3 Fall Coffee Drinks to Make at Home

There’s something about fall that makes coffee feel a little more special. Cooler mornings, changing leaves, cozy weekends, and suddenly your everyday cup of coffee is begging for a little cinnamon, maple, pumpkin, or caramel apple.

The good news? You don’t need to spend $6-8 at a coffee shop every time you want a seasonal drink. With Elo Coffee, a few simple ingredients, and a couple of coffee shop style syrups, you can create some incredible fall drinks right at home. Once you have the ingredients on hand, you’ll be able to make them again and again for a fraction of the cost.

Here are 3 fall drinks we’re loving right now

Cafe Míel

Simple. Cozy. And one of the easiest specialty drinks you can make at home with ingredients you likely have on hand already!

A traditional Cafe Míel combines espresso, honey, cinnamon, and steamed milk. The honey gives it a natural sweetness while the cinnamon brings all the cozy fall vibes without overpowering the coffee.

What you’ll need:

• 2 shots Elo espresso

• 1 tbsp honey (adjust to preferred sweetness)

• ¼ tsp cinnamon, plus more for topping

• 8-10 oz steamed milk of choice
  

How to make it:

1. Add the honey and cinnamon to your mug.
2. Pull two shots of espresso directly over the honey and stir until everything is completely incorporated.
3. Pour in your steamed milk and finish with a light dusting of cinnamon.

Nutty Maple Pumpkin Spice Latte

This is definitely a Meade family favorite!

Rather than reaching for a standard pumpkin-flavored syrup, we wanted something made with real pumpkin and real maple syrup. We started with a homemade maple pumpkin sauce, then added a touch of hazelnut to give this drink a warm, nutty finish.

The result? Fall in a cup.

Homemade Maple Pumpkin Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup 100% pumpkin puree

• ¾ cup pure maple syrup

• ½ cup heavy cream (or your favorite dairy-free alternative)

• ¼ cup water

• 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp sea salt

Directions:

1. Combine the pumpkin, maple syrup, heavy cream, water, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a small saucepan.
2. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking until smooth.
3. Bring it to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Avoid bringing it to a hard boil.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
5. Allow the sauce to cool completely, then transfer it to a sealed jar or squeeze bottle and refrigerate.
6. Shake or stir before using.
7. Storage: Keep refrigerated and use within approximately 5-7 days.

Once your homemade Maple Pumpkin Sauce is prepared (spending a few extra minutes making this will be well worth your time), you’re ready to make your Nutty Maple Pumpkin Spice Latte.

What you’ll need:

• 2 shots Elo espresso

• 1-1.5 oz homemade Maple Pumpkin Sauce (depending on how sweet you like your drinks!)

• 1 pump hazelnut syrup

• 8-10 oz steamed milk of choice

• Optional: pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon for topping

Directions:

1. Add the pumpkin sauce and hazelnut syrup to your mug.
2. Pull 2 shots of espresso over the mixture and stir thoroughly.
3. Add steamed milk and finish with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Spiced Caramel Apple Butter Latte

Apple and caramel are an underrated coffee combination, and this drink tastes like a trip to the apple orchard in latte form!

We’ve been using Monin Caramel Apple Butter Syrup along with a little Monin Caramel Sauce to create this one.

And while it’s fantastic hot, this drink may be even better iced.

What you’ll need:

• 2 shots Elo espresso

• ½ - 1 oz Caramel Apple Butter Syrup (depending on how sweet you like your drinks!)

• ½ oz caramel sauce

• 8-10 oz milk of choice

• Optional: cinnamon

Hot version:

1. Add the Caramel Apple Butter Syrup and Caramel Sauce to your mug.
2. Pull your espresso over the syrups and stir until combined.
3. Add steamed milk and finish with a small sprinkle of cinnamon.

Iced version:

1. Add the Caramel Apple Butter Syrup and Caramel Sauce to a small 4-6 oz cup.
2. Pull your espresso into the same cup, over the flavors and stir until well combined.
3. Fill an 12-16 oz glass with ice.
4. Pour the espresso and flavoring mixture over the ice in the glass.
5. Add milk of choice, and add more ice to your liking.

What if I don't have an espresso machine?

We love using our Elo Espresso Roast for these drinks, especially if you have an at-home espresso machine. 

But here’s something important: You don’t have to use our Espresso Roast, and you don’t even need an espresso machine. All of our Elo coffees can be dialed in and pulled through an espresso machine, so feel free to experiment with the coffee you already love.

And if you’re making these without an espresso machine, simply brew your coffee stronger than normal. A concentrated pour-over, AeroPress, French press, moka pot, or even a strong drip coffee can make an incredible homemade latte.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s making coffee you love.

Grab your favorite Elo roast, pick a recipe and make something good this fall.