DIY Pumpkin Spice Syrup

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Well, hello pumpkin spice season! If you’re a lover of all things pumpkin, coffee shop fancy drinks, and other pumpkin treats then you really need this DIY pumpkin spice syrup in your life!

Homemade pumpkin spice syrup and vanilla bean simple syrup in swing top bottles laying down on a kitchen towel on a brass platter.

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This pumpkin spice syrup recipe has all the fall goodness wrapped up with real pumpkin flavor and all the intoxicating warm spices.

This recipe was inspired by my homemade simple syrup made with Madagascar vanilla beans and vanilla extract, and pairs well with a whole myriad of upcoming fall drink recipes.

This is my version of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Syrup, except I’m using no shortcuts of flavor. Just good old-fashioned whole spices like cinnamon sticks, real pumpkin, and fresh ground nutmeg.

Ingredients

These simple ingredients really make this pumpkin spice sauce pack a punch. I’d be lying if I didn’t say making your own pumpkin spice syrup is a great way to usher in all the best things of the fall season.

Pumpkin spice syrup ingredients in milk glass bowls nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, ginger root, pumpkin puree, cloves, nutmeg, sugar, water, and vanilla extract.
Ingredients for Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup – Homemade Vanilla Extract, Water, Cinnamon Sticks, Pumpkin Puree, Ginger root, Cloves, Sugar, and Nutmeg.

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE SYRUP

  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Whole Cloves or Ground Cloves
  • Fresh-Grated Ginger or Ground Ginger
  • Fresh-Grated Nutmeg or Ground Nutmeg
  • Pumpkin Purée
  • Homemade Vanilla Extract or Vodka

See the recipe card for the full recipe.

How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup – Instructions

This simple syrup is extremely flavorful as far as easy recipes go. And this is my absolute favorite way to add spice to the fall season. I mean, besides chai.

Simple syrup in a small saucepan on the stove, sugar dissolved in water.

STEP 01

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer. Allow the sugar to fully dissolve.

Ingredients added to the simple syrup, cinnamon sticks, pumpkin puree, ground nutmeg, whole cloves, and fresh-grated ginger.

STEP 02

Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and pumpkin purée. And then allow it to simmer for 20 minutes.

Pumpkin spice syrup taken off the heat while cooling before straining it through a wire mesh strainer.

STEP 03

Remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, nut milk bag, or cheesecloth.

Strain your pumpkin spice syrup through a wire mesh strainer, cheese cloth, or nut bag.

STEP 04

When it has cooled add Homemade Vanilla Extract or Vodka (or another alcohol) to keep it shelf stable for 3-6 months.

Hint: Add the Homemade Vanilla Extract or Alcohol after the pumpkin spice syrup is taken off the heat for best results.

Watch a Video Tutorial “Pumpkin Spice Syrup”

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Substitutions

There is always an easy way to do every recipe and a more complex better way with deeper flavors. But in a pinch, you can definitely make a scrumptious homemade syrup with a few quick switchouts.

  • Pumpkin Spice Flavor – I made it my mission to use as many whole ingredients as possible, but you can easily substitute the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole nutmeg, and fresh-grated Ginger for ground versions. Or simplify by just using Pumpkin Pie Spice.
  • Sugar – This homemade pumpkin syrup would be even more of decadent syrup if you used dark brown sugar in place of white. Go a little mad scientist and experiment with coconut sugar, honey, and maple syrup. Or make a sugar-free pumpkin spice syrup with a favorite liquid sugar alternative like Stevia.
  • Pumpkin Puree – This recipe works great with a can of pumpkin puree or a homemade puree made with an actual pumpkin. The flavor of real Pumpkin puree really can’t be substituted though and is pretty much the main ingredient in this simple recipe.

Variations

Making your own syrup is such an easy process and it’s really the best way to ensure your drinks and desserts aren’t riddled with high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or unknown preservatives.

  • Thicker Syrup – Make a double fold of this recipe for added shelf stability or a more concentrated version. Simply double the sugar to water ratio to 2:1, 2 Cups Sugar to 1 Cup Water.
DIY simple syrups in swing top glass bottles on a brass platter with brass candlesticks.

