Why Make This Recipe

Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea offers a simple yet delightful experience that can warm your soul. This cozy drink combines sweet vanilla with spicy cinnamon, making it perfect for any time of year. Its comforting flavors are not only delicious but also evoke a sense of nostalgia. Whether you’re curling up with a good book or enjoying a break during a busy day, this tea adds a touch of warmth and serenity.

How to Make Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea

Ingredients:

2 cups Water: The base of the drink, water acts as the perfect medium for steeping the cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices. It allows the flavors to infuse and blend together, creating a beautifully aromatic base before adding the milk.
2 cups Milk: Whether you choose dairy milk or a plant-based alternative like almond, oat, or coconut milk, the milk provides the creamy texture that makes this drink so comforting. The milk tempers the heat from the cinnamon and helps create a smooth, velvety texture that coats your mouth with every sip.
4 Cinnamon sticks (or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon): Cinnamon is the star of this drink, adding warmth and spice. You can choose to use whole cinnamon sticks for a more delicate, subtle flavor, or ground cinnamon for a stronger and quicker infusion. Both options work wonderfully, so it comes down to personal preference.
4 Vanilla beans (split and scraped) or 4 teaspoons vanilla extract: The soft, sweet flavor of vanilla is the perfect complement to the cinnamon. If you’re using vanilla beans, split and scrape them to release their natural oils and flavor into the drink. If you prefer the convenience of vanilla extract, it’s a great substitute that will provide a similar flavor.
2 Star anises (optional): Star anise adds an exotic, licorice-like note to the drink, and while it’s not essential, it can give the milk tea an additional layer of depth. If you enjoy bold, spicy flavors, you might want to include it in your brew.
4 teaspoons Loose-leaf black tea or 4 black tea bags (optional): If you prefer your milk tea with a tea base, you can add loose-leaf black tea or tea bags to the mix. The black tea provides an additional layer of complexity and pairs perfectly with the cinnamon and vanilla. However, if you’re more interested in the cinnamon-vanilla flavor, you can skip the tea altogether for a more straightforward, spiced milk drink.
Honey or sweetener of choice: Depending on how sweet you like your drink, you can use honey, sugar, or a sugar substitute like stevia. The sweetness enhances the flavor of the vanilla and balances the spice of the cinnamon, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.

Directions:

Begin by bringing the 2 cups of water to a boil in a small pot. The water will act as the base for your cinnamon and vanilla infusion, so it’s important to bring it to a full boil to properly extract the flavors from the cinnamon and vanilla.
Once the water is boiling, if you’re using cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans, add them to the pot. Turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid to allow the ingredients to steep. If you’re using ground cinnamon and vanilla extract, simply add them directly to the pot and skip the steeping process. You can also add star anise at this point if you’re using it, though this step is optional.
Allow the ingredients to steep in the hot water for about 10 minutes. This will give the cinnamon and vanilla time to infuse into the water, creating a fragrant and flavorful base. If you’ve used cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans, the steeping time helps to extract the essential oils and flavors slowly.
If you prefer your milk tea with a tea base, now is the time to add 4 teaspoons of loose-leaf black tea or 4 black tea bags to the mixture. Let the tea brew for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer your tea. If you’re skipping the tea altogether, simply proceed to the next step without adding it.
While the water and spice mixture is steeping, heat the 2 cups of milk in a separate pot over low to medium heat. You want the milk to be warm, but not boiling. The milk should be steaming, but avoid bringing it to a full boil, as it could curdle and lose its creamy texture.
Once the milk is warm, pour the cinnamon-vanilla infusion through a fine mesh strainer into the pot of warm milk. This helps to remove any solid bits, leaving you with a smooth, flavorful mixture. Stir the milk and infusion together until well combined.
Add your sweetener of choice to taste. You can use honey for a more natural sweetness, or regular sugar if you prefer. For those looking for a sugar-free option, a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol works just as well. Stir the sweetener into the milk tea until it is fully dissolved.
At this point, you can either serve the Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea hot or let it cool down and serve it over ice for a refreshing, iced version. If serving hot, pour the milk tea into mugs and enjoy the cozy warmth. For iced milk tea, pour the mixture over ice in a tall glass and stir gently to combine. The cold temperature brings out a different layer of flavor, making it a perfect drink for warm days.

How to Serve Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea

Serve Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea in your favorite mug to enjoy its warmth and aroma. For iced versions, use a tall glass filled with ice to keep it refreshingly cold. You may also choose to garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick for that extra special touch.

How to Store Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea

If you have leftovers, you can store the milk tea in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Make sure to use an airtight container to keep it fresh. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving, but be cautious not to boil it again.

Tips to Make Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea

Use fresh ingredients whenever possible, especially for the vanilla and cinnamon, to enhance flavor.
Adjust the sweetness to suit your taste by starting with less sweetener and adding more as needed.
If you’re looking for a richer flavor, try using whole milk or cream.
Experiment with different plant-based milks to find your preferred pairing with the spices.

Variation

You can customize your Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea by adding a splash of nutmeg for more warmth or a bit of cardamom for a unique twist. Feel free to experiment with different types of milk to find the combination you love the most.

FAQs

Can I use flavored tea instead of black tea?
Yes, you can use flavored teas like chai or vanilla tea to complement the cinnamon and vanilla flavors.
Is it okay to use canned coconut milk?
Absolutely! Canned coconut milk can add a rich and creamy texture to your tea.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the tea in advance and refrigerate it for later use. Just remember to reheat gently before serving.