Nothing is more relaxing and zen-like than a hot mug of this Chai Pumpkin Latte. No need to spend $4.50 for the Starbucks version when you can easily make and enjoy this one at home.
Have you ever had a Chai Pumpkin Latte? You might have tried a chai latte, but a chai pumpkin latte? Ohhh you are in for a treat Think velvety, creamy, spiced and sweet. With fall notes of cinnamon, ginger, maple, nutmeg and of course pumpkin.
Now don’t think this is an in your face PUMPKIN drink. Because it is not. The pumpkin is actually quite subtle which is what I like the best. Instead the pumpkin adds more of the creaminess to the drink than actual strong pumpkin flavor. The real star here is the chai tea.
This has been my drink of choice most nights for the past 2 months. After Poppy is in bed and the hubs and I have finished dinner, I’ll whip up one of these lattes in about 5 minutes. Seriously there is nothing more satisfying. It gives you that guilty pleasure feeling without the need to actually feel guilty. Instead it’s healthy, naturally sweetened and wholesome.
I call it my calming mama tea. No matter how nuts my day has been, a mug of this and all is good in the world.
I’ve had a $4.50 chai latte at Starbucks and although it is tasty, it cannot replace this amazing homemade version that I can enjoy curled up on the couch in my flannel PJs with my love or sip out on the deck on a fall afternoon while baby naps. Sorry Starbucks, you just can’t give me that!
Here is my favorite fall hot drink. Simple, wholesome and feel good. A truly perfect way to savor the moment.
Chai Pumpkin Latte {vegan & naturally sweetened}
Makes 1 portion. Easily doubled or tripled.
*Notes: I do not like my lattes overly sweet so I would recommend starting with ½ tablespoon of syrup, tasting and then adding more if needed. Also I like to strain my latte to remove any pumpkin residue but you do not have to do this if you don’t want to.
- 1 tea bag of spiced chai (I love this [amazon text=one&asin=B00M5ZWF42] and this one)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup plain, unsweetened almond milk, soy milk or regular milk
- 2 tablespoons real pumpkin purée
- 1/2 tablespoon real maple syrup*
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/8 ginger and 1/8 nutmeg)
- Tiny dash salt
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
In a small saucepan, add water and the tea bag and bring to a gentle boil. Turn off heat and let the tea steep for 4 minutes. Squeeze any water left in the tea bag with the back of a spoon by pressing it against the side of the pan. Set tea bag aside.
Turn heat to medium and add the milk, pumpkin purée, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin spice and salt to the pan. Whisk in the optional cornstarch. Warm up the liquid for about 2 more minutes then strain the tea (using a small strainer) into your favorite mug. I like adding the tea bag back in, to get every last bit of flavor.
Enjoy and breathe.
Originally posted 2016-11-02 07:00:00.
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