Description
A cozy and aromatic Vanilla Cinnamon Milk Tea recipe that blends warm spices and creamy milk for a delightful beverage. Perfect for a comforting drink served hot or chilled over ice, with optional black tea for a caffeine boost and sweetened to your taste.
Ingredients
Liquids
- 2 cups Water
- 2 cups Milk (dairy or plant-based)
Spices and Flavorings
- 4 Cinnamon sticks or 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 4 Vanilla beans, split and scraped or 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 Star anises (optional)
Tea
- 4 tsp Loose-leaf black tea or 4 black tea bags (optional)
Sweetener
- Honey or other sweetener of choice (sugar or sugar substitute)
Instructions
- Boil Water: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small pot to prepare for steeping the spices.
- Add Spices: If using cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans, add them to the boiled water, turn off the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and steep. Add star anises now if using. For ground cinnamon and vanilla extract, add directly to the pot but skip steeping.
- Steep Spices: Let the spices and vanilla infuse in the hot water for about 10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add Tea (Optional): Add the loose-leaf or tea bags and brew for an additional 3-5 minutes depending on desired strength.
- Heat Milk: Warm the milk in a separate pot until it is warm but not boiling, to avoid scalding.
- Combine Infusion and Milk: Strain the cinnamon vanilla infusion into the warm milk to combine the flavors thoroughly.
- Sweeten: Add honey or your preferred sweetener and stir well to dissolve.
- Serve: Enjoy the milk tea hot or allow it to cool and serve over ice for a refreshing cold drink.
Notes
- You can adjust sweetness according to your preference by varying the amount and type of sweetener.
- Using vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks provides a richer flavor compared to extracts and ground spices.
- The black tea is optional if you prefer a caffeine-free beverage.
- For a vegan version, choose plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or soy milk.
- This drink can be served hot or chilled over ice for different seasonal enjoyment.
