Description
Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea is a comforting and aromatic beverage blending the warm flavors of cinnamon and vanilla with robust black tea, finished with creamy milk and a touch of honey for sweetness. Perfect served hot to soothe on chilly days or chilled for a refreshing iced treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Infusion
- 2 cups Water
- 4 sticks Cinnamon (or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon)
- 4 pieces Vanilla beans (split and scraped, or 4 teaspoons vanilla extract)
- 2 pieces Star anise (optional)
- 4 teaspoons Loose-leaf black tea (or 4 black tea bags)
Milk Tea
- 2 cups Milk
- Honey or sweetener (to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients and equipment needed to make the tea infusion and milk tea.
- Boil Water: In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat.
- Add Spices and Vanilla: Add cinnamon sticks and split vanilla beans with scraped seeds (or vanilla extract) to the boiling water. Remove the pot from heat and cover it. Add star anise if using to infuse additional flavor.
- Steep Spices: Let the cinnamon and vanilla mixture steep, covered, for about 10 minutes to extract rich flavors.
- Brew Tea: Add black tea leaves or tea bags to the infusion and steep for an additional 3-5 minutes until the tea reaches desired strength.
- Warm Milk: Meanwhile, gently warm 2 cups of milk in a separate pot on low to medium heat until warm but not boiling to prevent scalding.
- Strain and Combine: Strain the cinnamon vanilla tea infusion through a fine mesh sieve into the warmed milk, ensuring no spice residues remain.
- Sweeten: Stir in honey or your preferred sweetener to taste, mixing gently to dissolve thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the milk tea hot for a cozy drink or allow it to cool and pour over ice for a refreshing iced milk tea. Optionally sprinkle with cinnamon for garnish.
Notes
- Using vanilla beans provides a richer flavor than vanilla extract but both work well.
- Star anise is optional but adds a subtle licorice note that complements the cinnamon and vanilla.
- Adjust steeping time of black tea based on desired strength and bitterness preference.
- Use dairy or any plant-based milk as preferred; almond or oat milk pairs wonderfully with these flavors.
- For a stronger cinnamon flavor, increase the number of cinnamon sticks or use ground cinnamon during steeping.
- Sweeten to taste – honey adds a natural floral sweetness, but agave or maple syrup can be good alternatives.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tea Beverage
Keywords: vanilla cinnamon milk tea, spiced tea, black tea recipe, homemade milk tea, warm beverages, iced tea alternative
