I am on a quest.

For what, you ask?  I am on a quest to find the PERFECT at-home version of a knock-off Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Because I am a coffee junkie.  And this time of year, I only want to eat or drink something if it has pumpkin in it.  Believe me, I am well aware that I’m not alone in this.

Not only am I looking to save some moolah by not going to Starbucks for my pumpkin-goodness fix, but I’m also hoping to cut back on the calories involved in this delicious drink.  Healthy doesn’t always mean tasty, though.  I re-learned this last night with my semi-failed attempt.

INGREDIENTS (makes 2 servings):

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice blend
• 1 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons agave

Mix all of the ingredients together.  I used an immersion blender and whipped it all together really quickly.  And then brewed coffee (over ice because I’m not quite ready for hot drinks yet), made about a 50/50 combination of coffee and pumpkin milk mixture.

It was good…but not quite as uuber delicious as the Starbucks kind.  My main issue was that there was too much spice in it.  I think I’ll cut back on the cinnamon next time around, if I try and tweak this recipe.  Regardless, I got to drink a homemade pumpkin drink last night.  So I won.

Final conclusion?  Round 1: Does NOT pass the test.  Hopefully I can try again this weekend!