Autumn has arrived. Hallelujah! Finally, I can get a full night's sleep without waking up every half an hour in an overheating ball of sweat. Jumpers and boots are on, and the sliders have been packed away. But for someone living on a budget, like myself, this season can be complicated. 

As well as all the high street shops filling their windows with mustard yellow chunky knits and leopard print, there is another (essential) drain on your bank account this season. You’re all guilty of it. It’s the pumpkin spiced latte. Don’t even try to tell me that you didn’t spend upwards of £30 on these seasonal delights last year. But don’t worry, I’m not here to tell you to give them up.

I’m here to tell you how you can save yourself a fortune by getting your pumpkin spiced latte fix at home!  

Hot drinks are essential to surviving these colder months, and nothing gets you in the mood more than your favourite flavoured latte. Although I’ll be telling you how to make a pumpkin spiced latte at home, the process is the same no matter what syrup you buy. I can already smell the gingerbread sneaking in around December time. 

Firstly, let’s go through the science-y/barista part of a latte. I’m actually a trained barista and know a thing or two about making a latte. In fact, I’m one of those rare few that know exactly what a flat white is and how to make it. Which is why that McDonald’s advert infuriated me so much. 

A latte is essentially a really milky coffee. Unlike a cappuccino, where you would use foamy milk, a latte is made with a steamed silky milk and the tiniest bit of microfoam on the top. You’ll be pleased to know, you can make this kind of milk on the hob at home! Really, it’s as easy as boiling milk. 

Add a cup of milk to a saucepan and slowly warm through. Keep stirring the milk, but never let it come to a boil. Milk can burn very quickly, and when it does you don’t want to be anywhere near it. It genuinely stinks. So keep stirring your milk, as it slowly increases in temperature, and remove from the hob as soon as you get a shiny foamy layer forming on the top.

Hopefully, by this point, you’ve got your favourite mug out. And this is where you will have to spend a little bit of money I’m afraid. In the bottom of the mug, you’ll need to add about 15ml of pumpkin spice syrup. You can find huge bottles of this stuff online for less than a fiver! So it’s not going to break your bank. However, what might break your bank is an espresso machine.

To make a proper latte, you’re going to need an espresso machine. Essentially, using this method you would add the silky smooth milk to the syrup in your mug and pour a single shot of espresso over the top. However, I’m a budget blogger. And I don’t believe in spending hundreds of pounds on a non-essential kitchen appliance.

Instant coffee works great! I know, because I’ve tried. Get your mug, put 15ml of pumpkin spice syrup in the bottom and add a teaspoon of instant coffee. Mix these ingredients together and then pour your milk over the top.  

Tada, you’ve done it. You’ve brought your autumn pumpkin spice mix into your home. Which means you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own bed, in your favourite pyjamas and fluffy socks. Did I mention that one bottle of syrup will make 75 lattes? You’re welcome. 

Thank you so much Natalka aka www.iwanttobuyahouse.co.uk/blog/ for writing today's post! Be sure to check her out on Twitter (@savemoneyblogg), Instagram (@natalkaantoniuk), and Pinterest (@iwanttobuyahouse)!