Cinnamon Orange Tea: Cozy and Warming Drink
So here’s the thing about Cinnamon Orange Tea – it’s basically magic in a mug. I remember the first time I made this. My house smelled so good that my wife thought I was baking something fancy! Nope, just tea.
The crazy part? It only takes 15 minutes from start to finish. I love how the cinnamon warms you from the inside out while the orange keeps things bright and cheerful. It’s like drinking a cozy sweater, if that makes sense.
My mom used to make something similar when I was sick as a kid, so this recipe feels like a little hug from home. Plus, it’s way cheaper than those coffee shop drinks. Win-win, right? Now I make a big batch every Sunday and sip it all week long. Best habit ever.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Listen, you probably have most of these in your kitchen right now. Peek at the recipe card down below for the exact amounts you’ll need.
- Fresh Oranges: Sweet, juicy fruit that makes your tea taste like sunshine in a cup.
- Cinnamon Sticks: These woody sticks give you real cinnamon flavor, not that dusty powder taste.
- Black Tea Bags: Your regular tea bags work perfectly and give it a nice strong base.
- Fresh Ginger: This knobby root adds a little zing that wakes up your taste buds.
- Honey: Nature’s candy makes everything taste better and smooths out the tartness beautifully.
- Star Anise: Pretty star-shaped spice that’s totally optional but looks fancy in your mug.
How to Make Cinnamon Orange Tea
Okay, here’s the fun part. This whole thing takes maybe fifteen minutes from start to sipping. Let me walk you through it.
Step 1: Prepare the Citrus. Squeeze two oranges into a bowl and slice up the third one into pretty rounds for later.
Step 2: Simmer the Spices. Toss 4 cups water, 2 cinnamon sticks, and your ginger slices into the pot. Let it bubble away for 8 minutes.
Step 3: Steep the Tea. Turn off the heat, drop in 3 tea bags, and just let them sit there for 4 minutes. Set a timer!
Step 4: Add Sweetness. Remove those tea bags, then stir in your orange juice and 3 tablespoons honey until it all blends together nicely.
Step 5: Strain and Serve. Pour everything through your strainer into mugs, pop in a cinnamon stick and orange slice, then drink up while it’s hot.
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Orange Tea
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Trust me on this. Fresh oranges and real cinnamon sticks make such a huge difference. It’s worth the tiny extra effort.
- Don’t Oversteep: Four minutes and you’re done with the tea bags. Any longer and it gets bitter. Nobody wants that!
- Adjust Sweetness: Some oranges are sweeter than others. Start with less honey, taste it, then add more if you want.
- Keep Warm: Got a thermos? Pour any extra in there. It stays hot for hours, which is perfect for sipping all afternoon.
- Double the Batch: Making this for friends? Just double everything. It’s the same amount of work but way more tea to share.
Variations and Substitutions
Want to mix things up? Go for it! This recipe is super flexible, so have fun experimenting with different flavors and ingredients.
- Green Tea Base: Swap black tea for green if you like lighter flavors. It’s more delicate and refreshing.
- Maple Syrup: Pour in maple syrup instead of honey. It gives you this cozy, breakfast-y vibe that’s really nice.
- Add Cloves: Drop in a few cloves for extra spice. Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing, I promise.
- Coconut Milk: Stir some in for a creamy treat. It makes the tea feel like a dessert somehow.
- Decaf Option: Can’t have caffeine? No problem. Just grab decaf tea bags and you’re all set for bedtime sipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cinnamon orange tea ahead of time?
Yep! Make a big batch and stick it in the fridge for up to three days. Heat it back up whenever you want some.
Is this tea healthy?
Yes! It’s packed with good stuff. Orange gives you vitamin C, ginger helps digestion, and cinnamon can balance blood sugar. Way healthier than soda
How do I store leftover cinnamon orange tea?
Put it in a jar with a lid and keep it cold. Just strain out the chunks first so it doesn’t get too strong.
Can I use ground cinnamon instead of sticks?
You can, but use just 1 teaspoon. The flavor’s not quite as good, and you’ll need to strain it really well afterward.
Is this tea caffeinated?
Yeah, black tea has caffeine in it. Grab decaf bags or try rooibos tea if you want to skip the caffeine completely.
Can I add milk to this tea?
Go ahead! A splash of milk or cream makes it super cozy. My sister uses oat milk and loves it.
What type of oranges work best?
Navel oranges are my favorite. Valencia works great, too. Blood oranges look gorgeous and taste a little different in a good way.
How do I make this sugar-free?
Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead. Or honestly, just skip the sweetener. The oranges already make it pretty sweet naturally.
Cinnamon Orange Tea: Cozy and Warming Drink
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 cinnamon sticks plus extra for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger sliced
- 3 black tea bags
- 3 medium oranges (2 for juicing, 1 for slicing)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- star anises (optional)
- orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare citrus: Squeeze juice from two oranges and cut the last one into thin slices for making your mugs look pretty later.
- Simmer spices: Put water, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and star anise in your pot. Let everything bubble gently for about eight minutes total.
- Steep tea: Take the pot off the heat and drop in your tea bags. Wait four minutes, then pull them out quickly.
- Add sweetness: Mix in the orange juice and honey. Stir everything around until the honey disappears completely into the warm liquid.
- Strain and serve: Pour tea through your strainer into mugs. Add a cinnamon stick and orange slice to each one. Drink it hot!
Notes
- Ceylon cinnamon tastes sweeter and milder than the regular kind. Either one works fine, so just use what you have.
- Taste your tea before adding all the honey. Some oranges are really sweet and don’t need as much extra sugar.
- Like ginger? Add more! Don’t like it much? Use less! Start small and adjust based on what you enjoy most.
- This tastes amazing cold, too. Make it, chill it, pour over ice. Suddenly, it’s summer in a glass instead.
- Leftover tea keeps in the fridge for three days. Warm it up again or drink it cold straight from the jar.
