My Vegan Version of Starbucks’ Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte

If you’re like me, you can’t afford to go to Starbucks every day — but that doesn’t mean we can’t take part in the seasonal fall drinks! My favorite from their seasonal lineup is the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte. That’s why I found a way to recreate this fall favorite at home, vegan-style. Keep reading to see the recipe and see how it stacks up in calories and cost compared to the Starbucks version.

Ingredients

For the Chai Tea

• 2 chai tea bags
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Pumpkin Cream

• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or sweetener of your choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Assembly

These are all optional, but I like to go the extra mile and add some aesthetic touches.

• Ice cubes
• A tall glass
• A cute straw

 Instructions

1. Brew the Chai

Heat up your water in a tea kettle. Once it’s boiling, start steeping your chai tea bags in 1 cup of boiling water for about 5 minutes. This will give you a nice, strong chai base.

2. Mix the Pumpkin Cream

While your chai tea is steeping, whisk together the coconut milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it’s warm and slightly frothy. You don’t want it to boil, just heat it enough to combine all the flavors.

3. Assemble Your Latte

Fill a glass with ice cubes, then pour the brewed chai tea over the ice. Next, gently pour the pumpkin cream on top. Give it a little stir if you like, or let it swirl for that Instagram-worthy look.

• Optional: If you’re feeling extra indulgent, add a dollop of whipped coconut cream on top and a sprinkle of cinnamon for that extra touch of fall magic.

Nutrition & Cost Comparison

Nutrition Facts

A Grande Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte from Starbucks is 460 calories and 66 grams of sugar. For reference, we are only supposed to be eating 30 grams of sugar per day, so this is more than double that in a single drink!

Our homemade vegan version is not only more flavorful but also comes in somewhere between 300 and 350 calories and 14 to 18 grams of sugar, depending on how much maple syrup sweetener you use.

Price

The price for a grande at Starbucks is around $5.95 and the homemade one comes in much cheaper. The cost of groceries will fluctuate based on where you live, but here’s what my total looked like buying ingredients from my local Target.

• Chai Tea: $3.99 for a box, 24 cents per serving
• Pumpkin Puree: $1.29 for a can, 32 cents per serving
• Coconut Milk: $2.19, $1.30 per serving
• Maple Syrup: $8.99 for a bottle, 37 cents per serving
• Vanilla Extract: $4.19, 30 cents per serving
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: $1.99, 9 cents per serving
• Total: $2.62 per serving

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan iced pumpkin cream chai tea latte is not just a treat for your taste buds, but it’s also lighter on your wallet compared to the Starbucks version. Plus, it’s super customizable—add more spice, adjust the sweetness, or even mix in some extra vanilla. So, grab your ingredients, channel your inner barista, and enjoy this cozy fall favorite right from the comfort of your home. Cheers to making autumn delicious and affordable!