Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte

As pumpkin season draws near, pumpkin spice lattes are among the most popular drinks. If you're vegan and want to enjoy a hot or iced vegan pumpkin spice latte, we've got you covered!

This pumpkin spice latte has won the hearts of many during recent years, and no wonder: it tastes delicious and is easy to make. It also charms when paired with our vegan chocolate pumpkin cake or apple empanadas.

We are very old school in that sense. We love making our pumpkin pie spice for our spice latte, our pumpkin purée, and our almond milk, or soy milk. These mini-steps are worth it, but the good news is that you can use store-bought versions for any of these three essential ingredients.

Jump to:

• 🧡 Why you will Love it
• 🧾 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• 💡 Expert Tips
• 🙌🏻 How to pair it
• ❓ FAQ
• 🫙 Storing
• 📚 More pumpkin recipes
• 🎥 Video
• 📋 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

🧡 Why you will Love it

• Pumpkin Perfection
• 100% Vegan
• Seasonal Splendor
• Optional caffeine kick
• Enjoy it hot or cold

🧾 Ingredients

• Pumpkin Puree: This is the star of the show, providing that authentic pumpkin flavor and a smooth texture. Plus, it's packed with Vitamin A and fiber, making your latte not just tasty but also nutritious.
• Dairy-Free Milk: We opt for almond or soy milk to keep it vegan and creamy. These options are rich in protein and calcium, and they blend seamlessly with the other ingredients.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: This magical blend of spices elevates the latte to a whole new level of autumnal bliss. It's a shortcut to flavor town, combining cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in one.
• Cinnamon: A sprinkle of this spice adds warmth and a metabolism-boosting kick, according to studies. It's the cozy hug your latte needs.
• Maple Syrup: This natural sweetener brings in a touch of Canadian wilderness and balances out the spices. Plus, it's a healthier alternative to processed sugars.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: A dash of this elevates the entire drink, adding a subtle complexity that harmonizes all the flavors. It's like the backup singer that makes the lead vocals shine.

Optional:

Coconut whipped cream

Ready to brew this liquid gold? Scroll down for the step-by-step guide! 🍁👇

Substitutions

• Dairy-Free Milk: coconut milk is a great alternative if you're out of almond or soy milk. It's creamy and adds a tropical twist, but keep in mind it has a distinct flavor.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: No pumpkin pie spice? No worries! You can make your own blend with ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves.
• Maple Syrup: Agave nectar or coconut sugar can be used as a sweetener if you're out of maple syrup. They're both natural and vegan-friendly options.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: If you don't have vanilla extract, you can use almond extract for a nutty aroma or even a splash of bourbon for an adult twist.

🔪 Instructions

You can have this pumpkin spice latte quickly completed in just over ten minutes. This perfect recipe provides everything needed to prepare at home.

First things first. Coffee or not?

If you plan to add coffee or espresso, prepare at this time either in your espresso machine, on the stovetop, or on the coffee maker, and set aside. You can skip this step for a simple caffeine-free spice latte.

We like making your own pumpkin pie spice since we use much of it for seasonal recipes, such as pumpkin pie, pancakes, overnight oats, etc.

Hint: A slight separation is natural with both the pumpkin and plant milk, so whisk as needed to smooth.

If you like a stronger pumpkin flavor, add ¼ cup extra pumpkin puree. The same goes for the pumpkin spice. This recipe is made to balance all the flavors, but you can choose to accentuate the one of your choice. Just remember to try with small quantities.

Coffee version

Add strong coffee or espresso directly to your cup or glass immediately after simmering. If you don't love strong coffee, you can play with American coffee.

Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more spices to taste, espresso coffee to get a more robust coffee flavor, or maple syrup for sweetness.

Iced Version

To make an iced pumpkin spice latte, skip the simmering, add all ingredients to the blender, add ice, and liquefy for 15 seconds. Alternatively, if you want to keep the ice cubes instead of making a Frappuccino, add the mix directly from the blender to a mason jar with a lid and shake vigorously to combine.

Then add ice, secure cover, and shake vigorously to combine — about 30 seconds.

Note that if you add coffee, you may want to add a second shot of espresso, as the ice will make it watery.

