How to make Cinnamon Tea 

Learn how to make Cinnamon Tea, the best warm drink with antioxidants for a cozy evening or afternoon. Served hot or iced, this cinnamon tea recipe has endless variations. 

Foraging for wild teas has become my favorite hobby. I love the different flavors and health benefits that each tea provides. For example, elderflower tea is excellent for boosting the immune system, while linden tea induces sweating and relieves pain.

Making spiced teas is another adventure. While you don’t have to search for them in nature, it requires some experimentation and creativity. One can use many different spices and combinations. My favorites are vanilla milk tea and chocolate tea, and lately, I discovered cinnamon tea. As much as I like having a red wine in the evening, I enjoy sipping cinnamon tea. It is a cozy drink with a naturally sweet flavor without tasting too spicy. 

What Is Cinnamon Tea?

Cinnamon tea is a herbal tea made by steeping cinnamon bark, powder in hot water. It has a warm, spicy flavor and a pleasant aroma. Cinnamon tea has many health benefits and is a caffeine-free alternative to traditional teas and coffee. This homemade cinnamon tea is perfect for cold & flu season, with endless variations, including black tea or milk (see below).

it pairs well with air fryer cinnamon rolls for a delightful and comforting treat.

What Type of Cinnamon is best?

Cinnamon s my favorite spice that I use in baking or cooking. There are two main cinnamon varieties: cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon.

Cassia cinnamon is the most common variety in the United States. It is darker in color and stronger in flavor compared to Ceylon cinnamon. However, cassia cinnamon contains higher levels of coumarin, which can harm the liver in large doses.

It is therefore recommended to use Ceylon cinnamon stick, also known as “true cinnamon”. Ceylon cinnamon has a milder and sweeter taste than cassia cinnamon and contains much lower levels of coumarin. 

What Are The Benefits of Cinnamon Tea?

Cinnamon tea offers a range of health benefits due to the compounds found particularly in the inner bark of the cinnamon stick. 

Antioxidant properties.

Cinnamon contains antioxidants that help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can harm cells.

Anti-inflammatory effects.

The compounds found in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help to reduce inflammation in the body and potentially lower the risk of chronic diseases.

Blood sugar control.

It helps regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin resistance. This can be particularly beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

Immune system support.

Cinnamon has antimicrobial and antifungal properties that may help to boost the immune system and protect against infections.

Heart health.

Studies suggest that it may have a beneficial effect on heart health by reducing blood pressure and improving lipid levels.

Cinnamon tea recipe ingredients

Cinnamon Tea is a warm and soothing drink made with only 3 ingredients.

Spice Cinnamon :

You can use either cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon. However, I prefer cinnamon sticks as they give more flavor and aroma to the tea.

Water:

I use filtered tap water. If you have access to a fresh mountain stream, that is even better.

Sweetener (optional)

Enjoy Cinnamon tea alone or add a natural sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or stevia.

How to make Cinnamon Tea

First step – add cinnamon sticks and water to a saucepan.

Fill a small saucepan with water and place it on the stove over high heat. While the water is heating up, break cinnamon sticks into small pieces.

Second step – Let it simmer.

Once the water reaches a boil, add the cinnamon sticks to the saucepan. Reduce the heat to low and let the water and cinnamon mixture simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the tea steep for 5 minutes.

Third step – Strain the mixture.

Use a strainer to remove the cinnamon pieces and pour the liquid into a mug.

Enjoy the warm and comforting flavor of cinnamon tea, or add a taste of honey or milk.

Note: If you don’t have sticks, use ground cinnamon instead. Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the water and let it simmer and steep as directed above.

Flavor variations

Experiment with suggested flavor variations. 

• Adding vanilla extract or a vanilla bean creates a warm and comforting flavor.
• You will create a fruity and sweet flavor with apple slices or apple juice. 
• Adding citruses, lemon or orange slices, orange powder or lemon powder creates a bright and zesty flavor.
• to boost your immunity, add fresh ginger slices or ginger juice.
• you might also like to add cardamom pods to get a slightly sweet flavor.
• Clove buds or clove powder creates a warm and spicy flavor.
• Create a creamy and comforting flavor by adding milk. You can use any milk you like, such as cow’s, almond, or oat.
• Add black tea or earl grey tea for a caffeinated cinnamon tea brew. You can use a tea bag or loose tea.
• Adding espresso and steamed milk creates a Cinnamon latte-like drink with a cinnamon twist.
• Add matcha powder and steamed milk creating a vibrant and energizing Cinnamon Matcha latte with a cinnamon flavor.

Best tips and tricks

• Use fresh, whole cinnamon sticks for the best flavor. Use ground cinnamon powder as a substitute; the taste will be different.
• Use a pot with a lid when steeping the cinnamon sticks in hot water. Cover the pot to prevent the water from evaporating too quickly and to keep all the flavors in.
• For a more robust cinnamon flavor, let the cinnamon sticks steep in the water for a longer.
• If using black tea, choose a strong, bold-flavored tea such as Assam or Darjeeling to complement the cinnamon flavor. If using green tea, choose a light, delicate tea such as jasmine or sencha.
• If you prefer a sweeter tea, add any sweetener to taste. Cinnamon naturally has a sweet flavor, so you may not need much additional sweetener.

When Is the Best Time to Drink Cinnamon Tea?

You can enjoy it at any time of the day. However, some people prefer to drink it morning, and some in the evening. There might be a reason. 

Morning: To start your day as it can help boost your metabolism and energy levels. It can also help regulate blood sugar levels and promote a feeling of fullness, which may help prevent overeating.

After meals: It aid digestion and may help reduce bloating and gas. Additionally, it can help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent a spike in insulin levels after eating.

Before bedtime: This soothing and relaxing beverage to enjoy before bedtime. It can also help regulate blood sugar levels and promote a feeling of fullness, which may help prevent nighttime snacking.

For cinnamon iced tea

I prefer to add a black or green tea bag when making iced version. After steeping the cinnamon sticks, remove the pot from the heat and add the tea bag of green or black tea to steep for 5 minutes until the tea is rich, golden. Strain it and let the tea cool to room temperature.

Once cooled, transfer the tea to a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours or until chilled.

To serve, fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the iced tea over it. Garnish with lemon wedges.

You can also sweeten it with a drizzle of honey or sugar. I always add a big squeeze of lemon to brighten the flavor and turn it into a refreshing drink.

Cinnamon milk tea

Make cinnamon tea late with a splash of your favorite milk.

After straining the tea, heat the milk and tea mixture over low heat until warm. 

Add a bit of honey or sugar to taste and serve warm.

Can you store the cinnamon stick tea?

It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days and enjoyed iced or reheated. You can enjoy it as an iced tea or reheat it when ready.

Does cinnamon tea have caffeine?

This recipe is caffeine-free, but if you use black or green tea in the recipe, it will contain caffeine.