Small Business Solutions

We still have a few weeks before the fall weather sets in, but the end of summer and back-to-school season also means one big part of autumn is about to take over public consciousness pumpkin spice.The most famous pumpkin spice dish is likely the pumpkin spice latte, originally made famous by Starbucks. Now, many other popular coffee companies from Dunkin’ to Peet’s to Tim Horton’s make the lattes too PSLs are everywhere.This tasty coffee is a great treat, but for your everyday morning coffee, it can become quite an expense. Thankfully, you can make your own version of a PSL right in your kitchen!Whether you’re a seasoned home barista or a beginner looking to try something new, making a pumpkin spice latte at home is easier than you might think. With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of time, you can whip up a latte that rivals the best coffeehouse version. In this guide, well walk you through everything you need to know, from the essential spices to the perfect brewing techniques, so you can enjoy this fall favorite any time you like. Do I need a full-sized espresso machine at home to make a pumpkin spice coffee drink?No! Absolutely not. To make a drink that is identical to the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, an espresso machine is certainly the best option, but there are several other ways to enjoy pumpkin spice deliciousness in the comfort of your own home. The basics of a latteBy definition, a latte is a beverage made from espresso (a shot of strong coffee) and hot, steamed milk. It’s milkier than a cappuccino, which is espresso and milk foam.At its core, a PSL is an espresso shot, pumpkin-flavored syrup, hot steamed milk and cinnamon on top of the beverage. Many coffeehouses also top the drink with whipped cream.At-home espresso essentialsIf you want to dive all the way in and invest in an espresso machine at home, there are great, more affordable options.Trusted brand De’Longhi offers an at-home espresso machine called the Stilosa that is equipped with a milk steaming wand and it’s available on Amazon for $99.99. It does not have a coffee grinder, but all you would need to make your at-home latte is a pre-ground espresso-roast coffee, whatever milk you prefer and your homemade pumpkin spice syrup. For a cheaper option to make at-home espresso, a Moka pot is an excellent alternative. The Moka pot is a stovetop espresso maker, commonly used in Italian homes. It has three parts: a bottom chamber for water, a middle chamber for coffee grounds, and a top chamber for brewed coffee. The pot works by heating water in the bottom chamber, which creates steam pressure that forces the water through the coffee grounds in the middle chamber and into the top chamber. This brewing method is called percolation. Moka pots range from $11 to about $50 from Target and Amazon.It’s easy to use! Fill up the bottom section with water, add ground coffee to the middle section, screw the top on, place your pot on the stove and then fire up the stove. Once you hear a bubbling sound, your pot has finished brewing, and viola, your at-home espresso has been made. To get your milk nice and frothy, invest in a simple milk frother use it to froth your milk first then heat it in the microwave to your desired temperature. Amazon has a milk frother available for $6.99 which means you can easily get all of the machinery you need to make an at-home latte for under $50. You would spend much more than $50 each month if you were to buy a latte every weekday on your way to work.If you wanted a plain, unflavored latte, all you would have to do from here is pour your Moka espresso into a mug and then top it with the steamed milk. But today, we’re talking about the glorious pumpkin spice latte.So, let’s get into making the pumpkin spice syrup at home.Pumpkin spice syrupWe all know that the PSL has pumpkin AND spice, but how much of each is required? Linda Feller from Sip + Sanity has a perfect recipe on her website. Feller says you will need:1 cup water cup brown sugar cup maple syrup, (agave syrup or honey could also work) cup pumpkin puree1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (this could be replaced by a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or cloves to suit your taste) teaspoon salt2 teaspoons vanilla extractOnce you have your ingredients secured, making the syrup requires two easy steps:You should combine every ingredient except the vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a bubble while stirring until the sugar dissolves. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the burner and stir in the vanilla.Be sure to let it cool completely, stir gently and then transfer it to an airtight jar.Add your favorite toppingsWhipped cream and cinnamon are the classics, but why not get creative and try caramel syrup or graham cracker crumbles to make your drink feel more like pumpkin pie? You could garnish your latte with cinnamon sticks or serve it over ice you can skip the milk-steaming step for an iced latte, making this process even easier!On a lazy cold day, you can add your pumpkin spice syrup to a regular old cup of coffee or the kids’ hot chocolate, adding some excitement to your daily routine. Get some fall-themed mugs to add to the seasonal ambiance too!The possibilities are endless and you have all of the fall season to enjoy your coffee creations!For more coverage of all things autumn, click here.