It’s starting to get dark earlier ….. It’s getting chilly now ….. Leaves are falling ….. Everyone’s feeling spooky …. And the Pumpkin Spice Latte is out NOW!!! August 28, 2018, Starbucks announced or shall I say dropped some amazing news telling us our favorite seasonal drink was out now. Oh, I could assure you that many people were thrilled with this news. I know I was.

The pumpkin spice latte was first introduced following the successful winter drink the Peppermint Mocha (which will have another article once it comes out *wink*) on January 2003. They did experiments on the pumpkin flavor especially since there wasn’t any pumpkin around it at the time. The company later decided on a recipe with no pumpkin around. In the fall of 2003, the final recipe was tested, the pumpkin spice latte was released and was a great success. The Pumpkin Spice Latte was Starbucks’ most popular seasonal drink and still is 15 years later. In fact, this drink is older than me, I know shocking.

The first few sips of this amazing drink (or shall I say licks) of whipped cream at the top sprinkled with pumpkin-spice (cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg) are heavenly. This latte is hot and sweet with a very lightly spicy sweetness. Drinking this latte will feel like you’re right at home, snuggled up in a warm cozy sweater and blanket watching Netflix to enjoy the fall season. The whole latte is amazing, why can’t this latte be in the regular Starbucks’ menu, we don’t want to say goodbye and wait a year for it to be back. It’s heaven in our mouths.

If for whatever reason you can’t go to Starbucks to purchase this amazing drink, don’t worry–I got you. Here are the ingredients you need to make one at home:

Ingredients:
• 1 cup of milk
• 2 tablespoons pure pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for sprinkling
• ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¼ cup hot espresso or strong brewed coffee
• Sweetened whipped cream for serving

Directions:
• Combine the milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla in a medium microwave-safe bowl
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and vent with a small hole
• Microwave until the milk is hot, 1 and 2 minutes
• Whisk vigorously until the milk mixture is foamy about 30 seconds
• Pour the espresso or coffee into a large mug and add the foamed milk
• Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice

The pumpkin spice latte is one of the best seasonal drinks and I really do recommend it. I suggest going to Starbucks right now and catching a Pumpkin Spice Latte or even making one at home.