Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea: A Cozy, Aromatic Delight Recipe
Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea is a cozy and aromatic beverage that combines the warmth of cinnamon, the sweetness of vanilla, and the creaminess of milk to create a comforting drink perfect for any season. This versatile recipe allows you to enjoy it hot or iced, with optional black tea for added depth or star anise for an exotic twist. Sweetened to your preference, it’s an inviting treat that balances spice and sweetness beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
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
- 4 teaspoons Loose-leaf black tea or 4 black tea bags (optional)
Sweetener
- Honey or sweetener of choice, to taste
Instructions
- Boil the Water: Begin by bringing 2 cups of water to a full boil in a small pot. This ensures the water is hot enough to extract maximum flavor from the cinnamon and vanilla.
- Add the Cinnamon and Vanilla: If using cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans, add them to the boiling water, then turn off the heat and cover the pot 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 cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans to steep in the hot water for 10 minutes to release their flavors slowly and fully.
- Add the Black Tea (Optional): If you prefer milk tea with a tea base, add 4 teaspoons of loose-leaf black tea or 4 black tea bags now and steep for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your strength preference.
- Heat the Milk: While the infusion is steeping, warm 2 cups of milk in a separate pot over low to medium heat until steaming but not boiling. This preserves the milk’s creamy texture.
- Combine the Infusion and Milk: Strain the cinnamon-vanilla infusion through a fine mesh strainer into the warmed milk, removing all solids. Stir well to combine evenly.
- Sweeten to Taste: Add honey, sugar, or a sugar substitute of your choice to the milk tea and stir until fully dissolved.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot in mugs to enjoy a cozy drink, or cool and pour over ice for a refreshing iced version. Stir gently if iced to blend flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute dairy milk with plant-based milks like almond, oat, or coconut milk as preferred.
- Using cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans yields a more delicate, complex flavor, while ground cinnamon and vanilla extract provide quicker preparation with bolder taste.
- Star anise is optional but adds a subtle licorice note that complements the spices well.
- Adjust steeping time to control the intensity of the flavors.
- Sweetener quantity can be varied to your liking or omitted for an unsweetened version.
- For a stronger tea flavor, steep black tea longer or add more tea leaves.
- Serve iced milk tea with a straw and stir occasionally as ice melts to maintain flavor balance.
Keywords: Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea, Spiced Milk Tea, Cozy Drink, Aromatic Beverage, Hot Milk Tea, Iced Milk Tea, Homemade Milk Tea
