This Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea is a warm, aromatic beverage that combines the cozy flavors of cinnamon and vanilla with creamy milk and optionally black tea. Perfect for a comforting drink, it can be served hot or iced, and sweetened to your preference for a delightful treat any time of day.
Total Time:25 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
2 cups water
2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
Spices and Flavorings
4 cinnamon sticks or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 vanilla beans (split and scraped) or 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 star anises (optional)
Tea (Optional)
4 teaspoons loose-leaf black tea or 4 black tea bags
Sweetener
Honey or sweetener of choice, to taste
Instructions
Boil the Water: Bring 2 cups of water to a full boil in a small pot to prepare the base for the infusion of cinnamon and vanilla flavors.
Add the Cinnamon and Vanilla: If using cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans, add them to the boiling water, turn off the heat, and cover with a lid to steep. If using ground cinnamon and vanilla extract, add them directly to the hot water without steeping. Optionally, add star anise for extra flavor.
Let It Steep: Allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes to fully extract the spice and vanilla flavors from the ingredients.
Add the Black Tea (Optional): Add 4 teaspoons loose-leaf black tea or 4 tea bags to the infusion and brew for an additional 5 minutes for a stronger tea base. Skip if not using tea.
Heat the Milk: Warm 2 cups of milk gently in a separate pot over low to medium heat until steaming but not boiling to maintain creaminess.
Combine the Infusion and Milk: Strain the cinnamon-vanilla infusion through a fine mesh strainer into the warm milk, stirring to combine and achieve a smooth texture.
Sweeten to Taste: Add honey, sugar, or your preferred sweetener to the milk tea and stir until fully dissolved.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot in mugs for a cozy drink or let cool and pour over ice for a refreshing iced milk tea.
Notes
Use whole cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans for a more subtle, complex flavor or ground cinnamon and vanilla extract for convenience and a stronger taste.
Star anise is optional but adds a unique licorice-like flavor that complements the cinnamon and vanilla.
Plant-based milks such as almond, oat, or coconut milk work well as dairy alternatives to keep the drink creamy.
Adjust the steeping time to make the tea base stronger or milder according to personal preference.
Sweeten with honey for a natural flavor or use sugar substitutes like stevia or erythritol for a sugar-free version.
To avoid curdling, do not boil the milk; warming until steaming is sufficient.
Straining the infusion ensures a smooth, grit-free drink.
