If you’re looking for a cozy beverage that hits all the right notes—fragrant, creamy, gently spiced, and just a touch luxurious—Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea is calling your name! This delightfully aromatic drink blends the robust depth of black tea with zesty orange peel and warming cinnamon, finished with velvety milk and a hint of vanilla. The result is a cup that instantly makes you feel at home, wrapping you in gentle citrus and spice. Whether you’re starting your day or winding down in the evening, Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea is comfort in a mug.

Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe earns its place, contributing something unique to the overall experience. You probably already have all of them in your kitchen, and together, they create an indulgence with surprisingly little effort.

Water: The base for steeping the tea and infusing spices—filtered water ensures a clean taste.

Black tea bag (or loose leaf): Provides a bold, malty foundation that pairs beautifully with both citrus and spice.
Orange peel: Adds fresh, zesty aroma and flavor—make sure to avoid the bitter white pith for best results.

Cinnamon stick: A warming note that turns each sip into pure comfort—using a whole stick yields a sweet, mellow flavor.
Brown sugar: Brings gentle sweetness with a hint of molasses to balance the citrus.

Vanilla extract: The secret ingredient that gives the milk tea extra warmth and complexity.
Milk (or your choice of milk): Adds creamy body—whole, skim, oat, or almond milk all work nicely.
Orange peel twist or slice (for garnish): A simple finishing touch that makes your mug visually inviting and extra fragrant.

How to Make Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea

Step 1: Bring the Water to a Boil

Start by pouring one cup of fresh water into a small pot. Bring it to a lively boil—using boiling water ensures your tea and spices will infuse fully, bringing out all their flavors right from the start.

Step 2: Infuse Orange and Cinnamon

Drop the orange peel and cinnamon stick into the bubbling water. Lower the heat slightly and let them simmer for two to three minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen fills with the invigorating scent of citrus and warm spice.

Step 3: Steep the Tea

Add your black tea bag (or loose leaves, if you prefer a deeper flavor) into the pot. Steep for three to five minutes, depending on how strong you like your milk tea. Too long, and it gets a little bitter—too short, and you miss out on the lovely depth. When time’s up, strain the tea into your cup to remove the cinnamon stick, orange peel, and tea leaves or bag.

Step 4: Sweeten and Flavor

With the tea still piping hot, stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract. The heat helps everything dissolve into a seamless blend, transforming your tea into a fragrant, sweet base.

Step 5: Add the Milk

Now, pour in your milk and return the pot to gentle heat. Let the Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea warm for another two to three minutes—just enough to heat the milk through without boiling (which could make it separate). Your kitchen should smell absolutely heavenly right now!

Step 6: Strain and Finish

Give your milk tea one final strain as you pour it into your favorite mug, ensuring it’s smooth and free of stray peel or spice. This double-straining step makes each sip luxuriously creamy.

Step 7: Garnish and Enjoy

Top it all off with a twist of orange peel or a bright orange slice for garnish. Admire your beautiful Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea, inhale deeply, and dive in—the ultimate reward.

How to Serve Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea

Garnishes

For that café-style flourish, never skip the garnish! A twist of fresh orange peel not only amps up the citrus aroma but looks downright gorgeous in your cup. You can even float a thin orange slice for a pop of sunset color, or, if you’re feeling extra, dust a little ground cinnamon right over the top.

Side Dishes

Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea loves sweet companionship. Shortbread cookies make a classic pairing, absorbing the tea’s warmth as they melt in your mouth. For a heartier bite, try almond biscotti or a buttery scone with a swipe of marmalade to echo those orange notes.

Creative Ways to Present

Why stop at mugs? Try serving this milk tea in vintage teacups for an afternoon tea vibe, or pour it over ice for a refreshing twist in warm weather. For brunch, create a DIY milk tea bar with bowls of garnishes—like candied orange slices or cinnamon sticks—and let your guests customize their own mugs of Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you don’t finish your full batch, simply transfer any leftover Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea to an airtight jar or container and refrigerate. It will keep beautifully for up to three days, so you can reheat a mug whenever you need a little pick-me-up.

Freezing

Want to get ahead? Freeze cooled milk tea in individual portions using freezer-safe containers. It’s a clever way to have this treat ready to go—just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently for a quick indulgence.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm your milk tea in a pot over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently. Don’t let it come to a boil, as this could affect the texture of the milk. Top with fresh garnish, and it’s as inviting as the first pour.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of tea in this recipe?

Absolutely! While black tea is traditional and creates a strong backbone for the Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea, you can experiment with oolong or even a gently flavored green tea for a lighter twist.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Definitely. Swap out regular milk for your favorite non-dairy option (like oat, almond, or soy milk) to keep the drink creamy and delicious, with no compromise on flavor.

What’s the best way to avoid bitterness from the orange peel?

Be careful to peel just the orange’s vibrant outer layer, leaving the white pith behind; the pith can add unwanted bitterness. A vegetable peeler works wonders here!

Can I double or triple the recipe for a group?

Yes, Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea is a fantastic recipe for sharing! Just increase the quantities proportionally, and use a larger pot. Do keep an eye on the flavor as you scale—it’s best to taste and adjust the sweetener as needed.

How can I make an iced version?

Simply follow the recipe, then let the milk tea cool down before pouring it over ice. It’s a spectacular summer treat—refreshing, creamy, and packed with those wonderful orange and cinnamon notes.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a new go-to homemade treat, make room in your mug rotation for Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea. Each cup is a celebration of cozy, sunny flavors—perfect for sharing, or as a little reward just for you. Give it a try, and let this irresistible milk tea brighten your day!

Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 14 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x

Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the warm and comforting flavors of Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea. This delightful beverage combines the richness of milk with the zesty essence of orange and the comforting spice of cinnamon, creating a soothing drink perfect for any time of day.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Tea:

1 cup water

1 black tea bag (or 1 tsp loose leaf black tea)
peel of 1/2 orange (save some for garnish)
1 cinnamon stick

For Sweetening and Finishing:

1 tsp brown sugar (or to taste)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup milk (or your preferred milk)

orange peel twist or orange slice for garnish

Instructions

In a small pot, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the orange peel and the cinnamon stick. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Add the black tea bag (or loose leaf tea) to the pot. Steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Strain the tea into your cup, removing the cinnamon stick and orange peel. Remove the tea bag afterward.

Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract while the tea is still hot, so the sugar dissolves completely.
Pour in the milk and allow the tea to gently heat for another 2-3 minutes. Do not let it boil.
Strain the tea into your cup, removing the cinnamon stick and orange peel.

Add a twist of orange peel or a slice of orange to garnish, and enjoy your warm, fragrant Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea!

Notes

You can adjust the sweetness of the tea by adding more or less brown sugar to suit your taste.
Feel free to experiment with different types of milk, such as almond or oat milk, for a dairy-free option.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Beverage

Method: Boiling, Steeping
Cuisine: International

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (240ml)

Calories: 120 kcal
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 50mg

Fat: 2.5g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g

Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g

Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea, Tea Recipe, Hot Beverage, Comfort Drink