Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Copycat Recipe
Get ready to savor the tastes of fall with my delicious pumpkin spice Starbucks copycat chai latte recipe! This cozy homemade drink is made with real, high-quality ingredients like oat milk, pumpkin puree, and a blend of warm spices. Whether you're a fan of traditional chai tea or love the seasonal twist of pumpkin spice, this recipe is a must-try.
In the mood for more tastes of fall? Try my Pumpkin Cold Foam recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Copycat Recipe
Why I Like My Version Better
Quality over quantity: I use real, high-grade ingredients like plant milk (oat, almond, soy – your pick!), pure pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and a dash of vanilla. It’s the quality that makes the flavor stand out.
Dairy-free: Unlike many store versions that use powdered milk or cream, my recipe is 100% dairy-free. It’s perfect for vegans, lactose intolerants, or anyone wanting to skip dairy.
Flavorful & light: This drink is a delicate balance – light on the palate but packed full of aromatic spices thanks to the chai tea bags. It’s a flavor bomb without being overwhelming.
Pure pumpkin: I opt for canned pure pumpkin puree. There are no added sugars or preservatives—just pure, fibrous, and nutrient-rich pumpkin.
Spices, not syrups: Pumpkin pie spice instead of sugar-laden pumpkin pie syrup is my secret! We’re talking real spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, which means all the flavor without the sugar crash.
Doesn't break the bank: With the ingredients for this recipe, you can whip up about 10 lattes for the same price as 1-2 drinks from your local coffee shop.
No sugar rushes: Since my recipe avoids sugary syrups, you won’t have to deal with that dreaded sugar spike and crash.
My Ingredients in This Recipe
Oat milk: I love using oat milk because it’s the creamiest plant-based milk in my opinion. However, you can swap this oat milk for any nut-based milk or regular milk on hand! Try swapping for almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, regular milk or lactose-free milk. It will be just as tasty.
Water: I don’t love my chai lattes to be super thick. That's why I use a blend of water and milk. However, if you prefer yours to be really thick, try using all milk and no water.
Tea bags: Chai tea bags can be found anywhere! Just use 2. If you like your chai to be stronger flavored, use 3 tea bags.
Pumpkin puree: You want to go for canned pumpkin puree, not canned pumpkin pie filling. They are very different. The latter has tons of sugar and dairy. We use real pumpkin to keep this drink light, healthy and clean, so we want to make sure we go for the puree. It is available at more stores year-round.
Vanilla: Use a good quality one. It will give you better flavor!
Brown sugar: We add a little bit of high-quality sweetener for the added sugar! I like to adjust depending on my taste preferences! If I want more sugar, I may add more! If I want less, I may add no sugar that day. You can always substitute for coconut sugar, regular cane sugar, or even maple syrup or agave.
Pumpkin pie spice: I use pumpkin pie spice from the store, but you could make it at home by mixing: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
Optional: Feel like drinking it dirty? Add an espresso shot for an extra kick
Ingredients in the Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Starbucks Version
Milk
Water
Chai tea concentrate [An infusion of (water, black tea, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, natural flavors, star anise)sugar, honey, ginger juice, natural flavors, vanilla, citric acid]
Pumpkin spice sauce [Sugar, condensed skim milk, pumpkin puree, contains 2% Or less of fruit and vegetable juice for color, natural flavors, annatto, salt, potassium sorbate]
Pumpkin spice topping [cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves]
How to Make a Copycat Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup oat milk
1 cup water
2 chai tea bags
3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
Start by adding the oat milk, water, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla into a small blender. Pulse to blend until smooth and the pumpkin has been fully incorporated.
Transfer the blended mixture into a stockpot over medium heat.
Add the 2 chai tea bags into the liquid. Let them steep for 10 minutes on medium/low heat, stirring occasionally.
Remove the tea bags and enjoy your warm, homemade pumpkin spice chai latte!
Storage
This pumpkin spice chai latte is best enjoyed immediately to savor its flavors and freshness. However, if you have any leftovers, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. When ready to enjoy, you can either reheat it gently on the stovetop or enjoy it chilled over ice. The flavors may change slightly after refrigeration, but it will still be delicious!
FAQ
What ingredients are used to make a pumpkin spice chai latte?
To follow my copycat pumpkin spice chai latte recipe, you will need oat milk, water, chai tea bags, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla.
Is a pumpkin spice chai latte vegan-friendly?
I use oat milk in this recipe, which makes it suitable for vegans! You can also opt for other plant-based milks like almond milk if you prefer. However, remember that the typical Starbucks pumpkin spice chai tea latte is not vegan unless made by request.
What type of milk works best with a pumpkin spice chai latte?
I love using oat milk in my pumpkin spice chai latte. Oat milk adds a creamy texture and complements the flavors of pumpkin and chai. However, if you don't have oat milk on hand, you can also use any nut-based milk, regular milk, or lactose-free milk as a substitute. Almond milk, cashew milk, and soy milk are great alternatives. The key is to choose a milk that you enjoy and that will provide a creamy and rich base for your latte.
Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup oat milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 chai tea bags
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Begin by adding the oat milk, water, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla into a small blender. Pulse to blend until smooth and the pumpkin has been incorporated.
- Transfer the liquid into a stockpot over medium/low heat.
- Add the 2 chai tea bags into the liquid. Let them steep for 10 minutes on medium/low heat, stirring occasionally
- Remove & enjoy warm.
