How to Make Cinnamon Not Float: Techniques for Smooth Beverages and Recipes

January 7, 2026 •

4 min read

Did you know that cinnamon is naturally hydrophobic, meaning it repels water? This is the primary reason why cinnamon powder can stubbornly float on the surface of your coffee or tea. But with the right techniques, you can master how to make cinnamon not float and achieve a perfectly blended, delicious result.

Quick Summary

Ground cinnamon floats because it is hydrophobic and does not dissolve in water. Counter this by creating a paste with a small amount of liquid or fat before mixing, infusing the spice into a syrup, or using a mesh strainer.

Key Points

Combat Hydrophobia: Cinnamon's natural water-repelling property can be overcome with pre-mixing techniques.
Form a Paste: Mixing ground cinnamon with a small amount of liquid, honey, or fat before adding to a recipe prevents clumping and floating.
Use Simple Syrup: For sweet drinks and desserts, infusing cinnamon into a simple syrup ensures an evenly distributed, potent flavor.
Utilize Fats: Since cinnamon is more fat-soluble, dissolving it in warm milk or cream is highly effective for creamy beverages like lattes.
Infuse with Sticks: For teas and mulled drinks, steeping whole cinnamon sticks is a mess-free method to get flavor without any residue.
Store Properly: Keeping cinnamon in a cool, dry place prevents moisture absorption, which can cause powder to clump.

Cinnamon is a versatile spice that adds warmth and depth to a wide array of recipes, from coffee and tea to baked goods and savory dishes. However, when using ground cinnamon, it's common to find it clumping up or stubbornly floating on the surface of liquids. This is not a matter of a poor quality product, but rather a scientific property of the spice itself. The inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree, which is dried and ground to make the powder, is primarily composed of cellulose and other insoluble fibers. More importantly, the spice contains essential oils, like cinnamaldehyde, that are naturally hydrophobic, or water-repelling. This article explores several practical methods to overcome this challenge and ensure your cinnamon is perfectly integrated into your culinary creations.

Techniques for Smoothly Incorporating Cinnamon

Create a Cinnamon Paste

One of the most reliable methods is to pre-mix the ground cinnamon with a small amount of liquid or a thickening agent to create a paste. This process helps to break the surface tension and disperse the cinnamon particles evenly before they are added to the main volume of liquid.

Method 1: Using Hot Liquid: In a small bowl or cup, combine your desired amount of ground cinnamon with just enough hot water or the liquid from your recipe to form a thick paste. Stir vigorously to eliminate any lumps before combining with the rest of your beverage or batter.
Method 2: Using Honey or Maple Syrup: The sticky, viscous nature of honey or maple syrup is excellent for trapping the fine cinnamon particles. Mix the ground spice with a teaspoon or two of honey until fully combined before adding it to your hot or cold beverage.

Make a Cinnamon Simple Syrup

For sweet applications like cocktails, coffee, or even drizzled over desserts, a cinnamon simple syrup is a game-changer. By heating the cinnamon with sugar and water, you create a stable, flavorful syrup that integrates seamlessly.

Steps: Combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan. Add several cinnamon sticks (or ground cinnamon, though it will require straining) and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or longer for a more potent flavor. Strain out the solids, and store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Dissolve in a Fatty Liquid

Cinnamon's essential oils are more soluble in fat than in water, making dairy products a perfect carrier. This method is particularly effective for recipes involving milk or cream, such as lattes or creamy sauces.

Steps: Gently warm your milk or cream on the stove or in the microwave. Whisk in the ground cinnamon until it is fully incorporated before adding it to your main mixture. A frother or immersion blender can create an extra-smooth, frothy texture.

Use an Infusion Method

For drinks like tea, using whole cinnamon sticks or a tea ball is a foolproof way to impart flavor without any floating or residue.

Using Cinnamon Sticks: Place one or more cinnamon sticks directly into your hot liquid and allow it to steep. The flavor will infuse into the liquid over time, and you can simply remove the stick when you're done.
Using a Mesh Strainer: Place ground cinnamon inside a fine-mesh tea ball or cheesecloth bag before steeping it in your liquid. This contains the insoluble particles while allowing the flavor to infuse, similar to how loose-leaf tea is prepared.

Quick Fixes and Best Practices

Start with Warm Liquids: Using a warm base liquid can aid in dispersing the cinnamon particles more effectively than cold liquids.
Stir Vigorously: For beverages, a vigorous stir with a whisk, frother, or even a shaker bottle can help to initially suspend the cinnamon evenly.
Mix with Dry Ingredients: When baking, incorporating ground cinnamon with your dry ingredients first ensures that the particles are evenly distributed before coming into contact with wet ingredients.
Proper Storage: Store your spices in a cool, dry place to prevent clumping caused by moisture exposure.

Ground vs. Stick Cinnamon Comparison Table


Feature	Ground Cinnamon	Cinnamon Sticks
Application	Baking, toppings, quick flavor release	Infusions, simmering liquids, slow flavor release
Flavor	Strong and immediate	Subtler, complex flavor over time
Floating Risk	High, unless pre-mixed or strained	None, as it is removed before serving
Ease of Use	Quick to measure and add	Requires steeping time, must be removed
Shelf Life	Approx. 6-12 months	Up to 2 years, longer-lasting potency

Conclusion

While the hydrophobic nature of cinnamon powder can be a source of frustration, it is not an insurmountable obstacle. By understanding the science behind why cinnamon floats, you can employ simple and effective techniques to ensure a smooth, perfectly blended result every time. Whether you choose to create a paste, infuse a simple syrup, rely on fat-soluble carriers, or steep whole sticks, you have a range of options for incorporating this beloved spice without a gritty or clumpy outcome. Next time you reach for the cinnamon shaker, remember these tricks to achieve a flawless finish.

Understanding Cinnamon's Hydrophobic Nature - American Chemical Society

Frequently Asked Questions

Ground cinnamon floats because it is naturally hydrophobic, meaning its oily compounds repel water. The insoluble, fibrous particles are lightweight and stay on the surface, resisted by the liquid's surface tension.

No, ground cinnamon is essentially pulverized tree bark, made of insoluble materials like cellulose and lignin. It will not dissolve like sugar or salt but can be suspended evenly with proper techniques.

The most effective method is to first mix the cinnamon with a very small amount of the liquid to form a thick paste. This breaks up the clumps and allows the spice to disperse smoothly when added to the rest of the liquid.

Cinnamon contains flavor compounds that are more soluble in fat than in water. Pre-mixing ground cinnamon with warm milk, cream, or melted butter helps these compounds disperse and integrate into the recipe more effectively.

Using cinnamon sticks is a foolproof way to avoid floating powder, as the sticks are removed after steeping. For applications where powder is necessary, techniques like forming a paste are required.

Yes, mixing ground cinnamon directly with coffee grounds before brewing is an effective way to infuse the flavor and prevent floating. The oils in the coffee help with dispersion.

To prevent clumping, store your cinnamon in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture. Always use a dry spoon when scooping to avoid introducing any water into the container.