100 Days of Real Food

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
×
Home » Recipes

“Pumpkin Spice” Hot Chocolate (or Mocha or Latte)

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate from 100 Days of Real Food

Want to Save this Recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!

Save Recipe

Just in case you aren’t feeling the spirit of autumn yet here’s one more reason to get you in the mood. Every year there’s lots of talk about Starbuck’s famed “Pumpkin Spice Latte,” but why leave the kids out of all the fun? I don’t know about you, but my children have not graduated to lattes quite yet, which is why I came up with this "Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate" drink for them instead. And since it has cocoa in it you can easily add a shot of espresso to turn it into an adult "Pumpkin Spice Mocha" (or Latte) as well…which means there is something for everyone. Enjoy!

pumpkin spice chart
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate from 100 Days of Real Food

Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa (or Mocha or Latte)

If you're a huge fan of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte during the fall, then you'll love this much healthier homemade version. I love that now the kids can also enjoy this yummy drink since I've included a hot cocoa version for them, too!
6 Reviews / 5 Average
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
Course: Holiday, Smoothies & Drinks
Cuisine: American
Diet: Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Print Recipe
Servings: 1 cup
Save Recipe Saved!

Ingredients
  

Hot Cocoa Version:

  • 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup)
  • ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (found in baking aisle of most stores)
  • ½ teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao (I personally love Hershey's Special Dark, which can be found at most stores))
  • ¾ cup milk (warmed)
  • whipped cream (optional (see link below for recipe))

Instructions
 

  • Mix together the honey, pumpkin pie spice, and cacao or cocoa.
  • Add hot milk (and espresso if using).
  • Top with optional homemade whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin spice. Serve immediately.

Notes

We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa (or Mocha or Latte)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 136 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 18mg6%
Sodium 79mg3%
Potassium 242mg7%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 295IU6%
Calcium 207mg21%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Want weekly REAL FOOD meal plans made for you?→ Check It Out

More Recipes

  • Garlic butter steak bites.
    Garlic Butter Steak Bites
  • Chicken sausage sheet pan.
    Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan
  • Sausage stir fry.
    Sausage Stir Fry
  • Sausage broccoli pasta.
    Sausage Broccoli Pasta
64.6K shares

About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. Dawn says

    September 11, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    How do I change this to just make delicious home made hot chocolate...leave out the pumpkin spice, double up on cocoa instead and leave out honey?...Also would vanilla almond milk be a good substitution for milk?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says

      September 27, 2012 at 1:28 pm

      Hi Dawn. You can try this recipe for hot cocoa...https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/12/14/budget-day-57-baby-it’s-cold-outside/. I would substitute plain, unsweetened almond milk for the milk. Jill

      Reply
  2. Carlee says

    September 11, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    This looks so delicious! I'm going to have to make some this evening after work. Yum!

    Reply
  3. Rebecca says

    September 11, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    Coffee shop pumpkin drinks taste like pumpkin, which this won't. It will just be a spiced hot chocolate or mocha.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      September 11, 2012 at 5:25 pm

      There are other recipes that actually add pumpkin puree. They make it a bit sludgy, IMO, but they are still tasty and still real food.

      Reply
  4. Melissa says

    September 11, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Nutrition info would be awesome, if you could find a way to compile it quickly. I know those nutrition builders are clumsy, though.

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says

      September 27, 2012 at 1:17 pm

      Hi Melissa. Sorry, we don't calculate the nutrition information for our recipes. Jill

      Reply
  5. Alexis says

    September 10, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    Do you have a caloric guide?

    Reply
  6. Christal Espelage says

    August 27, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    Do you have any clean recipes for an iced coffee? I like hazelnut, but anything healthier than the kind I get now (McDonald's hazelnut iced coffee), would be great :)

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says

      September 12, 2012 at 9:23 am

      Hi Christal. Check out this recipe...you could always make it chilled...https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/03/04/recipe-maple-mocha/. Jill

      Reply
  7. Caroline says

    March 09, 2012 at 10:35 am

    I am thinking about making a batch of this "syrup" to share at my MOPS group. Is it ok if I print out the recipe to share?

