If you’re craving something cozy, fragrant, and soothing, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Cinnamon Apple Tea. It’s a simple yet delightfully spiced tea that fills your kitchen with the warm scents of cinnamon and apple—like a homemade hug in a mug!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cozy Comfort: Every sip of Cinnamon Apple Tea wraps you in a blanket of warmth and nostalgia, perfect for chilly afternoons or winding down in the evening.
- Naturally Sweet & Fragrant: Thanks to unfiltered apple cider, cinnamon, and whole spices, this tea is brimming with gentle, layered flavors—no artificial flavors needed!
- Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: You probably have everything you need right in your kitchen, yet the result tastes like something from your favorite café.
- Customizable for Any Mood: From sweetener swaps to creative garnishes, this recipe is wildly versatile and easy to make your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about Cinnamon Apple Tea is how it transforms everyday ingredients into something magical. Each component is there for a reason, whether it’s bringing spice, natural sweetness, or a hint of floral depth. Let’s take a look at what makes up this irresistible mug of comfort!
- Filtered water: The base that lets all those gorgeous apple and spice flavors shine—use fresh, clean water for the best taste.
- Unfiltered fresh pressed apple cider or apple juice: Choose unfiltered for a richer, deeper apple flavor (and a beautiful cloudiness in the cup), but any pure apple juice works just fine.
- Ceylon cinnamon sticks: The star of the show—whole sticks add warmth and gentle spice, infusing the tea with that signature cinnamon note.
- Whole cloves: Just a teaspoon is all you need to lend the tea a subtle depth and lovely aroma.
- Star anise: This pretty spice gives a sweet, gently licorice-y background—optional, but highly recommended.
- Rooibos tea bags: Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free and slightly sweet, making it a cozy base for all those apple and spice flavors.
- Apple slices (for serving, optional): Add a fresh, crisp touch to your mug—and they look gorgeous floating on top!
- Maple syrup or sweetener of choice: Totally customizable; start with a drizzle and add more if you love a sweeter sip.
Variations
One of my favorite things about homemade teas is just how easily you can get creative! Cinnamon Apple Tea is delicious as-is, but feel free to experiment with herbs, spices, or sweeteners to suit your personal tastes or dietary needs.
- Switch Up the Tea Base: Swap rooibos for black tea if you want a subtle caffeine boost, or use chamomile for a calming bedtime treat.
- Spice It Your Way: Toss in a few slices of fresh ginger, a sprinkle of cardamom pods, or even some orange peel for a unique twist.
- Go Sugar-Free: Sweeten with stevia, monk fruit, or simply enjoy the natural apple sweetness for a lighter option.
- Make It Iced: Chill the strained tea and serve over ice for a refreshing summer version!
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Tea
Step 1: Simmer the Spices and Apple
In a medium saucepan, combine the filtered water, apple cider (or juice), cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Bring everything up to a gentle simmer—don’t rush this! Cover and let it bubble away for about 10 minutes so the spices can infuse the apple goodness with their cozy warmth.
Step 2: Steep the Tea
Turn off the heat and pop in your rooibos tea bags. Cover the pan and let them steep for a solid five minutes—this is where your Cinnamon Apple Tea transforms from spiced cider to a true tea, with all those comforting flavors melding together beautifully.
Step 3: Sweeten & Strain
Remove the tea bags and strain out the whole spices. Grab your favorite sweetener—maple syrup is classic here—and stir it in to taste. You control the sweetness, so sample as you go!
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
Pour the warm Cinnamon Apple Tea into mugs. For that picture-perfect finish, float a few thinly sliced apples and pop in a fresh cinnamon stick for stirring. Snuggle up and sip away!
Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon Apple Tea
- Choose Ceylon Cinnamon: If you can find it, Ceylon (true) cinnamon gives a softer, more delicate flavor than the common cassia variety—absolutely worth the search for this tea!
- Don’t Rush the Simmer: Letting your spices and apple cider gently simmer really coaxes out their essential oils, which means a more fragrant, vibrant tea.
