What do you do when it’s past labor day hence pumpkin spice latte daydreams are taking over your brain space, but it also happens to be about 90 degrees in the shade? This was my predicament this past week. Hot drinks just weren’t sounding too good to me, but darn it I wanted to utilize my spicy, pumpkin-y Homemade PSL Syrup! The solution: Pumpkin Spice Over Ice, my friends. It’s cold, creamy, and refreshing, but still satisfies that autumn craving.

Side note: I took both light and dark photos of these Iced Pumpkin Spice Lattes and couldn’t decide which ones I like better, so I’m showing you both. I have just a tiny problem making decisions lately, not sure what that’s all about. Get off my back self-doubt! Anyway these light and dark photos illustrate perfectly the fact that you can enjoy this “coffee” drink any time, day or evening. No jitters, or heart palpitations, no problems sleeping, and no getting up to pee 45 times. Sorry, I got really personal there. But that’s what coffee does to me. And espresso? Don’t even get me started. Thankfully I discovered the world of herbal coffee substitutes. My favorite is Dandy Blend. Its made from roasted barley, rye, chicory root, and dandelion root, and is naturally caffeine free. And it tastes remarkably like coffee! I might even like it more than coffee (and I’m a coffee lover, even if it doesn’t love me back).

 

It’s good hot or cold. The best part about Dandy Blend is that you don’t have to brew it or mix it with hot water and then wait for what feels like forever and a day to let it cool. To make this 5 minute latte you simply add the “coffee” granules to a jar, add PSL syrup and water, shake it, and pour over ice! Then you can fill with a little almond milk, coconut milk, or even a dairy-free creamer (I love using my easy cashew milk creamer).

This dairy free, vegan, and refined sugar free Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte really hits the spot on a warm early fall day (although I’m already envisioning myself shivering under a thick blanket with this icy drink in my hand come winter). The kiddos can even enjoy this one with you and you won’t have to worry about filling them with sugar, artificial ingredients, or caffeine. My daughter loves it!

I’d love to know if you give this a try! Happy warm fall days, friends!

5 Minute Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte – Vegan, Refined Sugar Free, Caffeine Free

Makes 2-4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2-4 Tablespoons of Dandy Blend Instant Herbal Beverage – I use 4 Tbsp  (see notes for substitutions)
• 2-3 Tablespoons of my Easy Pumpkin Spice Syrup for Lattes (see notes for other options)
• 1 + 1/2 cups filtered cool water
• Ice cubes
• 1/2 – 1 cup of almond milk or other plant milk
• optional – a splash of plant-based creamer (see this post for my cashew coffee creamer)
• Sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Add Dandy Blend, water, and PSL syrup to a 16 oz jar with a lid and shake vigorously to combine (alternately you could blend them together in a blender briefly).
2. Fill two glasses with ice (12 oz glasses or smaller) and then fill 2/3 – 3/4 of the way with coffee mixture. Fill nearly to the top with almond milk, then add a splash of creamer (if using) and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Notes:

You’ll probably have extra coffee/PSL mix that you can keep in the jar and store in the fridge for next time.

If you don’t have Dandy Blend, you can use instant coffee but it may not dissolve as easily in the cold water. Or you can just brew a strong cup or two of coffee and then put it in the fridge or freezer to cool. Two shots of espresso can also be substituted for the coffee for a “true” latte.

If you don’t want to make the Pumpkin Spice Syrup then you can always flavor your drink from scratch using a little pumpkin puree, spices, and sweetener and blending it in your blender before serving over ice. Angela from Oh She Glows has a homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe, and Kathy from Happy Healthy Life has a great homemade PSL too. I used to happily make my PSLs from scratch just this way. Using my easy pumpkin spice syrup will save you some time in the long run, though, and makes for a smoother latte I’ve found.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation nor do I receive compensation for mentioning Dandy Blend or Vitacost. I just really love Dandy Blend, and Vitacost has some of the best prices for purchasing it. Hopefully you find the links and advice helpful.