How to

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe (Easy)

Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

This Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is easy to make at home-no need to wait for fall. You need minimal equipment and it takes less than 5 minutes.

If you have an espresso machine, you can use it to make the coffee and steam the milk. If not, just make some strong coffee and froth with the French Press. That’s all I use in the short video tutorial below.

You can use any type of milk or milk alternative if you want to make this a vegan latte.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe (Easy):

Makes 1 cup

Total Time: Under 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice
  • a shot of espresso or 1/4 cup strong coffee
  • 3/4 cup milk or any milk alternative you prefer

1. Add 2 tbsp pumpkin puree, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, to a coffee cup.

2. Add 1/4 tsp Pumpkin Spice or make your own by blending cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves (see ratios below) .

3. Add 1/4 cup espresso or strong coffee. Use an espresso machine if you have one, or an Aeropress, or a French Press to make the coffee. Mix and set aside.

4. Heat and then pour hot milk, or any milk alternative into the French Press to froth (I am using organic soy milk in the video below).

5. Pour the foamed milk over the Pumpkin Spice mixture.

That’s it! Enjoy.

These are the spice and soy I use:

  • Simply Organic Pumpkin Spice
  • Silk Organic Soy Milk (Soy foams really well)

How to Make Pumpkin Spice

You can buy a Pumpkin Spice blend at many grocery stores or make it yourself by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves in the following ratios:

  • 3 tablespoons ground Cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground Ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cloves
  • 1 teaspoon Allspice (optional)

Some people think that Allspice is the same thing as Pumpkin Spice, however, it’s actually is made from the dried unripe berries of a tree called the Pimenta Dioica. While not essential, it will add a little dimension to your Pumpkin Spice blend, if you have it.

The mixture will make enough for several servings, so store it in an airtight container out of direct sunlight for next time.

Easy Turmeric Latte (How to)

Golden Milk

In this recipe, I make an easy Turmeric Latte, also known as Golden Milk or Haldi Milk.  A Turmeric Latte is an anti-inflammatory hot drink, great any time of day. While Turmeric has many health benefits, this beverage typically has no coffee in it, and yet it is gaining popularity at coffee shops and health food cafes around the world as a healthy caffeine-free alternative. If you need your caffeine though, you can also add a shot of espresso-it’s delicious both ways!

If your local cafe isn’t offering this yet, a Turmeric Latte is easy to make at home. You most likely have these spices in your cupboard already! To save time, you can pre-mix the spices so that you have them on hand.

* This recipe has a pinch of pepper in it which boosts the health benefits and absorption of Turmeric so don’t leave it out!

Watch this short video to see how easy it is to make a healthy Turmeric Latte at home:

Turmeric Latte using Fresh Spices

If you want to use fresh spices here are the ingredients:

    • 1 heaped teaspoon peeled and finely chopped fresh turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon peeled and roughly chopped ginger
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1-1.5 tablespoon maple syrup / coconut sugar / honey
    • 1/2- 1 teaspoons coconut oil
    • pinch sea salt
    • pinch of pepper
    • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 cup almond milk/coconut milk

Heat on the stove, then put in a blender to mix (optional), then serve.

Homemade Latte using Just a French Press (How to)

How to make a latte at home without a machine

You can make a homemade latte without an espresso machine. All you need is a French Press, hot milk and hot water.

One of the small cons of a French Press is the mess-some find cleaning out the grounds in the bottom annoying.

how to make a latte at home without a machine
Homemade latte using just a French Press – the result

Also, there are quicker methods for making coffee. It takes 3-4 minutes for coffee to steep in a French Press and about 1 minute in an Aeropress Coffee Maker.

Regardless, you can’t go wrong owning a French Press. Many coffee lovers have one at home-it’s the most versatile of coffee makers. It’s simple to use and it makes great tasting coffee.

In addition to coffee, it has many other uses, one of which is to froth milk. Many people either don’t know this or forget. You can foam milk and almost all dairy-free alternatives in a French Press, often more easily than on a traditional espresso machine or an electric milk frother!

Here is a simple recipe to make a latte at home using a French Press and check out the quick 1-minute video tutorial below:

Homemade Latte using a French Press

Heat the Milk to a maximum of 165 F

1. Heat 1 cup Milk on the stove (or with a microwave). You can use any milk you prefer. I’m using Soy in the video. The ideal temperature for a Latte is 155-165 F.

 

 

Make coffee in the French Press while the milk heats
While the milk heats prepare the coffee

2. While the milk heats, add 1/4 cup fresh ground coffee to the French Press (regular grind is fine).

 

 

 

 

Brew coffee in a French Press
Add hot water to brew the coffee in the French Press

3. Add about 150-180 ml hot water (just under boiling). Use less water if you like stronger coffee.

 

 

 

 

Steep coffee in a French Press
Let coffee steep in the French Press 3-4 minutes

4. Let coffee steep for 3-4 minutes.

5. Press down on the French Press. Pour the coffee into a cup and set aside.

 

 

6. Clean out the French Press and pour in your hot milk.

7. Plunge up and down for about 30 seconds, until the milk texture changes. It will feel slightly thicker and foam.

 

8. Pour the frothy milk over your coffee. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Aeropress Coffee Maker – The Inverted Method (How to)

Aeropress Inverted Method

My favourite way to use the Aeropress coffee maker is by using the Inverted Method. The video below is a quick “how to” on the subject.

The Inverted Method is less messy-I like to press the coffee through, rather than let it drip, as it does when you follow the instructions on the box.

Despite what some say, the Aeropress coffee maker does not make true espresso. However, it does make great coffee for such a simple and portable device. I take this with me on my travels.

The Aeropress has a huge fan base and many users love to experiment and innovate with unique recipes-a popular one being the Inverted Brewing Method, which is used in the video I link below.

There is even a World Aeropress Championship, where Aeropress users compete to showcase their own recipes.

https://www.worldaeropresschampionship.com/

Many of us don’t have time in the morning to fuss with scales and thermometers, so don’t worry about being precise.  The device is pretty forgiving – the most important thing is to use fresh coffee and if you’re me, not to spill it.