Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea

There’s a special kind of comfort that comes from a steaming cup of Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea. The aroma of warm cinnamon swirling with the sweet, floral fragrance of vanilla creates an experience that feels like wrapping yourself in your favorite blanket. This drink is more than just a beverage—it’s a moment of pause in a busy day, a way to ground yourself in familiar flavors that soothe and delight.

Part of what makes this recipe so appealing is its versatility. You can make it rich and creamy with whole dairy milk, or keep it light and dairy-free by using oat, almond, or soy milk. You also get to decide whether to include black tea for a caffeine boost or leave it out for a purely caffeine-free comfort drink. This flexibility makes Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea a staple recipe that adapts to your mood, dietary needs, and the season.

Another reason this drink deserves a spot in your regular rotation is how simple it is to prepare. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can create something that tastes as indulgent as a café drink—without the price tag or leaving your kitchen. Whether you enjoy it hot during cold weather or over ice on a sunny afternoon, it’s the perfect pick-me-up.

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 4 cinnamon sticks or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 vanilla beans, split and scraped (or 4 teaspoons vanilla extract)
• 2 star anises (optional)
• 4 teaspoons loose-leaf black tea or 4 black tea bags (optional)
• Honey or other sweetener of choice (sugar or a sugar substitute)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the cinnamon and vanilla infusion
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small pot. If using cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans, add them along with star anise if desired. Turn off the heat and cover to let the flavors steep.

Step 2: Steep the spices
Allow the cinnamon and vanilla to steep in the hot water for about 10 minutes. If using ground cinnamon and vanilla extract, skip the steeping and add them directly to the milk later.

Step 3: Brew the tea (optional)
Add loose-leaf black tea or tea bags to the infusion after steeping the spices. Brew for 3–5 minutes depending on your taste preference, then remove the tea.

Step 4: Warm the milk
In a separate pot, gently heat the milk until warm but not boiling. For plant-based milk, heat slowly to maintain a smooth texture.

Step 5: Combine infusion with milk
Strain the infusion into the pot of warm milk. If using ground cinnamon and vanilla extract, add them now. Stir well to blend flavors.

Step 6: Sweeten to taste
Add your chosen sweetener to the warm milk tea, stirring until dissolved.

Step 7: Serve hot or iced
Pour into mugs for a hot drink, or let cool slightly and serve over ice for a refreshing version.

Recipe Tips & Variations

• Extra Creaminess: Add a splash of heavy cream or condensed milk for a luxurious texture.
• Spice Boost: Try adding nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger for extra warmth and depth.
• Caffeine-Free Option: Skip the tea and focus purely on the cinnamon-vanilla milk infusion.
• Sweetness Control: Adjust honey or sugar to taste, or use maple syrup for a richer sweetness.
• Iced Version Upgrade: For iced milk tea, make the infusion stronger so the flavor holds up when poured over ice.

Serving Suggestions

Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea pairs wonderfully with light pastries, butter cookies, or scones for a classic afternoon tea setup. For breakfast, serve it alongside oatmeal, toast, or fruit for a cozy start to your day. In the summer, try serving it chilled in a tall glass with whipped cream on top for a dessert-like treat.

You can also turn this into a festive holiday drink by adding a cinnamon stick as a stirrer or topping the foam with a light dusting of cocoa powder. The versatility of this drink makes it a beautiful choice for brunch gatherings, cozy nights in, or as an elegant after-dinner beverage.

Storage & Reheating

If you make a larger batch, store any leftover milk tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, store without ice to avoid dilution. When reheating, warm it gently over low heat on the stove or in the microwave at 50% power, stirring occasionally to keep it smooth. Avoid boiling during reheating, as this can change the texture of the milk.

For iced milk tea, you can chill the prepared infusion separately and add milk just before serving to maintain freshness and flavor.

Health Benefits

While Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea is primarily a comfort drink, it does offer a few wellness perks. Cinnamon contains antioxidants and compounds that may help regulate blood sugar levels. Vanilla has natural calming properties that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. If you opt for black tea, you’ll get a small boost of caffeine and additional antioxidants, which can support heart health.

If you use plant-based milk, you can also increase the nutritional profile with added vitamins like calcium and vitamin D, depending on the brand. And if you choose honey as your sweetener, you’ll get a natural source of antibacterial properties along with a subtle floral sweetness.

Final Thoughts

Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea is the perfect example of how simple ingredients can create a rich, satisfying drink. The gentle sweetness of vanilla, the warmth of cinnamon, and the creaminess of milk blend together into a beverage that feels indulgent without being complicated.

Its adaptability means you can tailor it to your exact preferences—hot or iced, caffeinated or caffeine-free, lightly sweetened or rich and decadent. It’s a recipe that fits seamlessly into your routine, whether you’re looking for a morning pick-me-up or an evening wind-down drink.

So the next time you’re craving something that’s equal parts comforting and flavorful, skip the coffee shop and make this Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea at home. Once you try it, you might find it becoming one of your go-to recipes, ready to warm your hands on cold days or cool you down in the heat of summer.

The Goods

Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea

We appreciate you taking the time to rate!

No ratings yet

Make cozy Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea at home with this easy recipe. Warm cinnamon, fragrant vanilla, and creamy milk come together in a comforting drink that’s perfect hot or iced.

Course Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine American

Recipes

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk dairy or plant-based
• 4 cinnamon sticks or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 vanilla beans split and scraped (or 4 teaspoons vanilla extract)
• 2 star anises optional
• 4 teaspoons loose-leaf black tea or 4 black tea bags optional
• Honey or other sweetener of choice sugar or a sugar substitute

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the cinnamon and vanilla infusion

• Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small pot. If using cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans, add them along with star anise if desired. Turn off the heat and cover to let the flavors steep.

Step 2: Steep the spices

• Allow the cinnamon and vanilla to steep in the hot water for about 10 minutes. If using ground cinnamon and vanilla extract, skip the steeping and add them directly to the milk later.

Step 3: Brew the tea (optional)

• Add loose-leaf black tea or tea bags to the infusion after steeping the spices. Brew for 3–5 minutes depending on your taste preference, then remove the tea.

Step 4: Warm the milk

• In a separate pot, gently heat the milk until warm but not boiling. For plant-based milk, heat slowly to maintain a smooth texture.

Step 5: Combine infusion with milk

• Strain the infusion into the pot of warm milk. If using ground cinnamon and vanilla extract, add them now. Stir well to blend flavors.

Step 6: Sweeten to taste

• Add your chosen sweetener to the warm milk tea, stirring until dissolved.

Step 7: Serve hot or iced

• Pour into mugs for a hot drink, or let cool slightly and serve over ice for a refreshing version.