We are more than halfway through October – do you have your front porch pumpkins yet?! What better way to experience a chilly pumpkin patch than with a hot, homemade pumpkin spice chai latte in hand?

I have been amazed at the level of dedication to Halloween decorations around here. I like to take walks or runs through the nearby neighborhoods and into the neighborhoods with beautiful houses to see how they decorate for the season and it has been so fun to see the porches with beautifully cascading pumpkins and blooming mums next to the houses with full-on graveyards and skeletons and spiderwebs everywhere you look. These people aren’t messing around. Over the weekend the mornings were so perfectly crisp that I set out as the sun was rising, with a hot homemade pumpkin spice chai latte in hand to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and admire some new Halloween decor in a few new areas. Other than the dying leaves rustling in the breeze, it was quiet and peaceful. It was so pleasant and is definitely something I want to repeat.

It was so chilly that the warm drink was really helpful in warming me up from the inside, and the pumpkin spices just added to the perfect fall experience. I’m not a fan of the well-known Starbucks PSL. While I like the concept, and I love most pumpkin treats, I don’t like sweet drinks and find the PSL to be too sweet for my taste. I love trying versions of it at local coffee shops where the syrups are made in-house and the flavors aren’t so strong, but I also like the option of making the treat at home, saving some money, and having it whenever I want. This pumpkin spice chai latte is the perfect solution, and sweetened with honey to prevent that cloyingly sweet flavor I dislike in the Starbucks version.

You can make this into a pumpkin spice latte by using espresso instead of chai tea, but I love the spices that the chai adds, and making it with tea means I can justify it as a morning and afternoon treat ;)

This homemade pumpkin spice chai latte is naturally sweetened and filled with delicious, warm fall spices. Make one for your next leaf peeping ride, trip to the pumpkin patch, walk around the neighborhood, or just a cozy day at home.

I use a small handheld milk frother like this. It is very affordable, easy to use, and makes drinks like these more fun.

Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

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Ingredients

• ¾ cup boiling water
• 1 chai tea bag (my favorite is Tazo)
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 - 3 teaspoons honey, depending on your sweetness preference
• Optional, frothed milk or whipped cream to top

Instructions

Pour the boiling water In a mug and steep your tea bag for at least 4-5 minutes. Squeeze any water out of the tea bag before removing.

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and honey and whisk to fully combine. Allow it to warm on the stove until small bubbles begin to form around the edges, but don’t let it boil.

Pour the warmed milk mixture into a large cup (I use a measuring cup) and use a handheld milk frother to foam most of the mixture. I like to leave some liquid and have some frothed. Alternately, if you don’t have a handheld frother, you can use an electric frother, a milk steamer, an immersion blender, or a stand blender for this step.

Pour the milk into your mug of chai tea and scoop the frothed milk mixture on top. If you like, you can add additional frothed milk or whipped cream to top the drink. Garnish with a dusting of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice and enjoy!

Notes

I use a small handheld milk frother like this. It is very affordable, easy to use, and makes drinks like these more fun.