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      March 09, 2012 at 11:05 am

      Of course! As long as people give credit I do not mind them sharing. :)

      Reply
  8. erica thompson says

    December 08, 2011 at 9:27 am

    I havent been able to find Pumpkin spice over here. Is it a US thing? I read somewhere, probably on this site somewhere, that it has cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger & cloves in it, all items that I keep in the cupboard. What sort of ratios should I use to make my own?

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      January 02, 2012 at 1:02 pm

      Here's a recipe for it! http://www.5dollardinners.com/2011/10/erins-homemade-pumpkin-pie-spice.html

      Reply
  9. MyPeaceOfFood says

    November 07, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    I'm really starting to get sick of the way processed grains make me feel, to the point where I'm feeding the leftover donuts my husband bought this weekend to the squirrels (and don't get me started on the Halloween candy). Meals I can do the real way, but snacks, for my 18-month-old especially, have been hard to navigate. I'm going to try treating him more like a grown-up and offering him this hot chocolate now that it's the season.

    I know I've said this before, but whenever I think of real food I think of you — you're the angel on my shoulder!

    Reply
  10. Dimplehead says

    October 27, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    In addition to the recipe.. I really like that mug!! Where is it from?

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 27, 2011 at 10:26 pm

      Thank you! I got it at Pier 1 last year (part of a set), but I think they still sell them.

      Reply
  11. Courtney says

    October 27, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    I made this yesterday for myself and my kids after playing outside in our first snow of the year, and we all loved it! How great that we can enjoy hot chocolate with barely any sugar! Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Coleen says

    October 24, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    The recipe looks wonderful and one I will most certainly make. However rather than use milk, I will use a milk substitute such as coconut mile or almond milk. I'm surprised to see the use of milk in the recipe given the studies that are out there about the use of growth hormones given to cows and that we ingest through milk consumption. Follow any of Dr. Mercola's writings on the concerns with milk and also GreedMedingo.com

    GreenMedInfo.com
    Conventional milk contains the recombinant bovine growth hormone, designed to dramatically increase milk production. As far back as 1937, the administration of bovine growth hormone was shown to increase the milk yield in lactating cows by preventing mammary cell death in dairy cattle. As cancer is the immortalization of the cell, you can understand why interfering with mammary cell death may increase the risk of breast cancer (and others).
    IGF-1 in rBGH milk is a potential risk factor for both breast and gastrointestinal cancers. | GreenM
    http://www.greenmedinfo.com
    This toxicological article on GreenMedInfo.com concerns - Unlabeled milk from cows treated with biosynthetic growth hormones: a case of regulatory abdication.

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 25, 2011 at 7:45 pm

      We drink milk from cows that have not been treated with hormones.

      Reply
  13. Courtney says

    October 24, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    this is such a delicious recipe---I had it both saturday & sunday morning!! I used organic agave nectar from trader joes mixed with the ghiradelli unsweetened cocoa. I made like a syrup on the bottom of my mug. I also put the pumpkin pie spice over my coffee grounds to enhance the flavor while brewing. If you mostly make it a coffee treat, with low fat milk---it ends up only being around 100-120 calories.

    Reply
  14. Catherine says

    October 23, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    My pumpkin pie spice has sugar in it. Is this the same as your's?

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 25, 2011 at 4:48 pm

      No, mine does not have sugar in it. Here's how you can make your own from the $5 Dinner Mom: http://www.5dollardinners.com/2011/10/erins-homemade-pumpkin-pie-spice.html

      Reply
  15. irmine says

    October 22, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    I didn't have any pumpkin spice i made hot chocolate. We use the real COCOA it's very strong , taste much better, we get it from Haiti. We don't use hot chocolate powder. we broiled the water with cinamon stick ,put milk , vanilla extrat and the cocoa. Delicieux !!!!!!

    Reply
  16. M says

    October 21, 2011 at 1:36 am

    I just made this. I used agave syrup instead of honey and it was delish. Just thought I would let people know since there was only one comment on how the recipe actually was. Yum!

