Homemade Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup
Pumpkin spice simple syrup is an easy way to add fall flavor to tea, coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider, mocktails, and desserts. Unlike a dry spice blend, the syrup dissolves easily in both hot and cold drinks.
This homemade version uses real pumpkin puree, warming spices, brown sugar, and vanilla. It takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare and makes it easy to create coffeehouse-style pumpkin drinks at home.
What Is Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is traditionally made by heating equal amounts of sugar and water until the sugar dissolves.
Pumpkin spice syrup builds on that basic recipe by adding:
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Pumpkin puree
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Cinnamon
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Ginger
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Nutmeg
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Cloves
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Vanilla
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Brown sugar
The result is a sweet, pourable syrup with the flavor of pumpkin pie.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe
Makes: Approximately 1½ cups
Preparation time: About 15 minutes
Ingredients
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1 cup water
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¾ cup brown sugar
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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⅓ cup pumpkin puree
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1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Small pinch of salt
Use plain pumpkin puree rather than canned pumpkin pie filling.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
Add the water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to a small saucepan.
Whisk until the pumpkin is evenly distributed.
Step 2: Heat the Syrup
Warm the mixture over medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Allow it to become hot and steamy, but avoid a vigorous boil. Boiling can make the syrup overly thick and may cause the pumpkin or sugar to scorch.
Step 3: Simmer Gently
Reduce the heat and gently simmer the mixture for approximately five minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Step 4: Strain the Syrup
For a smoother syrup, pour it through a fine-mesh strainer.
If you prefer an especially clear syrup, line the strainer with damp cheesecloth or a coffee filter. A coffee filter will work slowly because of the pumpkin puree.
You can also leave the syrup unstrained for a thicker texture and stronger pumpkin flavor.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Allow the syrup to cool, then transfer it to a clean jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid.
Label it with the preparation date and refrigerate it promptly.
How Long Does Pumpkin Spice Syrup Last?
Because this recipe contains real pumpkin, it should be refrigerated and used within approximately one week.
Always use a clean spoon when removing syrup from the container. Discard it if you notice mold, bubbling, an unusual odor, or another questionable change.
For longer storage, freeze the syrup in small portions.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Syrup?
Yes. Pour the cooled syrup into an ice-cube tray and freeze until solid.
Transfer the frozen cubes to a labeled freezer-safe container. Thaw individual portions in the refrigerator or add a frozen cube directly to a hot drink.
Do not fill containers completely when freezing liquid because the syrup needs room to expand.
How Much Syrup Should You Add to a Drink?
Begin with:
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Small drink: 1 tablespoon
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Medium drink: 1½–2 tablespoons
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Large drink: 2–3 tablespoons
Taste the drink before adding more. The ideal amount depends on the sweetness of the syrup and the other ingredients in your beverage.
If your milk, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate is already sweetened, use less syrup.
How to Use Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Try adding it to:
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Black tea
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Chai
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Rooibos
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Coffee
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Cold brew
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Hot chocolate
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Apple cider
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Milk
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Sparkling water
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Lemonade
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Mocktails
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Milkshakes
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Pancakes
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Waffles
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Oatmeal
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Ice cream
Shake or stir the syrup before using it because some pumpkin and spices may settle during refrigeration.
Pumpkin Spice Tea Latte
To make a quick tea latte, combine:
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¾ cup strongly brewed black tea, chai, or rooibos
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¾ cup warm milk
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1–2 tablespoons pumpkin spice syrup
Stir thoroughly and top with whipped cream or cinnamon.
For an iced version, allow the tea to cool and pour the mixture over ice.
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Prepare a mug of hot chocolate and stir in one tablespoon of pumpkin spice syrup.
Taste and add more if desired. Because the syrup adds sweetness, you may want to begin with unsweetened or lightly sweetened cocoa.
Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider
Stir one or two tablespoons of syrup into a mug of hot apple cider.
