This pumpkin shaken espresso recipe is the perfect way to celebrate autumn without waiting in a coffee shop drive-thru line! It’s made using homemade pumpkin spice simple syrup, fresh brewed espresso, and the milk of your choice!
Growing up with a live-in Italian grandmother means you learn to take certain parts of Italian culture, like espresso, very seriously. But…one thing my grandmother, Bobo, taught me is that it’s important to have fun and not take yourself too seriously. This pumpkin coffee drink is a seriously good espresso-based beverage, but it’s also very fun. The best of both worlds! 😉
This recipe is inspired by my iced double shot shaken espresso recipe and my pumpkin simple syrup recipe. When you add the two recipes together, you get a fun, festive, caffeine-packed beverage that’s perfect for getting into the spirit of the fall season!
why this pumpkin coffee recipe works:
🎃 seasonal flavors. This iced espresso beverage has the bold, strong taste of espresso with a festive autumn twist of pumpkin and spice! If you are a fan of pumpkin spice lattes, you’re gonna love this!
🧊 icy cool. It seems like every year, pumpkin spice season starts earlier and earlier. This iced espresso beverage is perfect for enjoying when you’re craving fall flavors but the weather reminds you that it’s still summer.
⏱️ quick & easy. This recipe is ready to enjoy in a matter of minutes, and the longest part is making the espresso!
🛒 ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 instructions
Step 1: Brew a double espresso according to your espresso machine’s manufacturer’s instructions. Allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.
Step 2: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 3: Slowly pour in the espresso to the cocktail shaker.
Step 4: Add 1 ounce of pumpkin simple syrup to the cocktail shaker. Check the chart below for the amounts that Starbucks uses in each size.
Step 5: Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for 30-60 seconds, then pour the contents into your preferred glass. I like to fill the glass I’m using halfway with ice so there’s enough to fill the glass.
Step 6: Top with 2 ounces of the milk of your choice, adding more ice if needed. Serve immediately.
Hint: Use larger ice cubes if you are able to. Smaller ice like pebble ice will dilute faster when shaking the drink, watering your beverage down more.
💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ serving tips
- Serve your shaken espressos for breakfast or brunch!
- This beverage pairs great with seasonal pumpkin pancakes or waffles!
garnishing
- Set up a coffee bar to allow guests to customize their shaken espresso beverages!
- Make pumpkin simple syrup and a classic brown sugar simple syrup to allow guests to choose their favorite flavoring!
- Garnish with a dusting of pumpkin pie spice for a special touch!
ice tips
- Use larger ice cubes to keep the drinks from getting diluted.
- Throw in a few espresso ice cubes to keep your beverages cool and caffeinated.
- Make special ice spheres, cubes, or shapes for an extra-festive twist.
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- too bitter – Pouring piping hot espresso over ice can lead it to tasting bitter, so make sure to allow your espresso to cool before pouring it into the cocktail shaker. Additionally, you may need to troubleshoot how you are brewing your espresso. There are several contributing factors, like the coffee being ground too finely or the water flowing through too quickly. The good news is, once you figure out how to use your machine, it’s smooth sailing from there! ⛵️ You can also add a homemade saline solution to your coffee drinks to balance out the bitterness!
- too sweet – add milk, water, or more espresso to balance out a drink that is a bit too sweet.
- not sweet enough – beverages made in coffee houses tend to have a lot of sugar. So, if you are wanting a sweeter drink, add more syrup to your pumpkin beverage!
⚖️ scaling tips
This recipe can easily be scaled up if you need a bigger caffeine fix! Check out the standard barista sizes below for more information.
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♻️ substitutions & variations
Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!
- milk – while Starbucks uses 2% milk to make this beverage, you can use whole milk, skim milk, or the nondairy milk of your choice.
- espresso ice cubes – use espresso ice cubes if you don’t want your drink watered down by regular ice.
- cold brew – you can use cold brew if you don’t have espresso on hand! You can also brew a double strength coffee in your drip coffee maker or french press.
- boozy – add in a shot of Khalua or vanilla vodka for a spiked shaken espresso.
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🫙 storage tips
This beverage is best enjoyed immediately after making, but if you have to store it you can store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
💬 q+a
What is the difference between a shaken espresso and a latte?
A shaken espresso has equal parts espresso and milk (two ounces each) while a latte usually has a 1:4 ratio of espresso to milk. That means for every one ounce of espresso, or every shot, there are four ounces of milk.Add image
What is in a pumpkin shaken espresso?
A pumpkin shaken espresso contains two ounces of espresso, two ounces of milk, and one-half to one ounce of pumpkin simple syrup for a 16 ounce serving. This homemade version is much less sweet than the store-bought version at Starbucks!
What kind of milk can you use in a shaken espresso?
Dairy milk froths the best. The amount of foam you get depends on the protein and fat content of the milk you use. At Starbucks, they use 2% milk standard, but you can use whole milk or nonfat milk. You can also use non-dairy milk, but certain ones (like almond milk) don’t foam as well.
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Pumpkin Shaken Espresso (Easy Pumpkin Coffee)
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Equipment
- 1 espresso maker
- 1 drinking glass 12 ounce capacity, or larger
Ingredients
- 2 ounces espresso slightly cooled, one double shot
- 2 ounces milk whole milk, 2%, or non-dairy milk of choice
- 1 ounce pumpkin simple syrup
Instructions
- Prepare a double shot of espresso according to your manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the shot to cool for a few minutes.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Use large ice for best results.
- Slowly pour the espresso over the ice.
- Pour one ounce of pumpkin simple syrup over the ice. Use more syrup if you want a sweeter beverage.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Fill your preferred glass halfway with ice.
- Pour the shaken espresso and syrup mix over the ice.
- Top with preferred milk and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.
