Autumn Lattes 3 ways – Matcha + Chai + Pumpkin Spice

My favourite season is now officially here! Colourful blowing leaves, pumpkins galore, roadside stands selling hearty fall produce, apple cider, pumpkin farms, corn stalks and hay bales, Thanksgiving and Halloween spirit, hoodies, jeans, cozy knit sweaters and boots, cool temperatures and warm food.  And of course pumpkin spice lattes!

There’s no better way to kick of the fall than with a seasonal latte. As you walk through the city when the weather cools down, the iconic green and white starbucks cups pop up everywhere full of delicious chai, vanilla, and pumpkin spice flavours. And a latte in the morning (and possibly the afternoon and evening!) adds a wonderful comfort on a cool fall day.

But as fancy and complicated as everyones favourite fall beverages may seem, they’re actually totally DIY-able and involve minimal effort!

Here are some easy recipes for three of my favourites….Matcha, Chai, and Pumpkin Spice

1. Matcha Latte 

Matcha Latte

1 serving

• 1 cup almond milk (or any other milk)
• 1 tsp matcha tea powder
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup
• a pinch of nutmeg

1. Mix the almond milk, maple syrup and nutmeg in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Add the matcha tea powder and mix well with a hand mixer or milk frother. You can also just use a whisk or fork but that tends to leave clumps.
3. Enjoy!

2. Pumpkin Spice Latte 

Pumpkin Spice Latte

If you’re anything like me, then at this time of year pumpkins are fighting for space on your countertop, and leftover bowls of cooked pumpkin in the fridge aren’t uncommon.  So it’s that much easier to whip up a latte.  Whenever I cook a pumpkin I save a couple of pieces just for that purpose. So when the pumpkin spice craving hits there’s no muscle power needed to cut the pumpkin and no waiting around for it to roast…. It’s cooked and ready to use! But if you don’t have any leftover pumpkin and don’t want to take the time to cut and cook one then you can also use canned pumpkin.

1 serving

• 1 cup almond milk  (or any other milk)
• 1 serving of espresso
• 1 heaping tbsp of pureed roasted pumpkin (or use canned pumpkin)
• 1 tsp maple syrup, agave or other liquid sweetener
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg

1. Mix the almond milk, espresso, maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Add the pumpkin, reduce heat and mix well with a hand mixer. Alternatively, you can pour the milk mixture into a blender to incorporate the pumpkin.
3. Froth using a milk frother if desired
4. Pour into your favourite mug and enjoy!

 

3. Chai Tea Latte   

    

Chai Tea Latte

1 serving

• 1 cup almond milk (or any other milk)
• 1/4 cup strong chai tea (1 chai tea bag + 1/4 hot water)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• pinch of ground ginger
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup, agave or other liquid sweetener

1. Put the chai tea bag in 1/4 cup hot water and let it sit for 5 minutes
2. In a small saucepan, bring the almond milk to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low and add the maple syrup, spices and chai tea. Stir well for 1 minute
4. Froth using a milk frother
5. Pour into your favourite mug, sprinkle some cinnamon on top and enjoy!