Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home

I love fall, and I love pumpkins, and like a lot of other poor saps, I'm a sucker for a Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte. However, being an eternal cheapskate, I've been wondering for awhile how I could replicate the experience at home.

Lo and behold, someone's saved me the trouble:

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home By The Daily Meal | Shine Food, Nov 8, 2012 INGREDIENTS • ½ cup milk • ½ cup coffee • 3 tablespoons pumpkin purée • 2 tablespoons agave nectar (more to sweeten) • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • ½ teaspoon nutmeg • ½ teaspoon cloves We recreated the PSL using nonfat milk, whole milk, and even half-and-half. You'll find that the nonfat milk won't create as much froth and bubbles as whole milk and half-and-half, but it will definitely cut back on the calories and fat. We used a 1:1 ratio of milk to coffee; if you like more a milkier, pumpkin-y taste to your coffee, feel free to add more or less milk. Either way, it's best to use a strongly brewed cup of joe for your PSL - otherwise, you might as well be drinking a steamer. For a lower-cal sweetener, we went with light agave nectar to sweeten our drink; and no drink would be complete without a splash of vanilla. Pumpkin pie spice is a mix of "warming spices," like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. Lori Lange of Recipe Girl recommends ginger and allspice in her mix. For ours, we used cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a spicy kick. Add pumpkin purée, milk, and agave nectar to a small pot over medium heat and whisk quickly for about 5 minutes. Add in pumpkin pie spices and vanilla, and continue to whisk. Your spices may not totally dissolve into the milk; if you prefer a smoother texture, use less of the spices, or add it them at the end. If you have less time on your hands, put your concoction in the microwave for bubbling, frothy milk in less than 2 minutes. If you want to get really fancy,put your milk into a blender to make it frothy. Once the milk is frothy and bubbling, add it to your mug. Pour in the coffee on top, and you're good to go. Of course, there's always the option to add whipped cream and more spices on top for an extra pumpkin-y drink. After all, we like the taste of pumpkin. With our version, you'll get that true pumpkin taste without the syrups and sweeteners.

Woo hoo! Now I can get my pumpkin on (and do it lactose free and fair trade too). WIN!