How to make cinnamon tea - a soothing, warming drink packed with antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds! Perfect for cold & flu season and any chilly day! Caffeine, non-caffeine, and several flavor variations are included below!
Add the cinnamon sticks and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat on the stove.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and allow the cinnamon to steep for 10 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and add the black tea leaves (either in a strainer or directly in the pot to be strained later). Allow the tea to steep for 1-2 minutes, based on how strong you wish the flavor to be.
Transfer the tea either to a teapot or directly to your cup/mug of choice. Give it a quick try and sweeten it to your liking, then enjoy!If you leave the cinnamon sticks in the teapot, the flavor will infuse more over time, becoming more robust with each cupful. If you find it too intense, you can dilute it with a small amount of additional hot water.
If Using a Tea Kettle
To make cinnamon tea using a tea kettle: boil the water first. Then pour it into your teapot and add the cinnamon sticks, allowing them to steep for 10 minutes before serving.
For Cinnamon Iced Tea
After steeping the tea, add any sweetener while it's still warm, then transfer it to the fridge to chill. Then, serve the cinnamon iced tea over ice with an optional squeeze of lemon juice and enjoy!
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Notes
To keep a teapot warm: fill the teapot with boiling water and allow that to sit for several minutes. Then discard that and add the cinnamon tea. This will keep it warmer for longer. If you have one, a tea cozy works wonders, too.
To save leftovers: steeped cinnamon tea can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days and enjoyed iced or reheated.
Adjust the ratio: if you want a stronger Ceylon cinnamon stick tea, either allow it to steep for longer or add more to the water in the first place. You could also break the stick up into pieces. However, that makes it harder to re-use later on.
The color will vary: depending on the steep time and if you've added lemon (which naturally bleaches the tea).
The steeping time: the longer you steep the cinnamon (and the black tea leaves), the stronger the flavor. Strain it once it reaches your desired taste.
What type of cinnamon is best for cinnamon tea? It’s best to use cinnamon sticks rather than powder. There are two main types of cinnamon: Ceylon and Cassia.Cassia is the most common variety in grocery stores and is darker, with a more robust flavor. However, it also contains a high amount of a negative plant compound called "coumarin". Read the FAQs on the blog for more info.Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is known as the "real" or true cinnamon. It's more expensive than cassia cinnamon varieties, but is best for this cinnamon tea recipe and has a milder flavor and lighter color.Check the blog post for flavor variations, ingredients notes, and answers to top FAQs!