Cinnamon Tea Recipe

Fall is in the air and that means one thing – time to break out the cinnamon tea! There’s nothing like a warm, delicious cup of cinnamon tea on a chilly autumn day. This cinnamon tea recipe is exactly what you are looking for– warm, cozy, a bit spicy, and perfectly customizable to your tastes!

Looking for more cinnamon-inspired tea? Try this Red Hot Cinnamon Citrus Tea!

What is Cinnamon Tea?

Cinnamon tea is a fragrant, flavorful, health-boosting beverage made by steeping cinnamon bark or ground cinnamon in hot water. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and as a flavoring agent in food and drink. Cinnamon is an ancient spice with a long history of use in traditional medicine. It’s rich in antioxidants and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and blood sugar-lowering properties. (source)

While cinnamon tea is caffeine-free by itself, it can be enjoyed on its own or combined with other teas, such as black tea or green tea. It’s also a popular flavor for adding to coffee and other beverages.

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Where does Cinnamon come from?

Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the inner bark of trees in the genus Cinnamomum and is native to Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Cinnamon we use in stick or powder form is made by stripping the bark from cinnamon trees. The bark is then dried and ground into a powder. Cinnamon sticks are made by cutting the dried bark into thin strips. Cinnamon tea can be made with either cinnamon powder or cinnamon sticks.

Two Main types of Cinnamon: Ceylon and Cassia

There are two types of cinnamon that are commonly used in Cinnamon Tea, Ceylon Cinnamon and Cassia Cinnamon. Ceylon Cinnamon is considered to be the “true cinnamon” while Cassia Cinnamon is a less expensive alternative. Both types of cinnamon can be used to make delicious and fragrant Cinnamon Tea. No matter which type of Cinnamon Tea you choose to sip, you’re sure to enjoy the fragrant and flavorful beverage!

Ceylon

Cinnamon Tea made with Ceylon Cinnamon has a delicate and sweet flavor that is perfect for sipping on a cold winter day. This type of Cinnamon Tea is also said to have many health benefits including boosting metabolism, aiding in digestion, and reducing inflammation. (source)

Cassia

Cassia Cinnamon has a stronger flavor than Ceylon Cinnamon and is often used in baking recipes. When used in Cinnamon Tea, Cassia Cinnamon gives the beverage a warm and spicy flavor. However, one should be careful with cassia because it contains coumarin, which can be harmful in larger dosages.

Taste

Cinnamon tea tastes like a fall in a cup. Ceylon cinnamon is lighter in color with a sweeter flavor, while cassia cinnamon is darker with a spicier flavor. Both work well in teas, so it’s up to you which one you want to use.

Smell and Fragrance

Cinnamon tea has a warm, inviting smell. When I open a container of cinnamon tea, I’m immediately enveloped in its comforting aroma. The smell of cinnamon always makes me think of cozy firesides and hot cups of cocoa on cold winter nights.

Is Cinnamon Tea Caffeine Free?

Yes! Cinnamon tea is caffeine-free. However, it is often mixed with black and green tea or used as a flavor for coffee all of which contain caffeine.

Powerful Health Benefits of Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon tea is not only fragrant and flavorful, but it also has many health benefits. Cinnamon is a spice that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. If you’re looking for a health-boosting flavor-packed beverage, cinnamon tea is a great choice!

• Cinnamon has been shown to help boost immunity and fight bacterial and fungal infections.
• Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. These qualities make cinnamon tea an excellent choice for those who are trying to improve their digestion or reduce inflammation throughout their body.
• Cinnamon may enhance cognitive function and memory recall, and help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. 
• Cinnamon has traditionally been used as a natural remedy for colds and flu. The antiviral properties in cinnamon may help fight off infection and speed up recovery time.
• Trace elements of potassium and iron.

Source, Source, Source,

Cinnamon Tea Recipe

With its warm, spicy, mildly sweet profile, I prefer to drink it hot, but it is also delicious over ice! Cinnamon tea is the perfect beverage for chilly autumn days.

Cinnamon tea is easy to brew at home using either cinnamon sticks. I recommend starting with about 1 stick per cup of water.

For a single cup of tea,

• One cinnamon stick.
• Heat 1 cup of water on the stove.
• Allow the tea to steep for 6-10 minutes before removing the cinnamon.
• Optional: Pour in cream or milk, and add sugar or sweetener (dietary options, below).
• Enjoy your cup of tea!

Recipe Notes:

• If you find that the flavor of your tea is too strong, you can add a bit of honey or milk to balance it out.
• Use pure, filtered water.
• Purchase quality cinnamon from a reputable source.
• Start with a smaller portion of cinnamon, and scale up to your desired taste!
• Watch the temperature and steep time to avoid bitterness.
• Re-use your cinnamon by doubling the length of time to steep the next batch.
• Try it with your favorite apple-based dessert, like fresh apple pie or apple crisp!
• Garnish with orange slices for more color, flavor, and natural sweetness.
• Make it a cinnamon lemon and ginger tea!

Variations of Cinnamon Tea

Here are a few other ways to enjoy Cinnamon Tea!

Cold Brew Cinnamon Tea

Quick, and easy to make, start by adding 2 cinnamon sticks in 1 cup of cold water and refrigerating for 12 hours, then enjoy in equal parts of water. Serve chilled!

Iced Cinnamon Tea

Another popular way to enjoy many kinds of tea, start by brewing a concentrate using twice the amount of cinnamon as you would for a regular hot cup. Once brewed, allow to cool completely, then add ice and serve. I love to add orange slices to my cinnamon tea. It adds color, and flavor, and is a natural sweetener.

Flavor Customization

Experiment until you find your perfect flavor combination! Try these spices for an extra boost of flavor and fragrance:

• Cloves for a unique depth of flavor.
• Ginger, or ginger root powder for some added zip.
• Allspice, Cardamom, or Anise seeds for stronger flavorful notes.
• Vanilla bean to accent the cinnamon sweetness.
• Nutmeg for more warmth.
• Turmeric for an anti-inflammatory boost.
• Lemon or Orange for a citrusy pop.
• Apple for the perfect fall experience.

Dietary Restrictions?

• Not a fan of milk or cream? Try making your tea with just water, or replace regular milk with nut milk, or oat milk.
• Replace sugar with coconut sugar, honey, stevia, or agave nectar.

Storage

Cinnamon tea is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for several days and then be enjoyed cold.

Enjoying Cinnamon Tea!

Cinnamon tea is a delicious and healthy beverage that can be enjoyed hot or cold. This fragrant and flavorful tea is easy to make at home and can be customized to your taste with the addition of other spices. Cinnamon tea is also packed with health benefits, making it the perfect choice for those looking to improve their overall health. So next time you’re looking for a cozy cup of tea, reach for cinnamon!

More Cinnamon Recipes!

• Cinnamon Milk Tea
• Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

I hope you enjoy this easy cinnamon herbal tea recipe. I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and if you try this recipe, please come back and leave a 5-star review!