I always loved Pumpkin Spice everything–waaaaaaay before pumpkin spice syrup and pumpkin spice lattes were trendy. My first memory of this obsession is of a friend’s mom’s pumpkin bread when I was nine. Honestly, I wouldn’t try it because I thought it might be the texture of pumpkin pie. But, as so often happens with the law of attraction, past my fear I found love.
As soon as Starbucks got on the pumpkin bandwagon with their Pumpkin Spice Latte, I was hooked. It got so bad that every year I’d look forward to September 1 simply because I couldn’t wait to go to Starbucks to get my first Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. Seriously, if I had been a student at Hogwarts, it would have been like, “Sorry, I know the Express is cool and we’re starting school and all; but if you’ll excuse me I have to miss the train because it’s Pumpkin Spice Latte day.”
When I got into law school, though, I was moving to one of the most expensive cities in the country, and as such, I swore I would learn to cook so I could save some money rather than eating out all the time. When September rolled around, I still got my PSL’s but I knew I was spending a fortune. I turned to my new recipe BFF (the internet) to see if I could get some help.
Honestly, I have no idea how I found Sugar Crafter. My guess is it was a Google search. This was well-before Pinterest days and I didn’t know food blogging was a thing. I simply searched for a DIY version of this favorite beverage one day, and out popped what has become one of my all time favorite fall traditions: Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup. I now make it every year around this time, and I even have friends who request bottles as Christmas gifts.
It’s gotten so bad that I refuse to drink anyone else’s PSL’s anymore. I used to love that September 1st visit to the coffee shop every year. (And occasionally I’ll go just for the blended PSL beverages because I don’t generally blend mine at home.) But nowadays, I’m so snooty about other people’s PSL’s that I’ll only drink my own. They’re just too good when they’re the right (natural) color and they have actual, real, spicy flavors, instead of chemically enhanced ones.
There has only been one caveat since I started making my own syrup: the dregs have always been dangerous. Ever since I found this recipe, I’ve been altering it to figure out a way to make them less of a problem. This year, I’ve at least managed fewer dregs. The key is to start simmering the water with the spices first, straining the spices, and only then, making the syrup with the sugar.
Take my word for it, you won’t be sorry, and you will make the best PSL of your life. Careful, though, you just may have to find a new autumn favorite at your local coffee shop. After you try your own Pumpkin Spice Latte, the ones you get elsewhere won’t be worth it (unless you carry around a small bottle of your syrup in your pocket). 🙂
So here’s to Fall, and here’s to the Best Pumpkin Spice everything!
- 1½ Cups Filtered Water
- 1½ Tablespoon Canned Pumpkin (be careful NOT to get Pumpkin Pie Mix)
- 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Cloves
- ¾ Cups Organic Granulated Sugar
- Put all Spices in a small pot with the Water.
- Simmer for 15-30 Minutes until fragrant.
- Double Strain the water mixture with either a strainer or cheesecloth.
- Put the fragrant Water back in the pot.
- Add Sugar.
- Simmer for 5-10 Minutes.
- Strain one more time if you feel you'd like to.
- Add preferred amount to your favorite Latte recipe.
Thanks for sharing! I, too, love pumpkin everything! I like to think I was eating all things pumpkin before it became so trendy, but I hadn’t made my own latte before. Can’t wait to try!
great blog post! The photo made my mouth water! I fond myself glancing at my watch and regretting the time– it is way too late in the afternoon for me to have a cuppa. 🙁
I’m Cassandra, I’m in the 30-day blog challenge with you. Hi! Per our assignment, I’m reading and commenting on blogs. Thank you for sharing yours! I admire your style, and wish I could rip off such a good post. I can tell in your style, and infer from your background in law school, that writing something like this is easy for you– you manage to combine style and quickness. I tend toward verbosity. The upside is I rarely get writers block, or face the empty page syndrome.
Getting back to feedback per our course, I enjoy your way with words. You come across on page as someone with machine-gun fast repartee, and an easy-going but highly intelligent style. You get a lot said in a short span– enviable.
I was a little bit confused by the opening couple lines, and I had to re-read them before I understood. When you said that upon first trying the PSL, you weren’t hooked. In the next line you say that a year later you were counting the days to Sept 1.
What confused me was after reading the first line, I made an inferential leap that you didn’t like the taste of the Starbucks PSL, and this blog post was going to be how you went out and developed a far superior PSL syrup so you could kiss Starbucks goodbye. The next part where you describe learning to cook to save money further led me to this idea. Unfortunately, I have yet to read the Harry Potter series, so that sentence didn’t have a lot of meaning for me in building context– though after I re-read your blog, it made sense.
Upon re-reading this, I came to understand that what you were saying is that it took awhile for your PSL addiction to grow, and that you love Starbucks. Since I don’t know you– this wasn’t obvious to me. Now I do, and I’m glad to have found your blog.
In parting let me reiterate– I like your style and look forward to your blog. Your one sentence — the caveat about dangerous dregs– LOVE THAT! Freaking great. It’s meme-able! Can’t wait to read you more! Thanks for sharing.
For the stuff on the bottom of the cup have you tried using a cheese cloth? It will most certainly make sure nothing gets passed. I love to see other blogs based on food or drink. My only comment is that even though I personally do not like Pumpkin (though I am an October baby) my sister loves it. She would love to be able to make her own pumpkin spice latte. This post will make my sister very happy. Hopefully you try using a cheese cloth. Put it around the strainer that you use. Nothing will get through. I am not sure based on where you live where you could buy it. It is not expensive though in my experience. Good luck to you and thanks for the post!
I have tried cheese cloth! I actually feel like a fine sieve works better. Though I hadn’t even considered putting it around the strainer! Thanks for the tip. 🙂
Enjoyed your post. I would love to find one that uses stevia instead of sugar so that it doesn’t affect your blood sugar. That’s my one complaint with Starbucks is all their syrups are loaded with sugar. 😀
Thanks Elizabeth! I haven’t tried Stevia… I’m a pretty big supporter of just sticking with sugar to stay with natural flavors–though I know Stevia is natural. I’m super allergic to calorie free sweeteners, so I haven’t tried it. If you happen to try it, please let me know how it goes!
Yum! Christmas gift idea!
Yes! It’s a great gift. Especially when you buy those cute little bottles in different colors on Amazon. 🙂
Your blog looks wonder and that drink. Yummmm..
Thanks Susie!
Not a huge fan of pumpkin spice, but this recipe makes me wanna try it again! If anything, my hubby will love it! Thank you!
Of course! You may end up liking it after making your own. The stuff they sell in the stores nowadays is just gross to me after I started making it myself. It just tastes too fake. Lol. Good luck!
I can almost taste it. Cheers