It’s that time of year when we start craving coziness, aching for cuddles on the couch, warm blankets and hot cocktails. The nesting begins and soon our homes are filled with dried fall leaves, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, and with any luck, a big bag of Halloween candy stocked in the pantry.
Like the first of the year, it feels like an era of fresh starts and new possibilities. Isn’t it funny how, as the flowers begin to fade, trees lose their foliage and animals begin to hide away for the winter, we feel a sense of renewal? I suppose every change of season brings about similar sentiments: as our environment is altered, so too is our way of seeing the world.
Of course, the biggest indicator of autumn’s arrival may in fact be the ushering in of the notorious PSL on every cafe menu around town. It’s become a staple and a treat so many look forward to come fall.
Here, I’ve adapted the latte to a version you can make at home, and most importantly spike with your favorite seasonal liqueur. Here, I’ve recommended the addition of coffee liqueur, but you could also play with bourbon or even some apple jack! I sipped mine alongside a loaf of pumpkin banana bread, a version from The Pioneer Woman that is so tasty and makes the perfect pairing with the latte. Here tou can find the Pumpkin Banana Bread — note I subbed in Ghirardelli’s 60% cacao chips for the nuts, which I felt was the best decision! 😉
Happy fall, dear friends!
Spiked Pumpkin Spice Latte
makes 2 cocktails
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 2 tsp turbinado sugar (more if you like it sweet)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup very strong coffee or 4 shots espresso
- 3 oz coffee liqueur
- warm milk or half & half for frothing (use your espresso machine’s frother, or I love this cheap handheld frother!)
Assembly
Combine first 5 ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld. Pour equally into two glasses. Add 1/2 cup and 1.5 oz coffee liqueur to each cup. Top each cup with frothed milk and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.