Flavoured Hot Coffee
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Quick answer
Cooked pumpkin purée adds body as well as flavor. Warm it with the milk, brown sugar, and spice, then blend carefully until no visible lumps remain. An immersion blender can splatter hot liquid, so keep the blade submerged and use a pan with enough headroom. Let the mixture settle before pouring.
Key takeaways
- Cooked pumpkin purée adds body as well as flavor.
- Pumpkin spice mixes differ in their blend and strength.
- Prepare the espresso separately, then pour the blended milk over it.
Ingredients
- 60 ml espresso
- 180 ml whole milk
- 20 g cooked pumpkin purée
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice mix.
Method
- Heat milk, pumpkin, sugar and spices in a pan.
- Blend carefully with an immersion blender until smooth and lightly foamy.
- Pour over espresso.
Check the spice before serving
Pumpkin spice mixes differ in their blend and strength. Taste the warm milk mixture before combining it with espresso. If the spice is strong, the coffee may become less noticeable; if it is mild, the latte may taste more like sweetened pumpkin milk.
Keep the espresso in the recipe
Prepare the espresso separately, then pour the blended milk over it. Stir gently and serve while warm. The purée may settle if the drink stands, so give the cup another stir before the last sips. For a simpler spiced drink without pumpkin, try brown sugar ginger latte.
Blend the purée without splashing
Cooked pumpkin purée can be thicker than milk, so an immersion blender helps distribute it through the mixture. Keep the blender head below the surface and use a deep pan to reduce splashes. Switch it off before lifting it from the liquid, and follow the appliance’s safety instructions.
Why the latte may settle
Pumpkin solids can sink while the cup stands. Stir before drinking and serve soon after preparation. If the mixture feels too thick, do not change the listed amount in this version; note the texture and adjust the next attempt while keeping the espresso dose constant.
The spice mix varies by brand, so taste the warm milk mixture before pouring. A mild blend lets the pumpkin show through; a stronger blend can make the drink more aromatic.