Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients

For the pumpkin spice syrup:

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 cinnamon sticks or 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3 Tbsp canned pumpkin

To make the Pumpkin Spice Latte:

• 1/3 cup very strongly brewed coffee
• 6 oz milk, very hot
• 3 Tbsp pumpkin spice syrup, or amount as desired (depending on your preference)
• 1 Tbsp sugar, to taste
• Whipped cream, optional
• Salted caramel sauce, optional

Directions

1. To make the syrup: Cook sugar and water in a small pot over medium heat until the mixture is completely clear. Whisk in the remaining ingredients and continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not allow mixture to come to a boil. Allow mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes.
2. Strain syrup through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a large jar or bottle of your choice. (Depending on what kind of strainer is being used, the mixture may be needed to be strained more than once.) 
3. Yields about 2 cups syrup. It can now be stored in the fridge.
4. To make the latte: Combine strongly-brewed coffee with the milk, and stir in pumpkin spice syrup and sugar to taste.
5. Top with whipped cream and salted caramel sauce, if desired.