McDonald’s is known for whipping up new food and drink options every time the season changes. Along with delicious drinks that McDonald’s comes up with for their holiday menu, the fast food chain is also pretty regular, introducing new drinks around Halloween. This is also when this delicious latte makes a grand entry on the McDonald’s menu!
McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte is one of the best seasonal and holiday drink introduced every year on Halloween. We have the shared the complete recipe to make it at home. Take advantage of this delicacy this fall season and give this recipe a try to savor the warm and comforting flavors.
To make this delicious drink you need creamy milk, rich pumpkin spice flavor, and a dollop of whipped cream. The perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors is sure to become your new favorite fall beverage.
If you love garnishing your latte, I have some ideas for you. Jazz up your latte with drizzling caramel sauce for nutty indulgence. Or you can also sprinkle some chopped nuts over your latte for the crunch. The ideas are endless. Try one of them!
Here is a hands-proof recipe for McDonald’s fans. Note down the steps, ingredients list, and equipment details. Before you check out the recipe, read all the facts and other information given below.
What's In The Post
Is This The Exact McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe?
Yes, this recipe for McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte is as close as it gets to the original recipe. However, one difference you may find between the two is that McDonald’s uses espresso made with freshly brewed coffee beans for the latte, whereas the recipe uses instant coffee instead.
However, the instant coffee does not make any difference to the overall flavor of the recipe, and it tastes just as wonderful. If you would like to use freshly brewed coffee for the espresso, you can do that too!
Why Are McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Lattes So Good?
Quite a few people say that McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte is excellent but not as great as the one you would get at a place that specializes in coffee. However, McDonald’s has done their best to bring out the best-flavored autumn drink at a reasonable price!
McDonald’s pumpkin spice lattes might not be the best ones out there, but they are pretty good, that’s for sure. The reason behind this is that McDonald’s has done their research on getting the perfect balance of flavors with this beverage.
One sip of this latte and you will automatically be teleported to autumn, regardless of the time of the year. The pumpkin puree is thick, creamy, and packed with sugar, which balances so well with the bitter coffee.
The espresso for this recipe is perfectly blended and has a crisp flavor that stands out after being mixed with the pumpkin puree base. Lastly, the spices amplify the whole experience, ending with the perfect foamy texture of the milk added on top!
In What Month Is Pumpkin Spice Latte Added To The McDonald’s Menu?
When McDonald’s first released the Pumpkin spice latte as a part of their menu, it used to be around for a little while. This was to see how people reacted to this new fall drink. But people loved these lattes’ taste and the price so much over the years that McDonald’s has released them pretty early for the past few years.
Although there could be minor variations to this date, in most cases, McDonald’s releases their Pumpkin spice lattes on August 31st. They usually serve these until Halloween, the end of October, when they often release new spooky menus. However, in most cases, the supplies only last briefly, and McDonald’s tends to run out of these lattes by early October!
Does McDonald’s Still Have Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Yes, McDonald’s still has their classic pumpkin spice latte. If you visit the official website of McDonald’s, you will surely come across pumpkin spice latte on their menu. However, it has yet to be purchased.
In most cases, McDonald’s releases their pumpkin spice latte for a short while, even though it is listed on the website all year round. So, we will have to wait until the end of summer or the beginning of fall until McDonald’s brings these delicious lattes back for sale!
What Kind Of Coffee Is Required For McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte?
McDonald’s, as big of a chain as it is, tries to stick to premium and the most authentic ingredients ever for their food and beverages. So, for the pumpkin spice latte, you get at McDonald’s, the chain uses an espresso made from Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee beans.
If you are a coffee fanatic who is always packed with the best produce coffee beans, you can make your own brewed espresso. But if you don’t, any instant solid coffee works just as well in its place!
Equipment Required For McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Saucepan – Take a small saucepan to heat milk and other ingredients.
- Whisk – Whisk is used to mix the ingredients as they heat up.
- Blender – You can use a blender to mix the ingredients if you’d like a smoother texture.
- Mug – This is where you will serve the latte. A cup of a mug, please!
What Does A McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Have In It?
- Milk – For this latte, you can use any milk, such as almond milk or soy milk. The milk provides a creamy texture and helps to balance out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Pumpkin Puree – Pumpkin puree gives the latte its distinctive pumpkin flavor.
- White Sugar – Add white sugar that sweetens the latte and helps balance the flavors. You can use sweeteners like brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – Add pumpkin spice for that extra zing! You know how it’s made. Just combine ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It gives the latte its warm, spicy flavor.
- Coffee – For the caffeine kick, add instant coffee. However, you can use any coffee you like, but a strong, dark roast works best.
- Whipped Cream – Whipped cream adds a light, creamy touch to the latte. One dollop of your cup gives it a complete look.
McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Ingredients Substitution
If you still need all the ingredients mentioned to make a homemade pumpkin spice latte or want to try something new, here are some substitution options you could try!
- Milk – This recipe’s best type of milk is whole milk or semi-skimmed milk to get that perfect creamy flavor. However, if you are lactose intolerant or don’t want those extra calories, you can use plant-based or skimmed milk as a substitute.
- Pumpkin Puree – This recipe uses a store-bought pumpkin puree, but you can also use freshly made homemade pumpkin puree.
