Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL)

This classic syrup comes from a short e-book I published a few years back of natural coffee syrups, for making lattes at home, The Natural Barista.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups water
• 1½ cups organic sugar
• 4 cinnamon sticks (about 4″ long each)
• 1 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ cup pumpkin purée

Directions:

Add the water, sugar and cinnamon sticks to a tall saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Add in remaining spices and pumpkin, stir in. Cook for 5 minutes more, stirring often, do not let boil.

Let cool for 30 minutes, then strain through a Jelly Strainer Bags. Transfer to a glass storage container, seal and refrigerate. A tall olive oil bottle with pour spout works great.

Note:

Don’t press hard on the jelly bag, or too much solids will pass through. I rest my bag in a fine mesh strainer, over a bowl. Discard the pulp and cinnamon sticks left in bag.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 Tbsp pumpkin spice syrup
• Milk, of choice
• 2 shots espresso
• Whip cream, if desired (real dairy or vegan alternative)
• Pumpkin spice blend, for topping

Directions:

For a grande latte, steam about 1½ cups milk to desired temperature. I go for about 150° to 160° personally.

Pour syrup into mug, add in about half the milk, while pouring shots:

Add in shots, down the center of mug, top with remaining milk. Decorate top as desired.

Notes:

When using non-dairy milks, use unsweetened and organic for best results. Almond often steams easiest, with little carry-over taste. I find that soy fries on the steaming wand, so have a wet towel ready when you take the wand out of the pitcher.  Rice tends to be watery, coconut is delicious, but has a very pronounced flavor when warm. As always, if you drink dairy, whole tastes best.

I realize of course that not every one has an espresso machine on hand. I was a barista in my 20’s for 9 years. This is the machine we run on: Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine. No, it isn’t cheap. It runs beautifully – and is pretty user-friendly (also easy for the non-barista to master).

So…the other thing is yes, you can warm milk in a saucepan and use double strength brewed coffee (or use Instant Espresso made up). Please, consider an espresso machine if you love lattes. Find a barista who is nice, and ask them to teach you the basics. I did this for many customers. Once you learn how…next thing you know, you’ll have a showcase machine and all the tools to go with it 😉 And a tip jar on your counter! Your machine will pay for itself quickly if you are a daily drinker!