Homemade Pumpkin Chai Latte with Real Pumpkin & Ceylon Cinnamon

Homemade Pumpkin Chai Latte with Real Pumpkin & Ceylon Cinnamon

Pumpkin spice meets chai, and we may have found our favorite fall drink.

This homemade pumpkin chai latte combines real pumpkin, black tea, Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves and a touch of maple syrup.

It's creamy, spicy, lightly sweet and tastes like fall—even when it's still flip-flop weather in Tampa.

Even better? You don't need a bottle of pumpkin spice syrup or a pre-made mix.

You can make it at home with real ingredients and spices you may already have in your pantry.

And if you need to refill them, you can find bulk tea and spices at Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa.

Easy Pumpkin Chai Latte Recipe

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons loose-leaf black tea
  • 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick
  • 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 3–4 thin slices fresh ginger
  • 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup milk or plant-based milk
  • 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Small pinch of nutmeg
  • Optional: tiny pinch of cayenne for extra warmth

How to Make Pumpkin Chai

Add the water, Ceylon cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and ginger to a small saucepan.

Bring to a gentle simmer and let the spices simmer for about 5 minutes.

Add the loose-leaf black tea and allow it to steep for another 3–5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your chai.

Strain the tea and return the liquid to the saucepan.

Whisk in the pumpkin puree, milk, maple syrup, vanilla and nutmeg.

Warm gently until everything is hot and creamy.

Don't let it boil.

Pour into two mugs and sprinkle a little Ceylon cinnamon or nutmeg over the top.

That's it.

Homemade pumpkin chai.

What Does Pumpkin Chai Taste Like?

Think of traditional chai with an extra layer of fall flavor.

The black tea gives it depth.

Ceylon cinnamon adds gentle sweetness.

Cardamom brings its distinctive floral, citrusy flavor.

Ginger adds warmth.

Cloves add a deeper spice.

And real pumpkin makes the drink creamy and rich.

It's less like drinking pumpkin pie and more like giving traditional chai a cozy fall twist.

Can I Make Pumpkin Chai With Ground Spices?

Absolutely.

If you don't have whole spices, try:

  • 1/2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • Tiny pinch ground cloves
  • Tiny pinch nutmeg

Steep your black tea separately, then whisk the ground spices into the pumpkin and milk mixture.

Ground spices won't completely dissolve, so you may have a little spice at the bottom of your mug.

That's okay!

Can I Make Pumpkin Chai Without Coffee?

Yes—and traditionally, chai doesn't require coffee at all.

Chai is tea.

This recipe gets its flavor from black tea, spices, pumpkin and milk, so there's no espresso or coffee needed.

Want a Dirty Pumpkin Chai?

Now we're talking.

A dirty chai is chai with espresso added.

Make the pumpkin chai as written and add a shot of espresso to each mug.

You'll get the warming spices and pumpkin flavor of the chai with an extra coffee kick.

Can I Make an Iced Pumpkin Chai?

Absolutely, especially here in Florida.

Make the spiced tea portion a little stronger than usual and allow it to cool.

Whisk together your pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla and milk.

Fill a glass with ice, pour in the chai and add the pumpkin milk.

Give it a good stir.

Now you have an iced pumpkin chai latte.

What Tea Is Best for Pumpkin Chai?

A strong black tea works beautifully because it can stand up to the spices, pumpkin and milk.

Assam is a classic choice for chai because of its rich, malty flavor.

You can also experiment with other black teas and create your own version.

That's part of the fun of making chai at home.

Why Make Chai From Individual Spices?

You certainly can buy a chai blend.

But making chai from individual spices lets you control the flavor.

Love cardamom?

Add more.

Prefer extra ginger?

Go for it.

Don't love cloves?

Use less.

Want your chai sweeter, spicier or stronger?

You decide.

And when you shop for spices in bulk, you don't have to buy an entire new jar of every ingredient just to experiment with one recipe.

Make Your Own Pumpkin Chai Spice Blend

Want an easy blend you can keep in your spice cabinet?

Mix together:

  • 4 tablespoons Ceylon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Store the mixture in a clean spice jar.

Then use it in pumpkin chai, oatmeal, pancakes, baked apples, muffins, smoothies and other fall recipes.

Pumpkin Chai FAQ

What is pumpkin chai?

Pumpkin chai combines chai tea and traditional warming chai spices with pumpkin. It can be served with milk as a hot or iced pumpkin chai latte.

Does pumpkin chai have coffee?

Not necessarily. Traditional chai is made with tea rather than coffee. Espresso can be added to make a dirty pumpkin chai.

Does pumpkin chai have caffeine?

If you make pumpkin chai with black tea, it will contain caffeine. The amount depends on the tea and how it is brewed.

What spices are in pumpkin chai?

Pumpkin chai commonly includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Recipes vary, so you can adjust the spices to your taste.

Can I use Ceylon cinnamon in chai?

Yes! Ceylon cinnamon has a softer, more delicate flavor than cassia cinnamon and works beautifully with cardamom, ginger and cloves.

Can pumpkin chai be made dairy-free?

Yes. Use your favorite plant-based milk. Oat milk is especially creamy in chai, but almond, soy and coconut milk can also work.

Can I make pumpkin chai with real pumpkin?

Yes. This recipe uses pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin-flavored syrup.

Just make sure you're buying plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.

Where can I buy chai spices in Tampa?

You can find a selection of bulk spices, herbs and teas at Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa.

Where can I buy Ceylon cinnamon in Tampa?

Ceylon cinnamon is available at Life Essentials Refillery, 4317 W El Prado Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629.

Where can I buy loose-leaf tea and bulk spices in South Tampa?

Visit Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa for loose-leaf teas, bulk spices, herbs and pantry staples. Buy the amount you need or bring your containers from home and refill them.

Make Your Own Fall Chai

One of the best things about homemade chai is that there's no single "right" recipe.

Start with tea.

Add Ceylon cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves.

Then make it yours.

More ginger. Less clove. Extra cinnamon. A spoonful of pumpkin. A splash of oat milk.

That's the beauty of having a spice cabinet you actually use.

Come explore the bulk tea and spice selection at Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa and build your own perfect cup of pumpkin chai.

Life Essentials Refillery
4317 W El Prado Blvd
Tampa, FL 33629

Buy what you need. Refill what you already have. Waste less.