Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)

Milk: The base of the latte, providing creaminess and richness.

Pumpkin puree: Adds a distinct pumpkin flavor and thickness to the drink.

Sugar: Sweetens the latte to balance the spices and pumpkin.

Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of vanilla.

Pumpkin pie spice: A blend of spices that gives the latte its signature fall taste.

Chai tea bags: Infuses the drink with a warm, spiced tea flavor.

When heating the milk and pumpkin puree mixture, use a whisk to continuously stir. This helps to prevent the milk from scalding and ensures the pumpkin puree is evenly distributed, creating a smoother texture for your latte.

• 2 cups any kind milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk provides a creamy texture and is a great dairy-free alternative.

• 2 cups any kind milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk has a neutral flavor and froths well, making it ideal for lattes.

• 2 tablespoon pumpkin puree - Substitute with sweet potato puree: Sweet potato puree has a similar texture and sweetness, providing a comparable flavor profile.

• 2 tablespoon pumpkin puree - Substitute with butternut squash puree: Butternut squash puree offers a similar consistency and a slightly nutty flavor that complements chai spices.

• 2 tablespoon sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and a slight floral note that pairs well with chai.

• 2 tablespoon sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a rich, caramel-like sweetness that enhances the fall flavors.

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Substitute with vanilla bean paste: Vanilla bean paste offers a more intense vanilla flavor and adds visual appeal with vanilla specks.

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract gives a nutty undertone that complements the spices in chai.

• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice - Substitute with individual spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves): Using individual spices allows for customization of the spice blend to suit personal taste.

• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice - Substitute with chai spice blend: A chai spice blend already contains many of the spices in pumpkin pie spice, making it a convenient alternative.

• 2 bags chai tea - Substitute with loose leaf chai tea: Loose leaf chai tea often has a fresher, more robust flavor compared to tea bags.

• 2 bags chai tea - Substitute with chai tea concentrate: Chai tea concentrate is pre-brewed and spiced, offering a quick and easy option for making lattes.

• Allow the pumpkin chai tea latte to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which can dilute the flavors.

• Transfer the cooled latte into an airtight container. Glass jars or BPA-free plastic containers work well for this purpose. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.

• Store the container in the refrigerator. The latte will keep for up to 3-4 days. Before serving, give it a good shake or stir to recombine any settled ingredients.

• For freezing, pour the cooled latte into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays. If using ice cube trays, once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag for easier storage.

• Label the containers or bags with the date to keep track of freshness. The pumpkin chai tea latte can be frozen for up to 2 months.

• When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen latte in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Avoid boiling to preserve the creamy texture.

• For a quick fix, microwave the thawed latte in a microwave-safe mug. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches your desired temperature.

• If you prefer a frothy texture, use a handheld frother or blender to blend the reheated latte before serving. This will recreate the creamy, frothy consistency of a freshly made pumpkin chai tea latte.

• Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice just before serving to enhance the flavor and presentation.

• Stovetop Method: Pour the pumpkin chai tea latte into a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Avoid bringing it to a boil to prevent curdling the milk.

• Microwave Method: Transfer the latte to a microwave-safe mug. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until the desired temperature is reached. This prevents overheating and ensures even warmth.

• Double Boiler Method: Place the latte in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir occasionally until heated through. This gentle method helps maintain the creamy texture.

• Frother Method: If you have a milk frother with a heating function, pour the latte into the frother and heat according to the manufacturer's instructions. This method can also re-froth the milk for a delightful texture.

• Slow Cooker Method: For larger batches, pour the latte into a slow cooker. Set to low heat and stir occasionally until warmed. This is perfect for keeping the latte warm over a longer period, ideal for gatherings.

• Saucepan: Used to heat and combine the milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar mixture over medium heat.

• Whisk: Essential for blending the vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice into the hot milk mixture smoothly.

• Teapot: Useful for brewing the chai tea bags in boiling water.

• Measuring cups: Needed to measure out the milk and pumpkin puree accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice precisely.

• Mugs: For serving the final Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte.

• Stovetop: Required to heat the saucepan and brew the tea.

• Ladle: Handy for pouring the pumpkin milk mixture into the mugs without spilling.

• Whipped cream dispenser: Optional, for topping the latte with whipped cream.

• Spoon: Useful for stirring the mixture and sprinkling pumpkin pie spice on top.

Use a microwave: Heat the milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar in the microwave for quicker results.

Pre-mix spices: Combine pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract ahead of time to save a step.

Brew tea in advance: Prepare the chai tea earlier and store it in the fridge to save time when assembling.

Use a frother: Employ a milk frother to quickly blend the pumpkin milk mixture for a smoother texture.

Ready-made pumpkin puree: Opt for store-bought pumpkin puree to skip the cooking step.