A simple and invigorating cinnamon tea that can be served cold over ice or in a hot mug as a soothing remedy for colds.
I've always liked the idea of tea more than I actually like tea. Holding a warm mug of tea in the afternoon or before bedtime just sounds so...soothing.
But what can I say, I'm a coffee girl through and through.
However, I have to admit that this homemade cinnamon tea has won me over. It has the warming, naturally sweet flavor of cinnamon without tasting too spicy.
And, it's so easy to make! I like to make large batches, as the tea keeps well in the refrigerator. You can pour a glass over ice, or heat it up for a mug of hot cinnamon tea.
Ingredients
To make cold or hot cinnamon tea, you only need two ingredients:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Water
Cooking Method
You can make cinnamon tea on the stove top or in a pressure cooker. I prefer using my Instant Pot, because the flavor is richer and the tea is ready faster.
Stove Top: Combine water and cinnamon sticks. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat let the tea steep until desired flavor is reached.
Pressure Cooker: Combine water and cinnamon sticks. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, with a natural release.
Add More Flavor
This tea has a subtle, gentle flavor. My kids really like it plain, or they make cinnamon honey tea by adding a drizzle of honey to their mug.
I enjoy adding one or two extra ingredients for even more flavor. Add any of these ingredients after the tea has already brewed.
- Squeeze of lemon or orange juice
- Splash of apple cider vinegar
- Honey, or your favorite sweetener
Cinnamon Iced Tea
The longer I live in a hot climate, the more I have come to enjoy iced tea. It's just the thing when you need a pick-me-up around 3pm, or something refreshing and non-alcoholic in the evening.
First, follow the recipe card below to brew hot cinnamon stick tea. Then store the tea in the refrigerator and pour it over ice before serving.
Cinnamon tea poured over ice is invigorating with a simple, pure flavor. I always add a big squeeze of lemon to brighten the flavor and turn the tea into refreshing lemon cinnamon water. Try topping your glass off with sparkling water to make it extra refreshing.
Hot Cinnamon Tea
This tea is also amazing served warm in a mug drizzled with honey. With every sip you get to smell the soft, spiced aroma of cinnamon. It's soothing and good for the soul.
If you'd like to add caffeine, then drop 2 black tea bigs into the water with the cinnamon sticks before brewing the tea.
A Remedy for Sore Throats and Sniffles
For both kids and adults, cinnamon stick tea can help soothe sore throats and stuffy noses.
Add more healing power by adding one or more of these ingredients to your brewed cinnamon tea:
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Lemon or orange juice
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- Dropper of echinacea or other herbal remedy
You can add these 2 ingredients to the tea before it's brewed. Simply drop them into the water with the cinnamon sticks, then brew the tea.
- A knob of peeled, sliced ginger root
- Chamomile tea bags (try 2 tea bags for every 6 cups of water)
If you want a remedy with more kick to it, try my Winter Elixir made from ginger, turmeric and cinnamon.
You might also enjoy garlic, ginger and lemon tea, which is more savory than sweet. For a cozy treat, try maple syrup coffee.
FAQ About Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon is tree bark from a variety of tropical evergreen tree. Here's an interesting video that shows how cinnamon is harvested.
According to The Spice House, there are over 250 plant species in the cinnamon genus. The main varieties of culinary cinnamon are Ceylon, Cassia and Saigon.
If you're buying cinnamon sticks in an American grocery store, it's most likely Cassia cinnamon.
I use generic cinnamon sticks from the grocery store, which are most likely cassia cinnamon. You can experiment with different types of cinnamon, and see which type you like best.
I've noticed that some grocery store brands of cinnamon sticks have more flavor than others, so if your tea doesn't have enough flavor, this might be why. Buying tea from a spice company usually will get you more flavorful cinnamon sticks, because the quality is higher and they are fresher.
Cinnamon sticks lose most of their flavor after one brewing. However, instead of throwing the sticks out, they can still add a lovely scent to a pot of simmered pot pourri to make your house smell nice.
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Healthy-ish Treats with Tea
📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon tea can be served hot or cold. It's soothing on a cold winter day and refreshing on a hot summer afternoon. You can make this tea on the stove top or in a pressure cooker.Â
This recipe was updated December 15, 2021
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Snacks, Treats & Little Things
- Method: Instant Pot or Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 6 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
Stove-Top
- Bring water to a boil.
- Add cinnamon sticks.
- Turn down the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the cinnamon sticks steep until the desired flavor is reached. You can remove the cinnamon sticks right away, or let the cinnamon sticks steep in the water for up to an hour.Â
Pressure Cooker
- Combine water and cinnamon sticks in an electric pressure cooker (I use an Instant Pot)
- Secure the lid and cook for 5 minutes at high pressure
- Let the pressure release naturally (takes about 20 minutes)
- Remove the cinnamon sticks. Enjoy the hot tea immediately, or store the tea in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.Â
Notes
Once the tea is brewed, it can be served hot or cold. It doesn't taste as good at room temperature.Â
Read the blog post above for additional ingredients that can be added after the tea is brewed. I like adding a squeeze of lemon. You can also add ingredients like honey, orange juice, drops of echinacea, grated ginger or apple cider vinegar.
You can combine cinnamon stick tea with other types of tea by adding 2 tea bags to the water before brewing. An herbal tea like chamomile or caffeinated tea like black tea are both good.Â
Keywords: tea, cinnamon, cinnamon tea,
Angelee
I just learned that cinnamon is a good cure for shingles and any viruses. That recipe was perfect for my friend who has shingles.
Anjali
I had no idea it was so easy to make such a delicious tea from scratch using just cinnamon sticks and water! This hot cup of tea was the perfect pick me up this afternoon!
★★★★★
Vanessa
Such a comforting drink for those winter colds that the kids seem to bring home!
★★★★★
Michelle
I'm a sucker for "spiced" anything. This one checks all my boxes. I love it!
Irina
I have heard about cinnamon tea as a remedy to a sore throat. Thanks for sharing the recipe. It's so in need during wintertime. 🙂
★★★★★
Heather Perine
Came down with a cold last week, and been drinking this every day since! It's heavenly and reminds me of Christmas!
★★★★★
S.
This tea is really easy to make in the Instant Pot and I love the cinnamon flavor.
★★★★★