Add an orange slice and cinnamon stick for an easy fall drink. This is also a convenient way to add pumpkin flavor to a larger batch of mulled cider.
Pumpkin Cream Soda
For an easy fall mocktail, combine:
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1–2 tablespoons pumpkin spice syrup
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¾ cup sparkling water
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¼ cup milk or cream
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Ice
Stir gently and garnish with cinnamon.
Pour slowly because the combination of syrup, milk, and sparkling water may foam.
Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam
Combine:
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¼ cup cold milk or half-and-half
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1 tablespoon pumpkin spice syrup
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Pinch of cinnamon
Use a handheld milk frother until the mixture is thick and foamy.
Spoon it over iced tea, chai, coffee, cold brew, or hot chocolate.
How to Make Syrup Without Pumpkin Puree
If you want a thinner syrup with a longer refrigerated life, you can make a pumpkin-spice-flavored version without real pumpkin.
Combine:
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1 cup water
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1 cup sugar
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2 cinnamon sticks
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1 teaspoon whole cloves
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1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
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½ teaspoon pieces of dried ginger
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Gently simmer the water, sugar, and spices for approximately five minutes. Remove it from the heat, add the vanilla, and allow the spices to steep for another 10 minutes.
Strain, cool, and refrigerate.
This version tastes like pumpkin spice but does not actually contain pumpkin.
How to Adjust the Flavor
For More Pumpkin Flavor
Increase the pumpkin puree slightly. The syrup will be thicker and may need to be shaken before use.
For More Spice
Add another ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Increase it gradually because cloves and nutmeg can become overpowering.
For a Maple Version
Replace part of the brown sugar with pure maple syrup. Add the maple syrup after removing the saucepan from the heat.
For a Chai-Inspired Syrup
Add a pinch of cardamom and finely ground black pepper.
For a Caramel-Like Flavor
Use dark brown sugar and add a very small amount of molasses.
Can You Make Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Syrup?
You can make a lower-sugar version with a sweetener formulated for cooking, but it will not have exactly the same texture or storage qualities as traditional simple syrup.
Follow the manufacturer’s conversion instructions because sugar substitutes vary significantly in sweetness.
Keep the finished syrup refrigerated and make it in small batches.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
To make your own spice blend, combine:
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3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
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2 teaspoons ground ginger
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2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
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1 teaspoon ground cloves
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1 teaspoon ground allspice
Store it in a clean, dry, airtight jar and use it throughout the fall season.
An Easy Shortcut to Fall Drinks
A jar of homemade pumpkin spice syrup makes it easy to turn an everyday drink into a seasonal treat.
Add a spoonful to tea, chai, coffee, cider, or hot chocolate whenever you want pumpkin flavor without measuring several spices. You can also use it over pancakes, oatmeal, or ice cream.
Make a small batch, keep it refrigerated, and shake it before using.
Visit Calhoun Farmstead to explore our loose-leaf teas, chai blends, culinary spices, mulling spices, and other seasonal favorites for fall.
Cool mornings, earlier sunsets, colorful leaves, cozy blankets, and the return of all those wonderful apple, pumpkin, cinnamon, chai, and spice flavors make autumn the perfect season to explore tea. Here are some FALL TEA links you might enjoy!
Cozy Fall Teas & Herbs
Fall Tea Recipes
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Homemade Chai Tea Latte
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Apple Cinnamon Tea
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Maple Tea Latte
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Pumpkin Spice Tea Latte
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Vanilla Chai
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Honey Cinnamon Tea
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Spiced Black Tea
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Fall Tea Punch
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Slow Cooker Tea for Fall Gatherings
Fall Tea Resources
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Best Teas for Fall
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Cozy Teas for Chilly Fall Evenings
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Fall Tea Flavors to Try This Season
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Best Spices for a Warming Cup of Tea
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How to Create the Perfect Fall Tea Collection
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Black Teas for Sweater Weather
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Herbal Teas for Cozy Fall Nights