    Reply
  17. Stephanie says

    October 20, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    Hi Lisa,

    Do you have a pumpkin bread recipe? My youngest daughter loves baking with me and I think this would be a great way to spend a cold Sunday after church. Lil cocoa and baki

    Thanks,
    Steph

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 25, 2011 at 3:50 pm

      Yes, here you go! https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/09/28/recipe-pumpkin-bread/

      Reply
  18. JaimeB says

    October 20, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    Try adding an 1/8 cup pumpkin puree per serving! Just whisk it in or blend together... it makes the texture a bit thicker, but it's soooo good and adds nutritional value and boosts the drink to the next level. The only way I'll make a pumpkin spice drink now, even with the extra step- it's worth it!

    Reply
  19. Karin says

    October 20, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    Just found your site and really commend you for all your efforts-- especially your effort to share your learnings, your enthusiasm, and your commitment to teaching your children and all the others who will visit your web site about the value of eating 'real food'. The recipe for the Pumpkin Spice sounds fabulous and I can't wait to make a few for our kids later this week. I will, however substitute the Hershey's Chocolate for a 'fair trade' brand. If you are not familiar with Hershey's child/slave labor practices . . . you might want to investigate. As Michael Pollan states, we vote with our fork.

    Reply
  20. Helen says

    October 19, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    I just made this for my 7 year old daughter and myself as it is a very cold, windy day here in Wisconsin. This is wonderful!! I got out our snowman mugs and made a batch for us to sip in front of the fire. Who says eating real food isn't delicious?

    Reply
  21. Gale says

    October 19, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    I liked the sound of this until I read that it has only 1/4 tsp of cocoa. Really, how can you call this hot chocolate? I'll make my hot chocolate and add the other ingredients. Do like many of your recipes.

    Reply
  22. Lauren says

    October 18, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    This sounds so delicious can't wait to try it with my kiddos!!

    Reply
  23. Dena says

    October 17, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    OH YUM!!!! This is wonderful especially this time of year.

    Do you have any idea how to make a Carmel Latte? Would this recipe maybe act as a starting point?

    Thank you SO much for your blog and completely LOVING the new print function.

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 25, 2011 at 2:46 pm

      I am not sure about a carmel latte exactly, but I imagine it would be a carmel sauce (check Deliciously Organic's blog for that) mixed with espesso and hot milk. Good luck!

      Reply
  24. Heather says

    October 16, 2011 at 8:31 pm

    I am LOVING the "print recipe" button! Thanks! I have been enjoying your blog for over a year and it just keeps getting better!
    Heather in San Diego!

    Reply
  25. Samantha says

    October 16, 2011 at 12:16 am

    I don't drink coffee and so the one time a year I go to Starbucks I just order a pumpkin spice hot chocolate! I really don't think there is a better combination than pumpkin and chocolate. So I will definitely be trying this recipe out at home! Thanks!

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 17, 2011 at 3:50 pm

      I didn't even realize they had a hot chocolate version...good to know!

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        October 17, 2011 at 5:49 pm

        It isn't on the actual menu, but they will make it if you ask for it. :D

  26. Nory says

    October 15, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    I used to love starbucks pumpkin spice latte, but it tastes different this year, and now after reading your website and I am more aware of what I eat, I am less likely to drink it. I will be trying this recipe out, although I am not a hot chocolate fan. I wish I knew how to make my own pumpkin spice latte. :)Thank you for this recipe.

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 17, 2011 at 3:45 pm

      For this to be a latte, make the "mocha" version, leave out the cocoa and add milk foam. I believe that's the main difference, although I am certainly not a coffee drink expert!

      Reply
  27. winni says

    October 12, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    I used to love Stbx pumpkin spice lattes...then I found out what the "pumpkin spice syrup" was made of:

    Sugar, Condensed Nonfat Milk, Sweetened Condensed Nonfat Milk, Annatto (E160b, Colour), Natural and Artificial Flavours, Caramel Colour (E150D), Salt, Potassium Sorbate (E202, a preservative).

    Do you see pumpkin in that list of ingredients? Gross. And definitely not real food. Now I make my own and it is worlds better (and cheaper) than their version.

    Reply
    • Greta says

      October 24, 2011 at 7:16 pm

      oh wow! You know, I never thought about the syrup ingredients! Thanks for the info

      Reply
    • Wendy says

      October 25, 2011 at 4:43 pm

      There is no pumpkin in pumpkin pie spice. It's a blend of spices (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg) that gives pumpkin pie it's unique flavor.

