Pumpkin Spice Coffee

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 05/13/21
Pumpkin Spice Coffee

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 15 mins
Serving: 1 to 6 servings
Yield: 9 to 18 pots
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
41 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
2g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 41
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 146mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 103mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

When autumn rolls around, your mind may naturally wander to all things pumpkin spice. While lattes are great, it's not every coffee drinker's style, and they're not always quick or convenient. Fortunately, it's really easy to make pumpkin spice coffee at home.

This flavored coffee recipe begins with a simple spice blend that includes all of the favorite baking spices found in pumpkin pie. Once that's made up, you can add it to the coffee grounds and brew up a steaming cup using your preferred coffee maker. Whether you use a pour-over brewer, stovetop espresso pot, or rely on a drip coffee machine, the spice mix will flavor your coffee with the warm, comforting taste of pumpkin spice. There's even a method that works for the French press.

No matter which brewer you prefer, use 1 teaspoon of the pumpkin spice mix for every 1/4 cup of ground coffee (medium and dark roasts are best). For pour-over coffee, small moka pots, and other single-cup brewers, 1/2 teaspoon will work just fine. In large percolator pots and full-sized drip machines, the full teaspoon will flavor the entire pot of coffee. This ratio creates a pleasant pumpkin spice flavor that almost anyone will enjoy. If you're a big fan of pumpkin spice, you might want to add more to your brew.

This coffee is really nice when sweetened with raw sugar. It adds a dark sweetness that marries the coffee and spice flavors, giving it that finished pumpkin pie taste. Use your favorite sweetener and add a creamer if you like, or use the flavored coffee to whip up a pumpkin spice latte when you're in the mood for a real treat.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Spice Mix:

  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

For the Coffee:

  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

  • 1/4 cup ground coffee

  • 1 to 2 teaspoons raw sugar, optional and to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Coffee
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  2. In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

    Making Pumpkin Spice Mix for Coffee
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  3. Mix well to combine.

    Making Pumpkin Spice Mix for Coffee
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  4. Transfer to a jar with a tight seal and store along with other spices. It will stay fresh for a few months.

    Pumpkin Spice Mix for Coffee
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  5. To brew coffee, add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice mix on top of 1/4 cup of ground coffee in your favorite brewer filled with the required amount of water.

    Brewing Pumpkin Spice Coffee
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  6. Using a fork, mix the spices into the coffee grounds. Brew as normal.

    Brewing Pumpkin Spice Coffee
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  7. Pour the brewed coffee into a mug and sweeten with raw sugar if desired.

    Pumpkin Spice Coffee
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  8. Serve and enjoy.

    Pumpkin Spice Coffee
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Coffee in a French Press

The French press is unique among coffee brewers. With the plunger and coarsely ground coffee, it doesn't work out particularly great with ground spices. Stick to whole spices instead: Add 2 cinnamon sticks broken in half, 3 whole cloves or 5 whole allspice, 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger to a large French press. Mix them in with the coffee and they'll infuse the coffee with flavor as it steeps. For smaller presses, try it with half the spices. As with any coffee drink, play with the ratio to see what you prefer.

Tips

  • Though each brewer is different and you should always adjust it to your personal taste, the "golden rule" ratio is 1 to 2 tablespoons ground coffee for every 6 to 8 ounces of water.
  • For the best-tasting pumpkin spice coffee, use whole coffee beans, and grind them fresh each time. Make sure the grind size is a good match for your brewer.
  • If you measure ground coffee by the spoon or weight, 1/4 cup equals 4 tablespoons and about 20 grams of medium grind.
  • While you could leave the spice mix in a pile on top of the coffee grounds, it's best to mix them in. Particularly with the metal filters of some brewers, the ground spices will get gummy when wet and can clog up the tiny holes.
  • Pre-ground spices make this a quick spice blend to mix up. If you prefer, process whole spices individually using a spice grinder then mix them together.

Recipe Variation

  • Switch to allspice instead of cloves. Whole cloves and allspice will work but use just a couple. Don't go overboard on either spice because they can easily overpower the coffee and give it a musky bitterness.
  • Use this flavored coffee to quickly make a pumpkin spice latte: Brew the coffee extra strong (or use a moka pot for stovetop espresso) with 1/2 teaspoon extra of the pumpkin spice mix for more flavor. Froth milk on the stovetop and add it to the hot coffee.