6 Ways to Pumpkin Spice Your Life Up on National Pumpkin Day

Are you as obsessed with pumpkin spice as I am? Turns out there’s not really much pumpkin involved. The “spice” is actually a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Either way, anytime I see pumpkin spice anything on a menu, I just have to order it. Here are a few ways you can pumpkin spice your life up even more – and some of them actually include real pumpkin. It’s perfect for National Pumpkin Day on October 26th.

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6. Pumpkin Pancakes (Griddle Cafe)

Do Pancakes stuffed with pumpkin pie filling and topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar make your eyes tear up with joy? Well, the holidays are officially on at The Griddle Cafe, and a stack of Tis the Season is what you’re looking for.
The Griddle Cafe on Sunset Blvd specializes in insane pancake combinations, and they are extra large and delicious.
The Golden Ticket Griddle Cafe
The Griddle Cafe

5. Pumpkin Spice Shake (HÄAGEN-DAZS)

The Pumpkin Spice Shake from the HÄAGEN-DAZS® Shop at the Grove and The Americana at Brand is like drinking a Pumpkin Pie. What’s the secret? Well, they use real Pumpkin Puree and 10 ounces of Dulce De Leche ice cream.

Get it while you can! You can only taste the season until November 14th.

Pumpkin Spice Shake


4. Pumpkin Muffins (Various)

All the bakeries in Los Angeles are getting into the Pumpkin Spice spirit, with some even offering varietals.

Homeboy Industries has both a Pumpkin Streusel and a Pumpkin Cream Cheese flavor, and every purchase gives back to the mission of the brand – which is to help the formerly incarcerated or ex-gang members redirect their lives. Visit the Homegirl Cafe in Downtown Los Angeles at 130 Bruno St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 to enjoy.

If you don’t mind preservatives and need some fast, Target has Pumpkin Cream Cheese and Pumpkin Spice 4-packs ($6.29), as well as Mini-Cupcakes that are great for groups ($4.49).

Get them delivered with Doordash.

Pumpkin Spice Muffins_Breadblok


3. Pumpkin Pie Cocktails (Your Home)

This recipe comes courtesy of the directors of the L.A. Spirits Awards, Nicolette Teo and Joel Blum, but you don’t need to be a boozy expert to get this recipe right. Feel free to change the suggested spirits – or perhaps even choose an alcohol-free alternative, but be sure to include the pumpkin butter, which gives the cocktail a creamy finish.
2 oz. rye whiskey (or bourbon, aged rum, or even mezcal) – I recommend Spirtless Kentucky 74 if you’re avoiding alcohol and want to recreate the same taste.
3/4 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice 
1/2 oz. spiced honey syrup (see recipe below) 
1 tsp. pumpkin butter (found at most major grocery stores) 
1 egg white 
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and dry shake (without ice) to combine. Add ice and shake again until well-chilled and frothy. Strain into a coupe or martini glass and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
To make spiced honey syrup: 
Combine 3 oz. water and 3 oz. honey in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 whole clove, and 1 star anise and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain. Syrup may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

Pumpkin Pie Cocktail


2. Pumpkin Lattes (Various)

Give Starbucks a rest with these alternatives instead. Enjoy your Pumpkin Latte hot, iced, or frozen from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. My favorite is the hot version which offers a burst of nutmeg and cinnamon that seems to come through best when warmed. Prices begin at $5.35 for a small.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

If you’re looking to save a little money, consider McDonald’s, with featured drinks like their hot Pumpkin Latte ($3.49). The price is almost half as much as the competitors and the taste is actually slightly milder. My only complaint is that you can’t get it in decaf.

Pumpkin Spice Latte McDonalds

Also a must-try is the Pumpkin Pie Latte from Verve Coffee Roasters. It’s an espresso-based drink with pumpkin puree, a mix of warm-based spices, and a garnish of graham cracker crumble ($6).Pumpkin Pie Latte Verve Roasters

Lastly, Destroyer in Culver City has a Pumpkin Spice Latte crafted with pumpkin nectar, Onyx espresso, and spices from Le Sanctuaire. All those fancy ingredients mean the price tag has to match – and it’s $7.

Pumpkin Spice Destroyer
Pumpkin Spice Latte Photo Credit: Destroyer

1. Pumpkin Spice Sugar Printing (Sugar Lab)

Second, only to a Pumpkin Spice Latte is a miniature white chocolate ganache version printed with a 3D Sugar Printer. The chocolates come in the shape of little paper coffee cups with flavors of white chocolate, pumpkin spice, and espresso ganache ($24.99 for 6).

Sugar Lab is a “digital bakery” that produces 3D-printed treats using a patented technology invented by founder Kyle von Hasseln. Right now, they have two new collections for Fall and Halloween, but you can actually request any design you’d like to be printed with granulated sugar.

Sugar Lab offers nationwide shipping and is based out of East Los Angeles. Order your Pumpkin Spice Latte Chocolates here.

Sugar Lab Pumpkin Spice Latte Chocolates
Photo Credit: Sugar Lab



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