Spiced Hot Cinnamon Holiday Tea
Today we are making a Spiced Hot Cinnamon Holiday Tea! Today we are making a Spiced Hot Cinnamon Holiday Tea! This recipe is a delightful recreation inspired by the famous Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea and the traditional flavors of Bengali tea. Known for its bold, warming spices and deep, aromatic flavor, this tea captures the essence of comfort in a cup, perfect for sipping during the chilly holiday season. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Harney & Sons blend or have a love for the rich, spiced teas of Bengal, this homemade version brings those beloved flavors right into your kitchen.
Harney & Sons’ Cinnamon Hot Tea is renowned for its robust combination of sweet cinnamon and spicy cloves, with a hint of citrusy orange peel that makes it truly special. This recipe aims to replicate that same warmth and complexity, allowing you to enjoy the luxurious taste at home. On the other hand, Bengali tea, traditionally known as “Masala Chai,” is famous for its blend of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, often paired with black tea for a strong, invigorating brew. By merging elements from both these iconic teas, this recipe offers a unique twist that’s sure to become a holiday favorite.
In this version, we’ve carefully balanced the spices to create a harmonious flavor profile that’s both familiar and unique. The cinnamon provides a sweet, comforting base, while the cloves and star anise add depth and a subtle, warming heat. This Spiced Hot Cinnamon Holiday Tea is not only a treat for your taste buds but also a fragrant delight for your senses, making it the perfect beverage to share with family and friends during festive gatherings. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or just looking to try something new this holiday season, this recipe is a wonderful way to bring a bit of spiced warmth into your home.
Why You’ll Love This Spiced Hot Cinnamon Holiday Tea
Festive Aromas: The moment you start brewing this tea, your home is enveloped in the warm, nostalgic aromas of the holiday season. The scent of cinnamon mingled with cloves and star anise instantly transports you to memories of cozy winter nights, festive gatherings, and the comforting embrace of holiday traditions. It’s more than just a drink; it’s an experience that fills your space with the spirit of the season, making it the perfect accompaniment to decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, or simply enjoying a quiet moment by the fire.
Immune-Boosting Spices: This tea isn’t just about flavor; it’s a powerhouse of health benefits. Cinnamon and cloves are known for their antioxidant properties, which help combat free radicals and boost your immune system. In the midst of winter, when colds and flu are more common, sipping on this spiced tea can be a delightful way to support your body’s defenses. The warming nature of these spices also aids in circulation, keeping you warm from the inside out. It’s a deliciously effective way to stay healthy and enjoy the season to its fullest.
Ingredients Description + Substitutions
Cinnamon: This recipe uses a cinnamon stick. I have not tried substituting this with ground cinnamon, but the flavor won’t be the same since the ground cinnamon can mix into the hot water (and not get caught in the strainer), leaving a grainy tasting tea.
Star Anise: This is a spice that can be found online or in Asian grocery stores. It looks like a star (hence the name) and has a very strong, sweet licorice smell. This recipe uses the entire star anise, not ground. Do not substitute.
Black Peppercorn: This is the whole peppercorn, before it turns into black pepper when it’s crushed. Do not substitute this with ground black pepper.
Nutmeg: If you don’t have ground nutmeg, you can try grating a small amount of a whole nutmeg directly into the pot. However, I have not tried this myself, and whole nutmeg will have a stronger flavor than the ground version. Start off with just half the amount of nutmeg than what the recipe calls for in this case.
Be aware that this may throw off the balance of the tea after you taste it, when the spices have time to mesh.
Ginger: Use fresh ginger, not pre-ground.
Black Cardamom: This type of cardamom has a strong, earthy flavor. It is larger than green cardamom. You can find this, along with cloves and green cardamom, at an Asian or Indian grocery store.
Clove: A clove is a dried flower bud that has a pungent aroma when cooking. It’s commonly used in chai tea, or in cooking both sweet and savory dishes. They are small, brown and have the shape of a nail (like a nail and hammer, that kind of nail).
Green Cardamom: Green cardamom comes in little green pods with black seeds inside. It has a sweet, slightly spicy, and aromatic flavor.
Spiced Hot Cinnamon Holiday Tea Recipe Notes
- The star anise and cinnamon impart some sweetness on their own. If extra sweetness is desired, use a dash of pure maple syrup, added when the tea is hot and ready to serve.
- Use whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. They release a richer flavor compared to ground spices.
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If you make this Spiced Hot Cinnamon Holiday Tea, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!
Spiced Hot Cinnamon Holiday Tea
Equipment
- Stovetop Pot with lid
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 1 medium star anise
- 3 small black peppercorns crushed
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg ground
- ½ tsp fresh ginger finely grated
- 1 medium black cardamom crushed
- 3 small green cardamoms crushed
- 1 medium clove crushed
Instructions
- Boil water then turn off and leave overnight or for 2 days in fridge
- In a stovetop pot over high heat, bring the 3 cups of water to a boil.
- Once boiling, turn off the heat and add in the remaining ingredients.
- Cover the pot and allow the mixture to sit for 12 hours overnight.
- The next day, strain the tea into two cups.
- Remove the leftover mixture from the pot, then add the tea back in to warm it up.
- Bring the tea to a boil.
- Once boiling, remove from heat and pour into two cups to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
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Storage
- Store in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to two days. Heat up before serving.
