Pumpkin Spice Latte: What's in It and How to Make One

A pumpkin spice latte is an espresso-based coffee with steamed milk and a warm spice flavour. Despite the name, the drink does not always contain pumpkin. Many versions use a spiced syrup made from cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and star anise. Some premium cafes use fresh pumpkin purée instead, and a few use other artisan ingredients. If you want one at home, you can make a good version with ordinary coffee, milk and a spice mix.

What is in a pumpkin spice latte?

The drink is built from three parts:

Coffee. Espresso or strong brewed coffee gives the base.
Milk. Steamed or warmed milk gives body. Plant milks such as oat, almond and soya are increasingly used in autumn drinks, according to a trade report from August 2026.
Spice flavour. This is the part that defines the drink. It can come from a syrup, a spice mix stirred into the coffee, or fresh pumpkin purée.

The spices most often used are cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, star anise, cloves and nutmeg. Coffees with chocolate, cocoa, dried fruit or caramel notes pair well with these flavours, so some roasters now design blends for the season.

Does it actually contain pumpkin?

Not always. The trade report that covers the trend says the drink is flavoured with autumn spices, and that many cafes make their own version. Premium drinks are shifting away from artificial flavourings and toward fresh pumpkin purée. The safest way to know what you are drinking is to ask the cafe or check their ingredient list.

Why is it so popular this autumn?

Coffee trade coverage from August 2026 describes the pumpkin spice latte as the season’s leading drink. It also points to the way autumn drinks look and feel: creamier frothed milk, a sprinkle of cinnamon, flavoured cream and seasonal decorations. Social media plays a big part, with Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest named as key drivers of autumn trends.

The report does not give sales figures or market size, so treat the popularity claim as a trend observation rather than a measured number.

How to make a simple version at home

You do not need special kit. Start with the spices and adjust to taste.

Make the spice mix. Combine ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and a little cardamom or clove. Warm spices like these are the core of the flavour.
Sweeten it. Stir the mix into a little sugar, syrup or honey while it is warm, so the spices dissolve evenly. Trade coverage notes that autumn recipes increasingly use natural sweeteners.
Brew your coffee. Use espresso or a strong filter coffee. A coffee with chocolate or caramel notes suits the spices best.
Warm the milk. Heat milk until it is hot but not boiling, then froth it if you have a frother.
Combine and top. Stir a spoonful or two of the spiced syrup into the coffee, pour in the milk, and finish with a pinch of cinnamon.
Taste and adjust. Add more spice or sweetener a little at a time. It is easier to add than to take away.

Tips for the best result

Use fresh spices if you can, as older ground spices lose flavour.
Make a batch of the syrup and keep it in a sealed jar in a cool cupboard.
Keep the spice gentle at first. Star anise and cloves are strong.

Key points

A pumpkin spice latte is coffee, milk and a warm spice flavour.
Many versions use spiced syrup rather than pumpkin.
Premium cafes are moving toward fresh pumpkin purée.
The spices most often used include cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and star anise.
You can make a simple version at home with a spice mix, sweetener, coffee and milk.

Frequently asked questions

Is there real pumpkin in a pumpkin spice latte? It depends on the cafe. Many use a spiced syrup, while some premium versions use fresh pumpkin purée. Ask the cafe or check their ingredients.

What spices go into a pumpkin spice latte? Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, star anise, cloves and nutmeg are the spices most often named in autumn drink coverage. Most versions use a combination rather than one spice.

Can I make a pumpkin spice latte without a coffee machine? Yes. A strong filter coffee or a cafetiere works well, and warm milk can be heated in a pan or microwave. Froth is nice but not essential.

Is there a dairy-free version? Yes. Oat, almond and soya drinks are common choices in autumn drinks, according to the same trade report.

Which coffees go best with these spices? Trade coverage says coffees with chocolate, cocoa, dried fruit and caramel notes pair well with autumn spices.

Where can I try one locally? Cafes change their seasonal menus, so the best approach is to check the board or ask the staff.

Visiting Shaldon?

If you would like to taste a well-made coffee in person, The Coffee Rush on The Green in Shaldon serves freshly ground coffee alongside homemade cakes. Ask the team what is on the menu this season.

Sources

comunicaffe.com