My biggest pet peeves in life: companies that replace letter the letter “c” with the letter “k” unnecessarily (why can’t Krispy Kookies just be Crispy Cookies?!) and foods that that are named after something that isn’t even in the ingredients list. Among the top of that list? Perogy pizza (my Ukrainian heritage just says no) and pumpkin spice lattes. I love pumpkin, but how rude that we exploit it’s name for such a purpose???? Is no one else outraged by this?!?!

And so, out of a love for the real, authentic pumpkin, I needed to make a drink that actually contains pumpkin. Because quite honestly, pumpkin is delicious and oh-so-Autumn.

Call me lazy, but there’s no way I’m pulling out my stand mixer to whip cream for a single drink. Nobody got time for that! Instead, I throw these ingredients into a cocktail shaker (or a mason jar) and shake out my frustrations over all the fake pumpkin spice lattes of the world and the hair salons named “Kurly Kuts” and grunge bands called “Kool Kats”. Trust me, it helps.

Recipe

Pumpkin Cream Americano

Ingredients

2 tbsp whipping cream
2 tbsp milk
1 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 tsp maple sugar
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Splash of vanilla
Americano or cup of strong coffee (iced if you’d like the cold version!)
Maple syrup, to taste

Directions

Combine the whipping cream, milk, pumpkin puree, maple sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla in a mason jar with a tight fitting lid, or a cocktail shaker. If you are making this to top a cold brew, add a 1/4 cup of ice.
Shake well for 30-60 seconds. Don’t overshake it, or it will turn into butter! It will look like very thick cream when it’s done.
If you like your coffee sweet, add maple syrup to your coffee. Slowly pour the cream on top of your coffee or Americano, add a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice and enjoy!