Made with real pumpkin puree and delicious pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this homemade pumpkin spice syrup is a must-make for fall! Enjoy it in your favorite coffee recipes like a homemade pumpkin spice latte or stir some into a glass of homemade cold brew!
Pumpkin is always front and center in autumn recipes. And it should be! Some of my favorites include pumpkin cream cold foam cold brew, pumpkin pie cheesecake dip, and soft pumpkin cookies. This pumpkin spice syrup may be a new favorite though!
What is pumpkin spice syrup?
Pumpkin spice syrup is a homemade simple syrup that can be used to flavor coffee drinks right at home – no trip to the coffee shop required!
Ingredients for this recipe
- Pumpkin puree – make sure it’s the canned puree and not pumpkin pie filling!
- Pumpkin pie spice – mine contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice
- Brown sugar – the molasses flavor in brown sugar adds such richness and depth
- Vanilla extract – I like homemade vanilla extract, but any good quality extract will do
- Water
Making pumpkin spice syrup at home
- Combine all the ingredients in a pan. This is just water, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract.
- Simmer for 5 minutes. Just to make sure the sugar is dissolved and everything is combined.
- Cool and store. This pumpkin sauce keeps in the fridge for up to 3 weeks!
Does Starbucks pumpkin spice sauce use real pumpkin?
The pumpkin sauce Starbucks uses in their seasonal drinks now contains real pumpkin puree. And my homemade recipe does too!
In addition, it has the traditional spices used in pumpkin pie – cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Starbucks’s syrup contains cloves so if you want an even closer copycat recipe, feel free to add a pinch of ground cloves!
Ingredient Substitutions
Sugar – Regular granulated sugar can be substituted for the brown sugar if it’s all you have on hand. If you’re wanting a more natural sweetener, you can also use real maple syrup in place of the brown sugar, just be sure to use only ½ cup of water to 1 cup of real maple syrup.
Spices – I use the jarred pumpkin pie spice, but if you don’t have any you can always make your own (there are so many recipes out there) or use the following: ¾ tsp. ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp. ground ginger, ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg, ¼ tsp. ground allspice, and a pinch of cloves (optional).
Pumpkin Puree – If you enjoy making your own pumpkin puree, feel free to use 2 tablespoon of it. Just be sure you are NOT using canned pumpkin pie filling.
Extracts – For even more fall flavor, you can add ½ tsp. maple extract.
You’ll love making this homemade version of Starbucks’s pumpkin spice syrup. It’s not only a delicious addition to any coffee drink, but it’s a money saving recipe that you can enjoy all season long!
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
- Whisk
- Glass jar with lid, for storage
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoon pumpkin puree, 1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract, whisking until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has completely dissolved. About five minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before storing in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
- Refer to post for ingredient substitutions.
- Syrup can be stored in refrigerator for up to three weeks.
- Makes ~1 ½ cups syrup.
Meghan says
Just made this and it's SOOOOO GOOOOD!!! 🎃 Highly recommend keeping a jar in the fridge all season (or all year long).
Amanda Gajdosik says
Love, love, LOVE to hear that Meghan! <3