milk blends flavors evenly and gives your latte a wonderfully cozy feel.

How To Make A Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte

Gather and measure all the ingredients.
In a large pot, combine the water and spices. Cover, bring to a boil, and let simmer for 30 minutes. (Even with the pot covered, a good third of the water will evaporate.) Turn off the heat.
Pour liquid through a fine strainer and discard the cinnamon sticks. Rinse out the pot, pour the liquid back in. Add the tea bags, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags.
Whisk in the milk and pumpkin puree. If serving right away, reheat the liquid but do not boil. Pour into hot mugs.
Sweeten to taste with honey or stevia and serve.

Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte recipe ingredients on a wood surface. Overhead focus.

Adding vanilla extract to the Pumpkin Spice Chai in a pot.

Adding pumpkin puree to a pot of Pumpkin Spice Chai.

Overhead focus. A glass mug of Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte on a white saucer with a silver spoon.

Front focus. A glass mug on a white saucer filled with Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte.

Pro Recipe Tips

Keep non-dairy milk under 140°F for a smoother foam.
If the drink tastes flat, add a tiny pinch of salt.
For a thicker texture, add 1 extra tablespoon of pumpkin puree.

Recipe Variations

Iced pumpkin spice chai latte: chill chai, use cold-foam milk, pour over ice.
Decaf: use decaf chai.
Extra cozy: stir in 1 teaspoon of coconut cream or dairy cream before foaming.

Make Ahead And Storage

Mix a double batch of spiced milk up to 3 days ahead and store it covered in the fridge. Shake and reheat gently.
Do not store assembled with tea; combine when serving.

Closeup front focus. A glass mug of Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte.

FAQs

Is a pumpkin spice chai latte caffeinated?

Yes. Chai has black tea. Use decaf chai to reduce caffeine.

Can I make it without pumpkin puree?

Yes. Increase the spice slightly and add 1 to 2 teaspoons of coconut cream or regular cream.

What is the best non-dairy milk for foam?

Oat and soy will give you the best non-dairy foam. Almond works too, but it gives you a lighter foam.

How do I add protein without clumps?

Whisk your collagen or whey isolate into warm milk before foaming and keep the milk below 160°F.

More Homemade Latte Recipes

How To Make A Healthy Latte

I wrote the guide for setting yourself up to be your own barista at home! I’ll give you 20 recipes along with milk temperatures, healthier sweetener ideas, and more.
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RECIPES USED:

Pumpkin Spice

A delicious homemade version of this coffee house favorite.

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 1 10

Servings: servings

Calories: 19kcal

Ingredients

8 cups water
½ tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground cardamom
½ tsp. ground cloves (you can use whole cloves too)
2 medium cinnamon sticks
3 standard tea bags chai tea
3 cups unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
1 tbsp. pumpkin puree (be generous with your tablespoon – don't level it)
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (no sugar added if purchased – see link above)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
honey or stevia (to taste)

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Gather and measure all the ingredients.
In a large pot, combine the water and spices. Cover, bring to a boil and let simmer for 30 minutes. (Even with the pot covered, a good third of the water will evaporate.) Turn off the heat.
Pour liquid through a fine strainer and discard the cinnamon sticks. Rinse out the pot, pour the liquid back in. Add the tea bags, cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags.
Whisk in the milk and pumpkin puree. If serving right away, reheat the liquid but do not boil. Pour into hot mugs.
Sweeten to taste with honey or stevia and serve.

Notes

***If not serving right away, let cool, then transfer to a carafe and refrigerate. Re-warm to serve, sweetening to taste.***

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted on 11/11/12.