One of my absolute favorite things from college was getting an extremely expensive Starbucks pumpkin spice latte to go with my giant stack of homework.

I’d carefully carry it up the stairs of the old college library, make my way to a corner desk that overlooked the city of Portland, Maine where I could glance (or stare) at the people bustling below the beautiful orange, red, and yellow leaves of the trees on the sidewalk.

It would rest carefully on the edge of the desk, a constant reward and motivation to get through the next page or paragraph.

I would let it sit as long as possible so I could sip it slowly, enjoying the first scalding hot sips all the way through to the final iced cold endings as the study session concluded.

That seems like a lifetime ago now, someone else’s distant memory. To my absolute devastation, when I was pregnant with my oldest son I suddenly lost my affinity for pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks. I could hardly believe the first time I took that beautiful sip and nearly spit it out! I’d heard that pregnancy changes your taste some ways, but I couldn’t believe this betrayal!

As time went on, I came back to pumpkin again and again at other lovely bakeries and coffee shops. Surprisingly enough, and thankfully, it was just Starbucks coffees!

With that realization, I happily returned to my favorite drink.

Fast forward life to now – our third baby on the way – things are a little different with our expenses and I can’t pop down anytime I want a latte.

So enter the era of homemade drinks!

Today’s share? The favorite that started it all: Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Here’s what I use:

2 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup

2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Puree

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 Cup Milk

A Single Shot of Espresso

I start by blending the syrup, pumpkin & spices till smooth. Then I mix in the milk & use the frother to get it nice and foamy! In goes the espresso and then finally the ice.

And, if your babies are like mine & want everything you have, I’ve found that making them this whole recipe, minus the espresso of course!, has been really fun. They are so cute having their own “lattes” with mommy & daddy over Sunday breakfast. Trust me, it’s adorable.

I hope you can also bring some yummy pumpkin into your last days of summer!