One of my favorite flavors is pumpkin pie, and this time of year Starbucks brings out their pumpkin latte. I'll never buy one there, but will make my own.

I got this from someone's food blog. Note how much sugar it has. The thing about buying this stuff prepared at the coffee shop is you don't think about all that sugar, you just think about how good it tastes.

1 cup strong coffee
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tablespoons half & half cream
1 teaspoon granulated white sugar, or more to taste
whipped cream, optional
ground nutmeg

In a glass measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl, whisk together milk, pumpkin, brown sugar, spice and vanilla. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes- watch closely and remove it from the microwave when the milk is hot and frothy.

2. Pour the pumpkin milk into a tall mug or glass. Add hot coffee. Pour in the cream. Add a teaspoon of sugar. Stir, and taste. Add more sugar, if desired.

3. Optional, but oh so good... add whipped cream on top and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Serve immediately!
Tips:

*Feel free to lighten up the recipe by using nonfat milk and fat-free half & half. It won't be as rich, but it will still give you that yummy pumpkin latte flavor.

*If you don't have pumpkin pie spice in your collection of spices, make your own! Mix equal parts of cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg- and measure from there.

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Fall is hot cider time. An easy recipe is to add brown sugar and a cinnamon stick to the cider, heat it, and drink.

Here's hot cider with booze:

2 cups freshly brewed strong black tea
1/3 cup sugar
4 cups apple cider, heated
1 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
1/2 cup brandy
1 lemon, sliced

In a heatproof pitcher stir together the tea, sugar, cider, orange juice, brandy and lemon slices, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and serve immediately.

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This recipe is from Gourmet magazine, so it must be really good. It'd taste like hot eggnog.

Hot Rum and Milk Punch (Hot Hoppelpoppel)

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup light rum
Freshly grated nutmeg to taste

In a saucepan combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and simmer the syrup for 5 minutes. In a bowl, beat the egg yolks with the milk and add the syrup in a stream, whisking. In the pan cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly (175 to 180 degrees on a candy thermometer), being careful not to let it boil. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rum. Divide the punch among 4 heatproof punch cups and sprinkle each serving with the grated nutmeg.

Here's another drink. It's not hot, but it sure sounds good.

Kahlua Hummer

6 ounces (3/4 cup) Kahlua
6 ounces (3/4 cup) light rum
2 1/2 cups French vanilla ice cream

For a 32 ounce pitcher, blend 6 ounces Kahlua, 6 ounces light rum, and 2 1/2 cups French vanilla ice cream. For individual serving, use 1 ounce Kahlua, 1 ounce light rum and 1/2 cup ice cream.