Homemade Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea is a vibrant and refreshing drink perfect for any summer day. Each sip offers a delightful burst of flavors that not only quenches thirst but also delights the senses.
Here is a recipe where the bold zest of orange dances with the warm spice of cinnamon, all wrapped up in a refreshingly cool iced tea.
And the best thing is that you can easily prepare this drink in just 10 minutes! All you need is some teabags, fresh orange, and a few cinnamon sticks.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Refreshing Flavor Fusion: The vibrant citrus of orange perfectly complements the warm, spicy notes of cinnamon, creating a unique and refreshing flavor profile that’s ideal for beating the heat.
- Health Benefits: Oranges are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, while cinnamon is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making this iced tea not only delicious but also beneficial for your health.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is simple and straightforward, requiring just a few ingredients and steps to prepare, making it accessible for anyone looking to try a new iced tea variation.
- Perfect Party Drink: Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea is a crowd-pleaser with its appealing look and taste, making it perfect for gatherings, picnics, or family brunches.
- Versatile Serving Options: This iced tea can be customized to suit individual tastes — serve it sweetened or unsweetened, spiked with a splash of spirits, or garnished with fresh herbs like mint for an extra touch of elegance.
Ingredients
This Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea blends simple yet flavorful ingredients to create a refreshing summer beverage.
It starts with robust black tea, providing a rich, deep base that perfectly complements the bright, tangy zest and juice from a fresh orange. Cinnamon sticks add a warm, spicy undertone that’s both comforting and invigorating. You can also add some star anise for a more complex flavor profile.
Optional honey or sugar can be added to sweeten the blend to your liking, enhancing the natural flavors.
Together, these ingredients combine to produce an iced tea that’s not only thirst-quenching but also a delight to the senses with every sip!
Ingredients for making 4 cups of Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea:
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags (or 4 teaspoon loose-leaf black tea)
- 1 large orange
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anises (optional)
- Honey or sugar to taste (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh orange slices and additional cinnamon sticks for garnish
How to Make Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea
Step-by-step instructions for making 4 cups of Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea:
- Boil Water:
- Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.
- While waiting for the water to heat, zest the orange to collect about a teaspoon of zest.
- Steep Tea and Cinnamon:
- Once the water is boiling, remove from heat. Add the tea bags, cinnamon sticks, and orange zest (plus star anises). Cover and let steep for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.
- Strain and Add Orange Juice:
- While the tea is steeping juice the orange, removing seeds if necessary.
- After the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and strain the tea. Then stir in the orange juice. Sweeten with honey or sugar to taste, if desired.
- Cool:
- Allow the tea mixture to come to room temperature. Then refrigerate until it’s completely chilled.
- Serve:
- Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the chilled tea over the ice. For a nice visual effect, you can garnish each glass with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick (or star anise).
- Enjoy:
- Refresh yourself with this deliciously spiced and citrusy iced tea, perfect for a warm day or a festive occasion!
Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea Recipe Cocktail
Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea naturally lends itself to becoming an excellent cocktail due to its rich and versatile flavor profile.
The citrusy zest of orange and the spicy warmth of cinnamon create a complex base that mixes well with various spirits. To transform this tea into a cocktail, simply add a splash of your favorite spirit, such as rum, bourbon, or a cinnamon-flavored liquor.
These spirits enhance the natural flavors of the tea, creating a sophisticated and refreshing drink that’s perfect for social gatherings or a relaxing evening.
Tips & Variations
- Enhance with Vanilla: Add a splash of vanilla extract to the tea mixture for a subtle, sweet depth of flavor that complements both the orange and cinnamon.
- Spice It Up: Incorporate other spices like cloves, cardamom, or a pinch of nutmeg during the steeping process to enhance the complexity of the spice flavors.
- Sparkling Option: For a fizzy version, mix the chilled tea with sparkling water just before serving to add a refreshing carbonation.
- Use Different Citrus: Try replacing orange with grapefruit, lemon, or lime for a variation in citrus flavor, adjusting the sweetener as needed to balance the tartness.
Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 4 cups Water
- 4 Black tea bags or 4 tsp loose leaf
- 1 Orange large
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 2 Star anises optional
- Honey or sugar optional
- Ice cubes
- Orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the water in a saucepan. While waiting for the water to heat, zest the orange to get about one teaspoon of zest.
- Once the water is boiling, remove from heat and add the tea bags, cinnamon sticks, and orange zest (plus star anises). Cover and steep for 5 to 8 minutes.
- While the tea is steeping juice the orange. After the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and strain the tea. Then stir in the orange juice and sweeten with honey or sugar.
- Let the tea cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate until it’s completely chilled.
- Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled tea over the ice. Garnish with fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks or star anise. Enjoy!
