Cinnamon Tea Recipe with Cinnamon Bark

Cinnamon Tea is a warm and soothing drink made with only 3 ingredients. You only need water, cinnamon bark, and some sugar or honey to enjoy this classic drink!

Hello Reader! I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. If this recipe is from your country and I have made a mistake or you have suggestions for how to make it more authentic, I would love to hear! Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. It is always my intention to pay homage and respect to each cultural dish that I cook. Thanks for reading!

Recipe Origins

Armenia was one of the first countries that I cooked from around the world. So back in 2018, when I first published this post, I originally had gotten the recipe from The Complete Middle Eastern Cookbook by Tess Mallos. 

While I now have a few more recipes on my site that better represent Armenia, including Vermicelli Rice and Matiabour (Tortellini) Soup, this Cinnamon Tea has remained a favorite of mine as well. I can’t wait for you to try it!   

Why Make this Recipe

1. No Straining: No straining required with this tea! The cinnamon sticks are easy to remove, but you can also serve them up right in your glass! (You may have to strain if any small pieces fall off of your cinnamon bark, but this usually does not happen to me).
2. Pantry Staples: You most likely already have cinnamon sticks in your home, so you can whip this tea up any time.
3. Indulgent but Healthy: The taste of cinnamon already reminds me of dessert, so when I add a bit of honey to this drink it feels indulgent but is actually very healthy.

What Do I Need to Make this Recipe? 

Ingredients 

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

1. Water: I add hot water to the pot so that it comes to a boil faster. 
2. Cinnamon Sticks: See below for more info. 
3. Sweetener: The sweetener is not a necessity, but you can add it to your individual cup if you’d like to. Granulated white sugar or local honey are two great options. 

What Type of Cinnamon Should I Use? 

There are 2 different kinds of cinnamon to choose from: 

1. Cassia Cinnamon: Almost all cinnamon found in supermarkets is of the Cassia variety. This variety of cinnamon originated in China, and has since become the most commonly used variety of cinnamon. It is cheap and has a dark brown-red color, which leads to the gorgeous amber color of this drink! 
2. Ceylon Cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon originates in Sri Lanka and parts of India. The texture is a bit softer than Cassia cinnamon, and it is far more expensive.  

Please Note: 

Cassia cinnamon can be toxic if eaten too much. It contains noticeable amounts of Coumarin, which is toxic in large doses. 

In fact, even 1-2 teaspoons a day of Cassia cinnamon can cause an overdose, leading to liver harm or risk of cancer. 

If you are going to consume this cinnamon tea frequently, consider using ceylon cinnamon instead!

Source. Please note, I am not a doctor and any information on this topic is not medical advice.

Tools

1. Pot: Use a medium-large pot that can hold at least 3 cups of water
2. Lid
3. Teacups to Serve

How to Make this Recipe

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Use a Pot on the Stove

Fill a pot with water, drop in the cinnamon sticks and place on the stove. 

Cover, bring to a boil, then simmer for about 15 minutes.

Pour into glasses with cinnamon sticks. Serve with sugar or honey if desired. Enjoy! 

Use a Tea Kettle

If you are using a tea kettle, heat the water up using the kettle. 

Once the water is hot, add the cinnamon sticks and allow them to steep for 10 minutes before serving. 

Pour into glasses with cinnamon sticks. Serve with sugar or honey if desired. Enjoy! 

Expert Tips

• The more cinnamon sticks you use, the stronger your tea will be. I found what I prefer to be a good ratio, but you can always add more or less depending on your preference! 
• This recipe is great at soothing a sore throat! 
• Do not use ground cinnamon to try making this recipe. 
• For even more flavor, break up the cinnamon sticks into pieces before steeping. 

Additions and Substitutions

Make it Creamy 

If you’d like to add a little milk or cream to your tea, you can absolutely do so! This will give you a creamier tea, which can have a calming effect.

Iced Cinnamon Tea

Iced Tea is delicious on a warm day or as a way to wake yourself up in the morning. 

If you’d like to add ice to your drink, you can do this as well! For this option, I would recommend making the tea ahead of time and storing it in the fridge so it is already cool when you want to enjoy it. 

Add More Flavors

If you want to add some extra flavor to your tea, try these adaptations: 

• Black Tea Bags: Soak the cinnamon bark alongside black tea bags. This will give you both flavors in one drink to add a bit more dimension to your beverage.
• Lemon Juice: Great if you want a fresher flavor 
• Nutmeg: Try adding a small pinch of nutmeg to your tea 
• Ginger: For a spicy kick (or try this Ginger Drink recipe) 

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is great to sip on, especially during cold and flu season! Here are a few reasons why it could be good for your health: 

• Blood Sugar Control for those with diabetes
• Could be used to help block Tau Buildup, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s Disease 
• Loaded with antioxidants
• A potential positive effect on reducing the risk of heart disease

Please note, I am not a doctor. These points are based off of articles written by professionals, linked above and are not medical advice. For more information on the health benefits of Cinnamon Tea, visit this page.

Recipe FAQs

Did you enjoy this Cinnamon Tea Recipe? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you: 

• Hibiscus Tea with Strawberries and Basil
• Butter Tea from Bhutan
• Pineapple Coconut Agua Fresca
• Iced Coffee Recipe from Southeast Asia
• 9 Drink Recipes from Around the World
• Japanese Milk Tea