If using whipped cream, top the milk mixture with it and sprinkle pumpkin spice to make it look even more gorgeous.

Hint: For the same reason, as the ice adds water, you may want to add an extra scoop of pumpkin purée and ¼ teaspoon of extra pumpkin spice.

💡 Expert Tips

How can I make my Pumpkin Spice Latte taste better?

My favorite tips for substitutions and customizations.

Milk

Oat milk is the only non-dairy milk I avoid when making a hot pumpkin spice latte. In my experience, the oat milk gets sticky while simmering or boiling.

This is normal because oats have a natural property that makes their insoluble fiber slightly slim. That property does wonders in our bodies, making it a wonderful food.

However, using oat milk is not a problem if you are making a cold pumpkin spice latte.

This recipe calls for non-dairy milk instead of regular whole milk or skim milk because there is no saturated fat except coconut milk, and we like to keep things vegan.

You can also use a milk frother to make your homemade version more interesting.

Pumpkin Puree

See all my tips on making a pumpkin puree in our post on cooking pumpkin. There, I explain the different methods for making actual pumpkin purée, but it really doesn't take more than boiling, steaming, microwaving, or baking.

I recommend steaming it for this pumpkin spice latte recipe, as it doesn't absorb any extra water content and is super quick.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Another easy one. Yes, pumpkin spice is easy to get, but homemade is much more fun. To make a pumpkin spice, you just need to mix together in a mason jar four ground and easy-to-find ingredients: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. See our quick pumpkin spice recipe, for proportions.

As a cherry on top, I am sure you will want to make your own pumpkin pie after making you make pumpkin spice. Believe me, it is super easy!

Sweetener

On top of pumpkin pie spice, the sweetener can play a big role. I like using maple syrup or brown sugar because they have more complexity and make your spice latte extra cozy.

Another great sugar substitute is agave syrup because it has a low glycemic level and strong sweetening power.

Another great option for brown sugar is coconut palm sugar. Both brown sugar and coconut sugar will contribute to the final color of the pumpkin spice latte.

Vanilla Extract

For your pumpkin spice latte, go for pure vanilla extract. You can also choose to use a vanilla bean, extract some of the inner sides and drop it in the blender before mixing.

Whipped cream

I have to say that I am not a fan of adding whipped cream on top of any beverage. It just seems unnecessary fat to an already delicious beverage, but this is how you do it.

Use cooled cream coconut or full-fat coconut milk for a vegan whipped cream, plus powdered cane sugar. Stir with a mixer, and you've got it. I usually go by this recipe, and it works very well.

If you are not looking for a dairy-free option, you can always use regular store-bought whipped cream.

And that is it! You have everything you need to know to make a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, just like they make it in the coffee shops.

If you like Starbucks-inspired drinks, don't forget to try this copycat Starbucks dragon drink. It's perfect for the Spring and Summer seasons when mangoes and dragon fruit are available.

🙌🏻 How to pair it

Well, we really love going wild on the pumpkin, so we love having a slice of our vegan pumpkin pie for breakfast, or pumpkin spice porridge. Our pumpkin pie is healthy, with ingredients that make it a good breakfast recipe.

Other than that, sure, you can serve your pumpkin spice latte at home with anything you would have for breakfast, just as you would serve a chai tea or golden milk. We also like having our homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe with our vegan pancakes, waffles, porridge, or our breakfast fruit bowl.

❓ FAQ

🫙 Storing

If you make a large batch of this pumpkin spice milk, you can store it safely in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I love doing this because if I have any cravings throughout the day, I love simply drinking it cold.

You can also place your pumpkin spice latte in a microwave-safe bowl and reheat it in the microwave or simply quickly bring it to simmer on the stovetop.

📚 More pumpkin recipes

Well, who doesn't love pumpkins? It's versatile enough to be used in many more pumpkin recipes such as vegan pumpkin pie, curries, vegan pumpkin pancakes, diary-free pumpkin overnight oats, granola, sweets, or vegan pumpkin soup - not just drinks!

It is the perfect vegan fall recipe, to nurture your body during cold mornings when all you need is a cozy and tasty drink.

⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

🎥 Video

📋 Recipe