      Reply
  28. Vonda says

    October 12, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    This just sounds yummy! I am going to try this and share it too.

    Reply
  29. Jenn says

    October 12, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    Thank you so much for this recipe!!! Now that it's been getting cooler, my husband asked how we are going to get through the winter without our swiss miss! :-) Now I have the perfect solution. Can't wait to try it! I already have all the ingredients on hand! yay :-)

    Reply
  30. Charlotte Locavore says

    October 11, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    This sounds delicious! I often give my daughter cinnamon 'lattes', I don't know why I didn't think to make a non-caffeine version of one of my favorite fall drinks for her!

    I find Starbucks pumpkin lattes way too sweet, but I love Dilworth coffee's pumpkin latte. They don't use the syrup, instead they make the spice blend themselves. It is fantastic!

    Reply
  31. Meg says

    October 11, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    This recipe looks delicious! I want to try it just for the fact that I won't have to pay starbucks prices for a delicious warm fall drink!

    Reply
  32. Sarah Forgrave says

    October 11, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    This sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  33. Ursula says

    October 11, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    This looks amazing! I despise paying soo much for Starbucks pumpkin spice latte's but they are so yummy. I am trying this tonight!

    Reply
  34. Chelsea says

    October 11, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    WOAH. You are making my LIFE right now!!! I'm obsessed with pumpkin, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin bread...pumpkin anything!

    Reply
  35. Hilary says

    October 11, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    Almost every day I want to write on here about how much I LOVE this website and your recipes (Been eating real since the Yahoo article was published). This one did it for me. We are going to the pumpkin patch today and can't wait to get home and make this for my little one!! (And myself, of course!)

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 13, 2011 at 1:34 am

      Loved hearing that! :)

      Reply
  36. Kim L. says

    October 11, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    Consider dehydrating your pumpkins & having the powder available all year.

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      October 25, 2011 at 4:41 pm

      There is no pumpkin in pumpkin pie spice.

      Reply
  37. Texanerin says

    October 11, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    I love this idea! I'm seeing so much fuss about the Starbuck's pumpkin whatever and I feel left out because I don't drink coffee. I already add pumpkin pie spice to my white hot chocolate, but that comes from a mix, which is definitely not healthy. And on top of that I add extra sugar. I'll try your version soon!

    Reply
  38. Ashley says

    October 11, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    I'll have to try this. I'm not really a fan of flavored lattes, but I'll get a mocha on occasion, so perhaps this will put me on the pumpkin spice bandwagon. ;0)

    Reply
  39. Loy Gross says

    October 11, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    This qualifies as a latte in most coffee bars and it is not far from a hot chai tea either. Just add ginger and a tea bag. Sounds yummy; can't wait to try it :)

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 18, 2011 at 4:43 pm

      My understanding was that the addition of the chocolate (cocoa/cacao) turns it into a mocha...I am certainly no expert though!

      Reply
      • Wendy says

        October 25, 2011 at 4:40 pm

        "Mocha" is a mix of coffee and chocolate, so if you have a cup of coffee, you make mocha by adding chocolate. And if you have a cup of hot chocolate, you make mocha by adding... coffee! :)

  40. amanda mckim says

    October 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    I love you guys!

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      October 18, 2011 at 4:42 pm

      :)

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome!


Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

Learn More

Popular

  • Chicken sausage pasta.
    Chicken Sausage Pasta
  • Steak with veggies.
    Steak with Veggies
  • Sausage and potatoes.
    Sausage and Potatoes
  • Spaghetti squash with meat sauce.
    Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

Seasonal

  • Spaghetti squash boats.
    Spaghetti Squash Boats
  • How to cook spaghetti squash.
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
  • Air fryer popcorn chicken.
    Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
  • Healthy blueberry pancakes.
    Healthy Blueberry Pancakes

Footer

↑ back to top

Browse

  • Cookbooks
  • Meal Plans
  • Recipes
  • Favorite Products
  • Free Downloads

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Blog

  • About
  • Comment Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner With Us
  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 100 Days of Real Food