How Can I Use Pumpkin Spice Syrup?

Let your imagination be your guide. After you’ve had a taste of it, it’s easy to imagine it in or on all your favorite foods.

  • Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Recreate your favorite coffee shop drinks like this one or a Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam with this easy latte syrup.
  • Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup Use it to sweeten and add fall flavorings to a cup of coffee. Which could only make your favorite coffee that much more decadent.
  • Cold Brew Sweeten your morning iced coffee recipes.
  • Delicious Topping Drizzle this delicious syrup on ice cream, french toast, or Pumpkin Pancakes.
  • Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream Add a couple of Tablespoons to heavy cream to make the most delicious pumpkin spice whipped cream.
  • Hot Milk Add a tablespoon of syrup to a cup of hot milk for the perfect way to end a fall day.

Equipment

The best part of this delicious syrup is the taste, but the second best part is the very short list of tools and supplies you need to make it.

  • Small Saucepan
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Fine Grit Strainer, Nut Milk Bag, or Cheesecloth
  • Funnel
  • Airtight Container mason jar or another glass jar, swing top bottle, etc.

Storage

The typical simple syrup has a shelf life of 2-3 weeks if stored in an airtight container out of direct sunlight or refrigerated.

Extend the shelf life with two options:

  1. Make a double-fold simple syrup with a 2:1 sugar to water ratio. 2 cups of sugar to 1 cup of water. This can extend the shelf life up to 3 months.
  2. Add 2 Tbsp of Homemade Vanilla Extract (made with alcohol), Vodka, or another type of alcohol. This can extend the shelf life up to 6 months.

Top tip

For best results and safety don’t add Homemade Vanilla Extract or alcohol to the pumpkin spice syrup until it is off the heat and cooling. I added mine after about 5 minutes of cool time.

Homemade pumpkin spice syrup and vanilla bean simple syrup laying on a kitchen towel.

DIY Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Yield: 24 oz.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Delicious Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup.

Ingredients

  • 1½ Cups Sugar
  • 1½ Cups Water
  • 6 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 12 Whole Cloves
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh-grated Ginger
  • 1/2 tsp Fresh-grated Nutmeg
  • 4 Tbsp Pumpkin Purée
  • 2 Tbsp Homemade Vanilla Extract or Vodka

Instructions

  1. Start off with the simple syrup recipe. Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan on medium-high heat and simmer until completely dissolved.
  2. Then add all the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin puree to your saucepan.
  3. Lower to medium-low heat and let the mixture boil or simmer for 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally.
  4. .Take it off the heat and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  5. Strain your pumpkin spice syrup with a fine mesh strainer, nut milk bag, or cheesecloth.
  6. Add your homemade vanilla extract or vodka to the mixture and stir.
  7. Store your homemade pumpkin syrup in an airtight container.

Notes

Substitutions:

  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 4 Tbsp Homemade Pumpkin Puree*


*Not Pumpkin Pie Filling

© Julie
Category: Syrup

FAQ

The absolute best and most decadent pumpkin spice syrup includes real pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, sugar, vanilla extract, and water.

Yes, they do. And while Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup includes real cane sugar, it also includes preservatives like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as well as artificial coloring.

Before 2015, Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes actually only included orange artificial coloring and pumpkin pie spices. However, due to increasing pressure on the issue, they finally added it in.

Pumpkin pie spice typically contains a variation of the spices cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg.

Neither Pumpkin Spice nor Pumpkin Pie Spice contains any pumpkin but instead refers to the spices typically found inside a pumpkin pie recipe. However, you can use a variation of the spices cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, mace, and nutmeg. Use whatever you have on hand and try out different combinations!

Food safety

We sometimes take for granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience, that the average visitor may not. Add to, or remove from, the list below with health and safety tips.

  • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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Hi, I’m Julie! Mother to five beautiful kids, Homeschool Educator, Writer, Handicraft & DIY Enthusiast, Photographer, Thrifter, and Furniture Restorer. Follow along for fun DIY projects creating a handmade home on a budget! Read more about me here→

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