Spicing Up Your Nutrition Diet: What Drinks Can You Put Cinnamon In?

October 1, 2025 •

5 min read

According to Healthline, cinnamon is one of the spices richest in antioxidants, beneficial compounds that help keep you healthy. This makes it a versatile ingredient to add to your daily routine. If you're wondering what drinks can you put cinnamon in, the possibilities are vast, offering both delicious flavor and a boost to your nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

Explore how to incorporate cinnamon into various beverages, from hot teas and spiced ciders to morning coffees and creamy smoothies, for both enhanced flavor and potential health benefits like blood sugar regulation and reduced inflammation.

Key Points

Variety of Drinks: Cinnamon can be added to a wide range of beverages, including hot coffee, tea, milk, and cider, as well as cold smoothies, water, and cocktails.
Health Benefits: The spice offers potential health benefits like blood sugar regulation, reduced inflammation, improved digestion, and antioxidant support.
Ceylon vs. Cassia: There are two main types of cinnamon; Ceylon is safer for regular, high-dose consumption due to its low coumarin content, unlike the common Cassia variety.
Flavor Enhancement: Adding cinnamon can naturally sweeten drinks, reducing the need for added sugar while imparting a warm, comforting flavor.
Method Matters: Use ground cinnamon for quick flavor integration or steep cinnamon sticks for a milder, infused taste without sediment.
Sore Throat Relief: A simple tea with cinnamon, honey, and lemon can be a soothing remedy for a sore throat.
Appetite Control: Adding cinnamon to your morning coffee or pre-meal drink may help suppress appetite and reduce cravings.

Cinnamon is a beloved spice known for its warm, sweet flavor, but its benefits extend far beyond just taste. With potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, incorporating cinnamon into your drinks can be a simple and effective way to boost your nutritional intake. Whether you prefer hot or cold beverages, there are countless delicious options available.

Warm and Soothing Cinnamon-Infused Beverages

For a comforting and healthy drink, adding cinnamon to warm beverages is a classic choice. A cinnamon stick, or a simple dusting of ground cinnamon, can transform your favorite hot drink into a soothing elixir. Cinnamon sticks are particularly effective for infusing flavor over time, while ground cinnamon dissolves more readily for immediate taste.

Popular Warm Cinnamon Drinks

Cinnamon Tea: Simply steep a cinnamon stick or stir ground cinnamon into a cup of hot water. You can enhance the flavor with a squeeze of lemon or a teaspoon of honey, which can also provide relief for a sore throat.
Spiced Apple Cider: This is a quintessential fall and winter treat. Simmer apple cider with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise for a cozy and flavorful drink.
Warm Milk: A pinch of cinnamon, a touch of vanilla, and a hint of honey in warm milk can create a relaxing bedtime drink, potentially helping to promote better sleep.
Hot Chocolate: Add a cinnamon stick to your hot chocolate as it simmers for a delicious and warm, spiced cocoa. A pinch of ground cinnamon can also be stirred in at the end.

Refreshing Cold Drinks with a Hint of Spice

Cinnamon isn't just for warm drinks. It can also add a complex and refreshing flavor to cold beverages, making them more interesting and beneficial.

Ideas for Cold Cinnamon Drinks

Cinnamon Water: A great morning boost. Add a cinnamon stick to a glass or bottle of water and let it infuse overnight in the fridge. This simple drink may help improve digestion and regulate blood sugar.
Cinnamon Smoothies: Blend ground cinnamon into your morning smoothie. It pairs well with fruits like bananas, apples, and peaches, as well as ingredients like oats and yogurt.
Iced Coffee or Tea: For a colder beverage with a kick, add cinnamon to iced coffee or tea. Stir a small amount of cinnamon powder into your grounds before brewing coffee, or sprinkle it into iced tea before serving.

Creative Cocktails and Mocktails with Cinnamon

Cinnamon can add warmth and depth to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, making it a fantastic ingredient for creative cocktails and celebratory punches.

Cinnamon-Inspired Mixes

Spiced Apple Cider Cocktail: Add a shot of bourbon, spiced rum, or Calvados to your warm spiced apple cider for an adult version of the classic.
Cinnamon Tequila Sour: Use cinnamon syrup to add a spicy twist to a classic tequila sour.
Infused Spirits: Infuse a bottle of vodka or whiskey with cinnamon sticks for a personalized spiced spirit that can be used in numerous cocktails.
Apple Pie Sangria: Combine cinnamon sticks with red or white wine, apple slices, and other fruits for a festive and flavorful sangria.