- Sugar – Although the recipe uses white sugar, you can use jaggery powder for a healthier option or light brown sugar for that malted flavor.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – If pumpkin pie spice is not available, stick to some essential herbs for this recipe: cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Coffee – You can use freshly brewed coffee for this recipe for something other than instant coffee powder.
- Whipped Cream – Lastly, you can switch out whipped cream for plant-based cream if you are a vegan.
McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Minutes | 5 Minutes | 8 Minute |
McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe Steps
Step 1- Take a saucepan, add milk and simmer until it thickens.
Step 2- Then, add pumpkin puree to the saucepan and mix it well until the pumpkin is well incorporated.
Step 3- Moving forward, add white sugar powder as per your taste prefrence.
Step 4- Add a teaspoon of ground coffee to the saucepan and stir the latte nicely.
Step 5- Finally, add a teaspoon of pumpkin spice mix for enhanced flavors.
Step 6- Your pumpkin spice is ready.
Tips To Make McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Taste Better?
Here are some simple tips that you can follow if you would like to make your pumpkin spice latte taste even better than the original recipe!
- Use Light Brown Sugar – Nothing speaks fall like a malty flavored coffee drink; hence, using light brown sugar instead of white sugar in this recipe will help you achieve that!
- Use Flavored Coffee – If you want a burst of flavors other than pumpkin puree and coffee, try using a vanilla-flavored instant coffee, just for that extra grit.
- Use Fresh Pumpkin Puree – Fresh pumpkin puree tends to give this recipe a vibrant and natural flavor compared to a canned counterpart.
- Use Only Cinnamon – If you want the spices to be minimal in this drink, use only ground cinnamon instead of pumpkin pie spice.
- Add Milk Foam – To keep the recipe as light as possible while making it creamy, switch out the whipped cream in this recipe with milk foam instead.
How Will This McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Look And Taste?
McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte is a warm, creamy, and delicious fall treat. The latte itself is a beautiful amber color and is topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
As for the taste, it’s hard to beat a McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte. The pumpkin puree gives it a rich, velvety texture and the pumpkin pie spice adds a warm, comforting flavor.
While the coffee adds a nice strong kick to the latte, this McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte is sure to hit the spot.
McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Nutritional Values
As you can see from the nutritional values, a glass of pumpkin spice latte is not too high in calories but also not as low. Quite a lot of the calories in this recipe come from the sugar added to the latte. Hence, this latte is not the unhealthiest option but should still be consumed in moderation.
| Calories | 392 kcal |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Cholesterol | 42.7 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 54 g |
| Sugar | 52.5 g |
| Sodium | 185.8 mg |
| Protein | 13 g |
How To Properly Store This Pumpkin Spice Latte?
If you want a freshly made hot pumpkin spice latte, it is best to make it right before you consume it. But, if you wish the latte to be iced, proper storage in the refrigerator is essential. You can make the latte and keep it ready whenever you want.
Once the latte is ready, transfer it to an airtight bottle or a jug. Make sure the container is airtight to avoid spillage. This way, the latte can be stored easily in the refrigerator for up to two days, and you have to top some of it on ice before serving!
Other McDonald’s Drinks Recipes To Try
So, as we have reached the end of this fantastic recipe, I am thrilled to tell you that now you won’t have to wait until McDonald’s brings back their pumpkin spice latte! This recipe is as close to the original pumpkin spice latte as it gets, so you surely will notice the one from McDonald’s!
Similarly, we have covered many such McDonald’s drink recipes that you can try out, like the McDonald’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie, McDonald’s Shamrock Shake, McDonald’s Iced Coffee, and McDonald’s Mocha Frappe. We also have a post on delicious McDonald’s copycat recipes that you should check out!
Recipe Card
McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Blender
- Mug
Ingredients
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 tablespoons Pumpkin Puree
- 1 cup White Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- ½ cup Coffee
- ¼ cup Whipped Cream
Instructions
- Take a saucepan, add milk and simmer until it thickens.
- Then, add pumpkin puree to the saucepan and mix it well until the pumpkin is well incorporated.
- Moving forward, add white sugar powder as per your taste prefrence.
- Add a teaspoon of ground coffee to the saucepan and stir the latte nicely.
- Finally, add a teaspoon of pumpkin spice mix for enhanced flavors.
- Your pumpkin spice is ready.
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use almond milk or soy milk instead of regular milk?
You can use almond or soy milk instead of regular milk in this recipe. Make sure the texture and flavor may get changed.
What to use as a sweetener for a pumpkin spice latte?
Some sweetener options are brown sugar, honey, and even maple syrup. For nutty flavors, you can add palm sugar or coconut sugar too.
Can I make this recipe without coffee?
If you want to make a non-caffeinated version, you can make it without coffee. Discard hot coffee and increase the milk to one and a half cups. You can also add a little extra pumpkin pie spice to taste. But this won’t call it a latte. So, the choice is completely yours.
Can I make this recipe in a blender?
You can make this recipe in a blender if you want a smoother texture. To do so, combine the milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and coffee in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a mug and top with whipped cream.
Can you make this recipe in advance?
Yes! You can make this recipe in advance if you want to have it ready in the morning. Follow the recipe and store the finished latte in the refrigerator. Warm it up in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte is a beloved fall treat. With its rich, velvety texture and warm, comforting flavor, it’s no wonder that so many people look forward to its return each year.
While it can be tough to recreate the exact recipe at home, this homemade version comes close. So why wait? Give it a try today and see how delicious this classic fall favorite can be!
