Pumpkin spice season is here—even if Tampa is still 85 degrees outside.
If you love the warm flavors of a pumpkin spice latte but don't necessarily want the coffee, this homemade pumpkin spice steamer is an easy fall drink you can make in just a few minutes.
It's creamy, lightly sweet and made with real pumpkin plus Ceylon cinnamon and warming fall spices.
And if you want to make things interesting?
Add the tiniest pinch of cayenne.
You can find the spices for this recipe in bulk at Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa, so you can refill your jars with exactly what you need.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Steamer
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk or your favorite plant-based milk
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Small pinch ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: the tiniest pinch of cayenne pepper
- Optional: whipped cream for serving
- Extra Ceylon cinnamon for the top
How to Make It
Add the milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves to a small saucepan.
Warm over medium-low heat while whisking.
Don't let it boil.
Once everything is hot and well combined, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
For a frothier drink, carefully whisk it vigorously or use a handheld milk frother.
Pour into two mugs.
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of Ceylon cinnamon if you'd like.
That's it.
Fall in a mug.
Want a Spicy Pumpkin Drink?
Here's where our 90,000 heat unit cayenne can make things interesting.
Add the tiniest pinch to the saucepan with your other spices.
Cayenne and cinnamon work surprisingly well together. The cayenne adds a little warmth behind the sweet pumpkin and maple flavors without turning your drink into hot sauce.
But remember—our cayenne is HOT.
Start with less than you think you need.
Can I Turn This Into a Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Absolutely.
Make the recipe as written and add:
- 1–2 shots of espresso, or
- About 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
You may want to reduce the milk slightly depending on how strong you like your latte.
Now you have a homemade pumpkin spice latte with real pumpkin and Ceylon cinnamon.
Can I Make It Iced?
Yes!
Make the pumpkin spice mixture first and let it cool.
Pour it over ice and add cold milk.
You can also add espresso or cold brew to turn it into an iced pumpkin spice coffee.
Because fall in Florida sometimes requires air conditioning and ice cubes.
Why Use Ceylon Cinnamon?
Ceylon cinnamon is sometimes called true cinnamon.
Compared with common cassia cinnamon, Ceylon has a softer, slightly sweeter and more delicate flavor.
That makes it especially good in drinks.
Instead of overpowering the pumpkin, vanilla and maple syrup, it blends into the other flavors and gives the drink that warm fall taste we're looking for.
Ceylon cinnamon also naturally contains much less coumarin than cassia cinnamon.
How to Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice Blend
You don't actually need to buy a separate jar labeled "pumpkin spice."
You can make your own.
Try combining:
- 4 tablespoons Ceylon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Mix everything together and store it in a clean spice jar.
Use it in pumpkin drinks, oatmeal, muffins, pancakes, French toast, baked apples and other fall recipes.
And here's one of our favorite parts about shopping for spices in bulk:
You can make exactly as much as you need.
What Else Can I Do With Pumpkin Spice?
Don't let your homemade blend sit forgotten in the cabinet until next October.
Sprinkle it into:
- Oatmeal
- Overnight oats
- Yogurt
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- French toast
- Smoothies
- Muffins
- Banana bread
- Baked apples
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Granola
You can even sprinkle a little over vanilla ice cream.
Pumpkin Spice Drink FAQ
Does pumpkin spice actually contain pumpkin?
Usually, no. "Pumpkin spice" refers to the blend of warm spices commonly used in pumpkin recipes. This drink uses both pumpkin spice ingredients and real pumpkin puree.
What spices are in pumpkin spice?
Pumpkin spice commonly contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Some blends also contain allspice.
Can I make pumpkin spice with Ceylon cinnamon?
Yes. Ceylon cinnamon's delicate, slightly sweet flavor works especially well in pumpkin spice blends and fall drinks.
Can I make a pumpkin spice drink without coffee?
Yes! That's exactly what this recipe is. A pumpkin spice steamer gives you the creamy pumpkin spice experience without adding coffee.
Can I make this pumpkin spice drink dairy-free?
Yes. Use your favorite plant-based milk such as oat, almond, soy or coconut milk.
Can I put cayenne in a pumpkin spice drink?
Yes. Cinnamon, pumpkin, maple and cayenne work surprisingly well together. Start with a very small amount of cayenne and add more only after tasting.
Where can I buy Ceylon cinnamon in Tampa?
You can find Ceylon cinnamon at Life Essentials Refillery, 4317 W El Prado Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629, in South Tampa.
Where can I buy pumpkin spice ingredients in Tampa?
Life Essentials Refillery carries a selection of bulk spices in South Tampa, including spices you can use to create your own pumpkin spice blend.
Where can I buy bulk spices in Tampa?
Visit Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa for bulk spices, herbs, teas and pantry foods. Buy a little for one recipe or bring your spice jars and refill what you already have.
Make Your Own Fall Favorite
You don't need a coffee shop to make something special for pumpkin spice season.
Grab some pumpkin, milk, maple syrup and a few good spices and you can have a cozy fall drink ready in minutes.
Stop by Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa to refill your Ceylon cinnamon and other fall spices—and maybe grab just a tiny bit of our 90,000 SHU cayenne if you're feeling adventurous.
Life Essentials Refillery
4317 W El Prado Blvd
Tampa, FL 33629
Buy what you need. Refill what you already have. Waste less.