DIY pumpkin sauce for coffee Make Starbucks-style pumpkin spice sauce at home! Enjoy a healthier, affordable, and delicious pumpkin spice latte this fall.

Come fall, I’m a sucker for all things pumpkin spice—sorry, not sorry! I’ll enjoy the occasional foray into Starbucks if I’m near one. But after a few sugary pumpkin spice lattes, I do begin to wonder how many years I shaved off of my life by consuming them 😂

But I still want to scratch my pumpkin spice itch! So I decided to solve this once and for all by making a delicious DIY pumpkin sauce for coffee that is much healthier than the Starbucks version. And at a fraction of the cost!

This recipe is simple to make, and unlike other pumpkin spice recipes I tried, it actually has a super pleasant pumpkin spice taste.

3 Reasons to Love DIY Pumpkin Sauce for Coffee

1. Simple Ingredients You Can Trust

Making your own pumpkin spice sauce means you know exactly what’s in it. Just real ingredients like pure pumpkin puree and warm spices, with none of the additives you’d find in your local coffee shop or at Starbucks. It’s a great way to bring all those cozy fall-season vibes into your coffee without any of the extra junk…and cost.

2. Customize the Pumpkin Spice Flavor

This homemade pumpkin spice syrup recipe is super easy to make, and you can really make it your own. Like a stronger pumpkin flavor or a little extra cinnamon? Go for it! Just strain it through a fine mesh strainer, and you’ll get a smooth, rich sauce that’s perfect for homemade lattes or any of your favorite pumpkin drinks.

3. Skip the Coffee Shop Prices

You can skip the pricey coffee shop runs with this simple homemade pumpkin spice sauce recipe for coffee. It’s an awesome way to make iced pumpkin spice lattes, hot coffee, or any pumpkin drink you’re craving, all for way less. Plus, it’s a deliciously healthy recipe that you can store in a glass jar and even gift to friends who love pumpkin spice as much as you do!

What You’ll Need

¼ cup fresh pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves (or you can use 5 whole cloves if you can’t find the ground version)
1 cup filtered water
¾ cup brown sugar

Instructions

Add the pumpkin puree and all the spices to a small pot over low heat. Mix and allow to heat through.
Add the water and sugar and stir just until the sugar is dissolved.
Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer into a glass jar.
Allow to cool and store in the fridge.

Pro Tip: Save the sediment from the strainer! I use this in my Pumpkin Spice Sourdough Bread

FAQ

Not at all. Making this recipe at home during this pumpkin spice season is way cheaper than buying Starbucks pumpkin spice sauce or any other pre-made version. The ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, and you don’t have to worry about all those weird preservatives like potassium sorbate. Plus, you’re using real pumpkin puree, so it tastes way fresher. It’s a no-brainer, especially when you think about how much money you’re saving and you get all that awesome homemade flavor.

Oh, totally. This sauce isn’t just for coffee. You can drizzle it over ice cream, pour it on pumpkin pancakes, or even use it as a topping for French toast. The flavor is so good that you can add it to anything that could use a little pumpkin spice. Try it in your hot chocolate for a fun fall twist or drizzle it over your favorite desserts. Honestly, it’s one of those things you’ll keep coming back to all season long.

Going dairy-free or vegan with this recipe is super simple. Just swap the sugar for coconut sugar and replace any dairy with plant-based milk, like coconut milk or almond milk. It’s a great way to enjoy that cozy fall flavor without the dairy, and it still tastes just like the real thing. Your homemade pumpkin spice latte will still be just as delicious, but now everyone can enjoy it, no matter their dietary needs.

Instead of pumpkin puree, you could try using sweet potato puree for a slightly different flavor. If you don’t have ground cloves, you can use allspice or even skip it altogether. For the sweetener, maple syrup or coconut sugar are great alternatives to light brown sugar.

You can also play with the spices – add a little extra cinnamon or ginger if you like things spicier, or scale them back if you prefer a milder flavor. And if you don’t have a fine mesh strainer, you can always use a cheesecloth to strain out the bits. The best part? This recipe is super flexible, so you can make it your own

Tips

1. Use real pumpkin puree

Use real pumpkin puree, as this gives this pumpkin sauce recipe a rich, genuine pumpkin taste that pairs perfectly with fall drinks. You’ll get the best flavor with natural ingredients, avoiding any artificial taste found in pre-made syrups.

2. Strain for smoothness

After simmering, pour your sauce through a fine mesh strainer to catch any spice bits. This step is what gets you that silky-smooth texture pumpkin spice coffee syrup in lattes is known for. And while you’re at it, save that leftover spice sediment for baking!

3. Store in an airtight container

Once it cools, pour your sauce into an airtight container like a mason jar to keep it fresh. This homemade version will last in the fridge, ready for you to make your own at-home pumpkin spice lattes whenever the craving hits.

Storage

Once your pumpkin sauce has cooled, store it in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Want to keep some for later? Freeze it for up to 3 months. Using an ice cube tray for portion control is perfect—just pop out a cube when needed. Thawing is as easy as placing it in the fridge overnight or heating it gently over medium heat.

If it’s thicker after freezing, just stir in a little water, maple syrup, or sweetened condensed milk to get it back to the right consistency.

Simply warm the sauce over medium heat. If it’s been in the fridge or freezer, it may need a splash of liquid like coconut milk or skim milk to loosen it up. Stir or shake until it’s smooth and just how you like it.

Homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Sauce for Coffee

DIY pumpkin sauce for coffee Make Starbucks-style pumpkin spice sauce at home! Enjoy a healthier, affordable, and delicious pumpkin spice latte this fall.

Ingredients

¼ cup fresh pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves (or you can use 5 whole cloves if you can’t find the ground version)
1 cup filtered water
¾ cup brown sugar

Instructions

Add the pumpkin puree and all the spices to a small pot over low heat. Mix and allow to heat through.
Add the water and sugar and stir just until the sugar is dissolved.
Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer into a glass jar.
Allow to cool and store in the fridge.

Notes

Tips

Use real pumpkin puree

Strain for smoothness

After simmering, pour your sauce through a fine mesh strainer to catch any spice bits. This step is what gets you that silky-smooth texture pumpkin spice coffee syrup in lattes is known for. And while you're at it, save that leftover spice sediment for baking!

Store in an airtight container

Storage

Refrigeration: Once your pumpkin sauce has cooled, store it in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing and Thawing: Want to keep some for later? Freeze it for up to 3 months. Using an ice cube tray for portion control is perfect—just pop out a cube when needed. Thawing is as easy as placing it in the fridge overnight or heating it gently over medium heat.

If it’s thicker after freezing, just stir in a little water, maple syrup, or sweetened condensed milk to get it back to the right consistency.

Reheating: Simply warm the sauce over medium heat. If it's been in the fridge or freezer, it may need a splash of liquid like coconut milk or skim milk to loosen it up. Stir or shake until it’s smooth and just how you like it.