If there is one thing my friends know I’m famous for saying is that I don’t really like coffee but I love caffeine. I am just a more productive and kick ass version of myself when caffeinated. When I do drink coffee is is flavored and usually mostly milk, think pumpkin spice and peppermint mocha lattes my seasonal favorites!

Last year Starbucks started offering a pumpkin spice chai latte and I was hooked, it tastes like fall, warm spicy goodness. However, chai tea tends to have less caffeine than coffee to deal with this there is often the option for a dirty chai latte, which means a shot of espresso has been added. Now you have all the flavor and a proper caffeine buzz!

As much as I love the connivance of a trip to Starbucks or how grown-up I feel drinking from one of their iconic to-go cups I really don’t have the room in my budget to be going everyday or even multiple times in a day (I’m you midterms and finals week). Made at home a 16oz drink will cost me roughly $1.50 vs. Starbucks which will run about $4.50. I will also be using my favorite travel mug which keeps my drinks warm or cold depending on the weather or my mood and lets me reduce the amount of waste I make.

Anyway, now on to this tasty fall recipe which I hope helps you get in the mood to have a festive fall!

Dirty Pumpkin Spice Latte!

1 teaspoon Instant espresso

3oz Hot water

6oz Chai tea concentrate

6oz Milk of choice

1/2oz Pumpkin Spice Syrup

1. Mix instant espresso into hot water until fully dissolved, this can be done in serving cup, if the bottom of the cup is wet the instant espresso may stick and not dissolve well.
2. Next heat the chai tea concentrate and the milk, a minute in the microwave should do the trick but you may want to adjust depending on volume and how hot you like your beverage. Then pour into espresso.
3. Add in pumpkin spice syrup, I use about a 1/2oz but you can adjust this to taste! Somedays you just need things a little sweeter!
4. If desired you can dress your drink up with whipped cream, extra spices, or festive sprinkles.
5. Enjoy!

I hope you love this drink as much as I do! I’d love to hear what you think and what you get done with a little help from a warm, cozy, and caffeinated drink this fall!