For the past few weeks, I've read countless Facebook & Twitter mentions of peoples excitement over the autumn season arrival of "pumpkin spice lattes" at Starbuck's, etc. A normal reaction. But what I found strange was that it seems that there was a common belief that that a pumpkin spice latte is like a Haley's-type comet every few months or something else that is out of grasp the rest of the year.
I too am part of the group that fully enjoy the wonder that is a pumpkin spice latte. And it's the same feeling I have for things like pumpkin pie, my homemade pumpkin ice cream and just about anything pumpkin.
But for a cup of coffee, one doesn't have to wait for the Fall season to enjoy the tasty beverage.
You'd be surprised if you knew how simple the recipes were for the large coffee locations people are used to going to to get a pumpkin spice latte, such as Starbuck's, Pete's, etc.
So here's the skinny: You can do it yourself any time of the year...with relative or total ease.
Here are a few quick recipes:
The Anytime & Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte:
All you'll need is to buy some Pumpkin Pie Spice. That's it.
Make your normal cup of coffee with milk or cream, and when you stir in the sugar, include a few dashes of pumpkin pie spice. You'll be amazed how similar it will taste to the more expensive store bought version. This is because Pumpkin Pie Spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger) is the basis for most of the restaurants offering the drink. You can also "spice" things up a bit by including a few dashes in the espresso or coffee grinds prior to making the actual espresso or coffee.
Pumpkin Spice Latte with Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup:
There's a great product by Torani that offers the tasty mixture that provides the flavor you seek in liquid syrup form. Just make your coffee as usual, and add a teaspoon of the syrup and add sugar to taste.
Cooked Pumpkin Spice Latte with Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup:
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup
1-2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 cups milk
1-2 shots espresso or strong coffee
Directions:
Combine milk, syrup and sugar and cook on medium heat and stir until steaming.
Remove from heat
Add and stir in vanilla and spice
Add the espresso
Cooked Pumpkin Spice Latte with Canned Pumpkin:
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of canned pumpkin
1-2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 cups milk
1-2 shots espresso or strong coffee
Directions:
Combine milk, syrup and sugar and cook on medium heat and stir until steaming.
Remove from heat
Add and stir in vanilla and spice
Put mixture in a blender/shaker/or whisk
Add the espresso
So there you go. Real easy options. For me, I don't ever make a latte without including a dash of pumpkin pie spice in with the dry espresso, and then 2 dashes added to the latte at the end.
6:55 PM
Matt Peloquin
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