Pumpkin spice syrup is a simple way to bring autumn warmth to your favorite drinks any time of year. This easy recipe uses just five ingredients and comes together in about 10 minutes.
For many, fall equals pumpkin spice. With this homemade pumpkin spice syrup, you can add cozy autumn flavor to lattes, brewed coffee, tea, or warm milk anytime. Making the syrup yourself lets you control sweetness and spice intensity so each cup suits your taste.
This syrup is inspired by popular pumpkin-spice beverages but is quick and easy to make at home. It uses just five basic ingredients (plus water) and takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Pumpkin purée: Use plain pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling, which already contains sugar and spices.
- Pumpkin spice: Often labeled pumpkin pie spice. Store-bought blends work well, or you can use your own mix for a personalized flavor.
Step-by-step photos
1. Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
For measuring thick ingredients like pumpkin purée, an adjustable measuring cup makes it easy to remove air pockets and scrape out excess cleanly.
2. Whisk the mixture over medium-high heat until it comes to a simmer. Keep whisking and simmer for 2–3 more minutes, until the syrup thickens slightly. Reduce heat if needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
3. Remove from heat and strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve. Straining is optional but recommended to remove larger pumpkin fibers and spice bits for a smoother texture.
4. If straining is slow, press the solids gently with a whisk to help the liquid pass through.
5. Use the syrup immediately or let it cool, then cover and refrigerate. To make a drink, add syrup to the bottom of a mug, pour in espresso, steamed milk, brewed coffee, or hot tea, and stir.
Tips and tricks
- This recipe delivers a bold pumpkin-spice flavor. For a milder taste, reduce the pumpkin spice from 1 tablespoon to 2 teaspoons.
- For added depth, stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste after cooking.
- If chilled, give the syrup a quick stir before using to redistribute any settled spices.
Recipe FAQs
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. Covering prevents a skin from forming and helps preserve flavor.
Yes. Freeze in an airtight container and leave some headspace for expansion. Thaw overnight in the fridge or defrost faster in the microwave at 50% power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thawed.
Use it to make pumpkin spice lattes, flavor brewed coffee or hot tea, or add to warm milk for a cozy bedtime drink. To make a latte: add about 3 tablespoons syrup to a mug, pour 1–2 shots of espresso, then top with 8–12 ounces (237–355 ml) steamed milk and garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice. The syrup also makes a tasty drizzle for biscuits or muffins.
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📖 Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Syrup
This pumpkin spice syrup is quick to make with a few pantry ingredients. Use it to flavor coffee, lattes, tea, or any warm beverage.
- Author: Kate
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: drinks
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- one 14 ounce (397 g) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
- 1 cup (237 ml) water
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (113 g) pumpkin purée
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin spice, water, sugar, pumpkin purée, and salt.
- Bring to a simmer, whisking frequently. Continue to simmer for 2–3 minutes, whisking often, until the syrup thickens slightly. Reduce the heat if needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Remove from heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Use immediately or store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
“Pumpkin spice” may be labeled “pumpkin pie spice”; either works. The recipe yields about 3 cups of syrup.
To make a pumpkin spice latte: add 3 tablespoons of syrup to a mug, pour in 1–2 shots of hot espresso, then top with 8–12 ounces (237–355 ml) steamed milk. Garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.
If refrigerated, stir the syrup before using to redistribute any spices that have settled.
Nutrition information is an estimate and should not replace professional advice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tablespoons
- Calories: 129
- Sugar: 26.3 g
- Sodium: 44 mg
- Fat: 2.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 26.6 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg