Enjoy a cozy cup of easy cinnamon tea (and all of its health benefits) at home with this quick recipe from scratch using cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon! Just grab two ingredients and a few common kitchen tools to get started.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my spiced apple chai latte, too!
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Origin of Cinnamon Tea
The Ceylon cinnamon I use in this recipe is native to South Asia, specifically, modern day Sri Lanka, India, and Myanmar and spread round the world via trading routes to become a common ingredient in the cuisines of many cultures.
So cinnamon tea is enjoyed in Asian, Caribbean, and Latin cultures, just to name a few. I first enjoyed it as te de canela on vacation in Cabo San Lucas and have been hooked ever since!
Saigon or cassia cinnamon, originating in Vietnam, is also popular because it has more robust flavor, however, I prefer not to use it in tea because it contains higher amounts of a compound called coumarin, which can be toxic if over consumed (NIH).
Health Benefits of Consuming Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon tea has the antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory effects of cinnamon, which are associated with decreased risk for various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes (Healthline and WebMD).
Some ways it can help lower these risks is by supporting healthy blood sugar balance, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels (Healthline). As a woman managing PCOS symptoms and root cause, I can drink to that
Check out all my PCOS-friendly recipes!
Other uses for cinnamon tea range from weight loss to inducing labor and immune support, though these benefits are not backed by the same evidence.
❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Simple - Just two ingredients and minimal effort. You might want to make this every day!
Caffeine Free - I burnt out on coffee during my time as a barista years ago but still love a warm comforting mug of something in the morning or to wind down in the evening. If I'm not enjoying calming golden turmeric milk, this herbal tea delivers every time with no jitters or crash.
Warming Cinnamon Flavor - Wondering what does cinnamon tea taste like? Just like cinnamon and that's it. We'll get into adding other flavors below.
We love cinnamon around here and I use it in so many sweet and savory recipes. Check out my cinnamon matcha drink and cinnamon simple syrup next!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Cinnamon Sticks are the most common options but you can also make cinnamon tea using powder, aka ground cinnamon stick and my recipe has both preparation instructions for you! In either case, be sure to use high quality organic cinnamon.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Tea Leaves - You might opt to add either loose leaf tea or bags for additional flavor and to incorporate some caffeine.
Hot or Iced - Enjoy your spice tea warm and cozy, at room temperature or chilled over ice.
Lemon - Feel free to take your cinnamon tea with lemon or other citrus if you like. Lemon will slightly lighten the tea's color and, of course, add some tartness.
Sweetener - Unsweetened tastes great but if you want to add some sweetness, virtually any of your favorite liquid or granulated sweeteners will work. I personally like to use ginger-infused honey for extra warming flavor or even ginger turmeric honey for an antioxidant boost.
And my easy citrus syrup will add both lemon and sweetness all in one step and keep this tea vegan!
How to Prepare Cinnamon Tea at Home
Step One: If following the recipe with cinnamon sticks, add to a small saucepan with water and bring to a boil.
Step Two: Remove from heat and steep until fragrant and golden in color.
Pro Tip #1: The longer you let the tea steep, the stronger the cinnamon flavor will be!
Pro Tip #2: If using ground cinnamon, bring the water to a boil first then vigorously stir in the cinnamon until dissolved.
Step Three: Remove the cinnamon sticks and strain into a mug to catch any small pieces before enjoying warm.
Pro Tip #3: I like to use a slotted spoon to easily scoop out large solid pieces like cinnamon sticks and a mesh strainer will catch all the smaller bits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cinnamon tea made with just cinnamon and water is caffeine free.
Cinnamon tea can be enjoyed at any time of day since it does not have caffeine.
You can make cinnamon tea up to seven days in advance and store at room temperature or for best results refrigerated. The longer you leave the cinnamon in the tea, the stronger the flavor becomes.
More Favorite Tea Recipes
I hope you'll enjoy a cup of this natural DIY cinnamon tea soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Easy Cinnamon Tea (with Sticks or Powder)
Equipment
- 1 slotted spoon optional
Ingredients
- 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups water
Instructions
With Cinnamon Sticks
- Add cinnamon sticks and water to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring water to a boil then remove from heat, cover, and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Tea should be fragrant, steaming, and a golden amber color.
- Strain out cinnamon sticks and pieces before drinking.
With Ground Cinnamon Powder
- Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Remove from heat and vigorously (and carefully) stir in ground cinnamon until dissolved.
- Let cool for about five minutes before drinking.
Igoria says
when I store cinnamon rea in refrigerator do I leave the cinnamon sticks in there? second question do I have to store in refrigerator or can I leave on the counter sealed Mason jar?
Jazzmine Woodard says
Hi, Igoria! You can leave the cinnamon sticks in or remove them, there's no significant difference when stored properly. I recommend storing the brewed tea sealed and in the refrigerator for the best taste, and to prevent bacterial growth that can occur at room temperature. Hope this helps you.
Helen says
I added honey and used ground Ceylon cinnamon. It was lovely but when I got to the bottom the cinnamon was still at the bottom of the cup even though I had stirred the cinnamon in the boiling water for ages. I will strain it next time but it was really very nice. Thank you for sharing.
Jazzmine Woodard says
Thanks for your note, Helen, and I'm glad you enjoyed this tea! Yes, it sounds like a strainer would make things perfect next time.
Annie says
Making cinnamon tea with ground cinnamon, how much cinnamon do I use in in 10oz cup ? , I love lemon & honey water, cinnamon will add a nice touch 😋
Jazzmine Woodard says
Hi, Annie! You can use the same amount of ground cinnamon as in the recipe card (one teaspoon per 8 ounces) in a 10 ounce cup. Since you're adding lemon and honey, the mug will not quite have 10 ounces of water in it.
Paul cowell says
I crush sticks in the cup and pour boiling water over then drink it after it has cooled then top it up and drink again
Jazzmine Woodard says
Absolutely love that cinnamon sticks are reusable for more than one cup and you've reminded me to add a note about that to the post for those unaware. Thanks for stopping by, Paul!
Krysten says
Such a soothing tea and I love all things cinnamon so this was the perfect recipe for me! Such a comforting tea that was so enjoyable to drink! Definitely will be using this recipe again!
Jen says
Thanks so much for sharing this tea. I’ve been drinking it all week. It’s so warming and soothing.
Marta says
I always keep cinnamon sticks on hand because it's my favorite spice. Using it in this tea was genius. It's a mug of comfort for sure and so easy to make.