6 Cinnamon Drinks: a Delicious Way to Fight Inflammation

Cinnamon is a warming spice that can be used in both sweet and savory cooking. But cinnamon is more than just a delicious additive to our favorite recipes, it has a wealth of health benefits that make is a star super spice. If you’re anxious to welcome fall a little early, these yummy drinks will help get you in the mood, even when the temperature outside is still soaring.

Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid, both of which have antioxidant properties that help inhibit cell damage caused by free radicals. The antioxidants in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help lower your risk of disease. 

These delicious drinks will help you enjoy the health benefits of cinnamon on daily.

Creamy Cinnamon Latte

This delicious and healthy vegan cinnamon latte tastes just like the $5 one from your favorite cafe – only cheaper…and healthier.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup coconut or almond milk
• 1/4 cup strong coffee or 1-2 shots of espresso
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
• 3-4 tsp maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Add hot coffee, syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon to a mug, and stir until well combined.
2. Microwave milk for 1 minute or heat over the stove until very warm – but not boiling.
3. Place steam wand or stick blender into milk and turn on, blending gradually until your desired amount of foam is reached.
4. Gently tap the milk container on a counter to separate the foam and liquid, then take a large spoon to hold back the foam as you pour the milk into the coffee mixture.
5. Scoop out the foam and place on top of the milk, then top with cinnamon. Enjoy!

Spiced Apple Pie Smoothie

Enjoy all the deliciousness of apple pie in a healthy form with this creamy, cinnamon-spiked smoothie.

Ingredients:

• 1 apple (cored and chopped)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to your blender.
2. Blend until smooth. 
3. Serve in a tall glass and top with more cinnamon, as desired.

Viennese Hot Chocolate With Cinnamon 

Sometimes your sweet tooth wins, and you need to satisfy a craving fast. Garnish this sweet treat with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon and dark chocolate shavings for an extra layer of sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cup milk of your choice
• 6 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 cup cream (or whippable plant-based cream)
• 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
• Dark chocolate shavings (optional)

Instructions:

1. Refrigerate a metal bowl and a whisk for 1 hour.
2. Pour the cream into the cold bowl and beat. When it begins to get fluffy, add vanilla extract.
3. Stop beating when the cream forms stiff peaks. Refrigerate.
4. Heat milk in a saucepan.
5. Add cocoa powder and cinnamon to the bottom of the mugs (for 1 mug: 3 teaspoons chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon).
6. Pour boiling milk through a sieve into each mug, and gently mix.
7. Garnish the hot chocolate with whipped cream, and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon and optional chocolate shavings.

Cinnamon Apple Cider Gut Tonic

This 4-ingredient gut tonic tastes just like warm apple cider – but it’s super healthy. Drink it to help with digestion, get rid of bloat, speed up weight loss, and boost your immunity. 

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar 
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1 cup filtered water

Instructions:

1. Bring half of the water to boil in a kettle or on the stovetop. (Don’t boil all of your water, or you’ll deactivate the good properties of the apple cider vinegar and honey). 
2. Pour the other half of the water and all remaining ingredients into a mug and stir well, then add boiling water. It should be a perfect drinking temperature to enjoy immediately.

Mexican Hot Cocoa

This spiced version of the classic favorite will wake up your taste buds and convince you that chocolate, cinnamon, and cayenne is a match made in heaven. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (plus more for garnish)
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 3 cups milk
• 3 Tbsp honey, divided
• Finely grated zest of one orange
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne. Whisking constantly, add milk in a thin stream until combined. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of honey and the orange zest.
2. Heat the mixture over medium, whisking occasionally, until it is steaming and bubbles start to appear on the sides of the pan. Remove from the heat and whisk in vanilla.
3. In a medium bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk, beat the cream and one tablespoon of honey on medium speed until the cream is softly whipped.
4. To serve, divide cocoa between mugs, top each with 1 tablespoon whipped cream, and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Cinnamon Immunity Shot 

The ingredients of this little potion are all packed with nutrients that can help nip a cold in the bud or keep your immune system in fighting form.

Ingredients:

• 2 inch piece of fresh ginger root
• 1 inch piece of fresh turmeric root
• Juice of 1 fresh lemon
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Peel and trim the ginger and the turmeric. Cut each into thin slices or chunks. Put all the pieces into your blender (or juicer, if you have one).
2. Add the juice of a whole lemon into the blender, along with the black pepper and cinnamon.
3. Blend all the ingredients for a minute or until you see that a liquid has formed. At this point, it will still have a lot of fiber, so it may appear chunky and fibrous.
4. Set up a strainer over a bowl or large measuring cup. Carefully pour half of the liquid from the blender over the strainer into the bowl underneath. The fiber that is left in the strainer has a lot of liquid in it that we want to keep, so press it down with the back of a spoon to release more liquid, then dispose. Repeat with the other half of the liquid. (If you have a juicer, you can skip this step)
5. Depending on your individual tolerance level, you may need as little as a teaspoon of the mixture, or you might like to drink a whole shot glass full. 
6. Store any extra in the refrigerator in a covered glass jar for about a week. Shake before using.

With so many different hot, cold, sweet, and spicy cinnamon drinks to enjoy, try whipping one up for every day of the week!

-Liivi Hess