- Maple Syrup Magic: Maple syrup adds both sweetness and depth, but be sure to add it after removing from the heat so you keep its rich undertones intact.
- Beautiful Garnishes: Thin apple slices look gorgeous in the mug and infuse each cup with a fresh, fruity touch as you sip.
How to Serve Cinnamon Apple Tea
Garnishes
Presentation is half the fun! I love adding a few thin apple slices to each mug—you’ll get bursts of juicy sweetness as you sip. A cinnamon stick or star anise pod makes every cup look straight out of a café, and they subtly perfume your tea the entire time you’re drinking it.
Side Dishes
This spiced tea shines alongside anything cozy and a little sweet. Think warm scones, flaky apple turnovers, or a handful of spiced nuts for nibbling. For a lighter touch, pair it with oat cookies or crisp biscotti that you can dunk right in your Cinnamon Apple Tea.
Creative Ways to Present
This is one recipe that loves a pretty display! Serve your tea in clear glass mugs to show off the soft amber color and floating apple slices. Try a teapot centerpiece surrounded by cinnamon sticks and autumn leaves, or set up a “tea bar” with honey, maple syrup, and extra garnishes for guests to play with.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), just let the tea cool to room temperature, then transfer to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate. It’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 days, so you can reheat for a quick treat anytime you need a pick-me-up.
Freezing
Surprisingly, Cinnamon Apple Tea freezes well! Pour cooled tea into freezer-safe containers or even ice cube trays. When you’re ready for some cozy flavor, just thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently—you’ll have instant comfort in minutes.
Reheating
Gently reheat the tea on the stovetop over low heat or pop it in the microwave for a quick fix. Just be careful not to boil, as that can mute the vibrant apple and spice notes. Add fresh garnishes just before serving for the best flavor and look!
FAQs
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Can I make Cinnamon Apple Tea without rooibos?
Absolutely! Rooibos adds a lovely, naturally sweet depth, but you can use black tea, green tea, or even omit the tea bags altogether to turn this into a pure apple-spice infusion. Adjust the steeping time if needed based on your tea of choice.
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Can I use ground cinnamon instead of sticks?
Whole cinnamon sticks are best for clear, smooth tea and a gentle flavor, but in a pinch, you can add ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Just be sure to strain the tea well before serving to avoid any grit in your cup.
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Is Cinnamon Apple Tea caffeine-free?
When made with rooibos and no added black tea, this tea is completely caffeine-free—making it a perfect option for a relaxing evening or for little ones who want to sip alongside you.
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How can I make a larger batch for a gathering?
Simply double or triple the ingredients and use a large saucepan or stock pot. You can keep the strained Cinnamon Apple Tea gently heated in a slow cooker, so everyone can help themselves throughout your celebration!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never brewed up a pot of homemade Cinnamon Apple Tea, now’s the perfect time to treat yourself. The aroma alone will have everyone asking what’s simmering! Go ahead and make a cup—you deserve this kind of sweet, spiced comfort. Enjoy every sip, friend!
Print
Cinnamon Apple Tea Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Simmering, Steeping
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Warm up with a comforting cup of Cinnamon Apple Tea, a delightful blend of apple cider, aromatic spices, and rooibos tea. This easy recipe is perfect for cozy evenings or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Apple Tea:
- 2 cups/480ml filtered water
- 1/2 cup/120ml unfiltered fresh pressed apple cider or apple juice
- 2 Ceylon cinnamon sticks (plus more for serving if desired)
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- 2 rooibos tea bags
- Apple slices for serving (optional)
- Maple syrup or sweetener of choice to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Tea Base: In a medium saucepan, combine water, apple cider or juice, and spices. Bring to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Steep the Tea: Turn off the heat, add tea bags, cover, and let steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and strain the spices.
- Sweeten and Serve: Stir in maple syrup or sweetener to taste. Serve in mugs with apple slices and a cinnamon stick for stirring.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: Approx. 120 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
