- Nutrition -

Anatomy of a Pumpkin Spice Latte (Infographic)

Pumpkin spice lattes have been available at major coffee chains for weeks already. We break down their ingredients, and offer a homemade alternative for you to make on your own.

By Experience Life Staff |

Starbucks introduced the seasonal treat — now known simply as the PSL — in 2003. It has since spawned a widespread cult following and countless copycats.

What exactly makes the PSL so enticing? Well, for starters, there’s about 49 grams of sugar (12 teaspoons) in a typical 16-ouncer, which contains espresso, steamed milk, pumpkin-flavored syrup, and whipped-cream topping. What’s not clear is whether the concoction contains any actual pumpkin or squash. Starbucks lists most ingredients on its site but declined to specify all the contents in its so-called pumpkin syrup.

Click on the circles in the interactive image below to learn more about the anatomy of a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Wholesome Pumpkin Spice Latte

By Maggie Fazeli Fard

This comforting cool-weather drink is a vegan, dairy-free, homemade alternative to the pumpkin spice lattes that crop up at coffee shops each autumn. As a bonus — and unlike its commercial, chemical-laden counterparts — this PSL contains actual pumpkin.

Makes 1 to 2 servings.

  • 2 cups strongly brewed coffee
  • 1 cup almond or coconut milk (or other dairy-free milk alternative)
  • ¼ cup pure pumpkin purée
  • ½ tsp. vanilla
  • 1/8 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
  • Dash of cloves
  • Optional: honey or maple syrup (2 to 3 tbs., or to taste)
  1. Brew your coffee of choice.
  2. In a saucepan, combine milk, pumpkin purée, and spices (and sweetener, if using). Stir over medium heat until the mixture is gently bubbling.
  3. Combine the coffee and pumpkin-milk mixture in a mug.

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