A Comparative Guide to Cinnamon Beverages

This table provides a quick overview of different drink types and how to best incorporate cinnamon into them, considering both flavor and potential health benefits.


Drink Type	Best for...	How to Add Cinnamon	Best Served	Benefits (Potential)
Coffee	Morning energy & blood sugar control	Stir ground cinnamon into grounds before brewing or sprinkle on top	Hot or iced	Antioxidants, insulin sensitivity, appetite control
Tea	Relaxation & reduced inflammation	Steep a cinnamon stick or stir ground cinnamon into hot water	Hot or cold	Antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties
Smoothie	Nutrient-dense breakfasts or snacks	Blend ground cinnamon with fruits, yogurt, and milk	Cold	Stabilize blood sugar, aid digestion
Cider	Cozy fall/winter treat	Simmer cinnamon sticks with cider on the stove	Hot	Warming effect, comforting flavor
Milk	Bedtime relaxation & digestive aid	Stir ground cinnamon into warm milk with honey	Warm	Promotes sleep, soothes digestive discomfort
Cocktail	Festive drinks & complex flavor	Use cinnamon sticks as garnish or pre-made cinnamon syrup	Cold or hot	Adds flavor, aroma; moderation is key

Best Practices for Adding Cinnamon to Drinks

When adding cinnamon to your drinks, consider the type and form. Cassia cinnamon is the most common variety, but it contains a compound called coumarin, which can be toxic to the liver in large amounts. Ceylon cinnamon, often called "true cinnamon," contains much lower levels of coumarin and is the safer option for regular, high-dose consumption.

Ground vs. Sticks: Ground cinnamon integrates its flavor quickly, but may leave a gritty texture in some drinks if not fully dissolved. Cinnamon sticks are ideal for infusing flavor slowly into hot liquids, leaving a clearer result.
Quality Matters: Opt for organic or high-quality cinnamon to ensure you are getting the purest flavor and most potential health benefits.

Cinnamon Drinks for Different Health Goals

Depending on your health goals, you can tailor your cinnamon drinks to provide specific benefits:

Blood Sugar Management: A daily dose of cinnamon, like a sprinkle in your coffee or tea, may help improve insulin sensitivity.
Weight Management: By regulating blood sugar and potentially suppressing appetite, cinnamon water or a cinnamon smoothie can aid in weight loss efforts when combined with a balanced diet.
Reducing Inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon make cinnamon tea a soothing choice, particularly for joint pain or digestive issues.
Digestive Health: Cinnamon can help stimulate digestive enzymes, reducing symptoms of bloating and gas.

For more detailed information on the health benefits of cinnamon, you can refer to authoritative sources such as Healthline's article on cinnamon benefits.

Conclusion

From a warm, soothing cup of spiced tea to a refreshing cinnamon smoothie, the possibilities for incorporating cinnamon into your drinks are both plentiful and nutritious. By experimenting with different beverages and methods, you can easily enhance your daily fluid intake with the unique flavor and potential health benefits of this powerful spice. Always remember to use Ceylon cinnamon for frequent consumption to mitigate potential liver risks associated with Cassia cinnamon. Cheers to a more flavorful and healthier you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, adding a dash of ground cinnamon to your coffee grounds before brewing or sprinkling it on top of your finished coffee is a great way to add flavor. It can also help regulate blood sugar levels and provide a boost of antioxidants.

Yes, ground cinnamon dissolves quickly and provides a more immediate, concentrated flavor, but can leave a gritty texture. Cinnamon sticks are better for infusing flavor slowly into hot drinks over time, resulting in a smoother beverage.

Cinnamon water is a refreshing drink made by steeping a cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon in water. To make it, you can boil water with a cinnamon stick, let it steep, and drink it warm or chilled.

For regular daily consumption, it is recommended to use Ceylon cinnamon, also known as "true cinnamon." Common Cassia cinnamon contains higher levels of coumarin, which can be toxic to the liver in large doses.

Yes, a warm glass of milk with a pinch of cinnamon, honey, and vanilla is a popular and comforting nighttime drink that can promote relaxation and potentially help with sleep.

Studies suggest that cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar, boost metabolism, and suppress appetite, which can aid in weight management when part of a balanced diet. However, it is not a miracle cure for weight loss.

Simply add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your blender along with your other ingredients, such as banana, oats, yogurt, or apple. Blend until smooth for a warm and spicy flavor.