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Chilled Orange Cinnamon Drink

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Switch up your classic iced tea with this vibrant Orange Cinnamon twist. It comes together in only 10 minutes using black tea as the base, along with a burst of orange zest and juice, plus whole cinnamon for warmth. Star anise is optional but adds depth. Customize sweetness with honey or sugar, and finish with citrus slices and spices for a gorgeous touch. Fantastic for warm-weather hosting or just to keep cool.
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Updated on Sat, 03 May 2025 17:37:21 GMT
Chilled Orange Cinnamon Tea Pin it
Chilled Orange Cinnamon Tea | tasteofmoms.com

This cool orange cinnamon iced tea mixes zesty citrus with toasty spices in every cold gulp. After trying tons of tea mixes in my home, I've discovered this combo hits the sweet spot between tangy orange peel and gentle cinnamon warmth. Whether you're serving it at a backyard hangout or sipping it alone on your deck, this drink adds a bit of class to any moment.

I made this for a backyard get-together last week and watched everyone smile when they tasted the surprise cinnamon twist in their iced tea. Even my buddy who only drinks plain black tea couldn't help asking me how I made it!

Key Ingredients

  • Black Tea Bags: Forms the strong foundation
  • Fresh Orange: We'll use both peel and juice for flavor
  • Cinnamon Sticks: Adds cozy, spicy flavor
  • Star Anise: You can skip it, but it gives extra flavor
  • Honey: Sweeten it if you want
  • Ice Cubes: To make it nice and cold
  • Fresh Orange Slices: Makes it look fancy
Cool orange cinnamon iced tea with a spicy citrus kick. Pin it
Cool orange cinnamon iced tea with a spicy citrus kick. | tasteofmoms.com

Follow my simple steps for this cool drink

Get Everything Ready:
Boil some water. While that's happening, grab your orange and scrape off the peel. Squeeze juice into a separate cup. Get your cinnamon sticks ready to go.
Mix It All Together:
Take the water off the heat. Drop in tea bags, cinnamon, and orange peel. Put a lid on it and wait. Watch the clock for the right strength.
Finish It Up:
Pull out tea bags after 5-8 minutes. Pour through a strainer to catch spices and peel. Mix in the fresh orange juice. Add honey if you want it sweeter. Let it cool on its own.
Serve It Right:
Put fresh ice in glasses. Pour the cooled tea carefully. Top with orange slices. Stick in a cinnamon stick to look fancy.

The first time I tried making this, I learned that rushing doesn't work - throwing in ice right away just waters down all the good flavors. Now I mix it up early and let it get cold properly in the fridge.

Party Upgrade

Turn this refreshing tea into a fancy adult drink by pouring in some spiced rum or cinnamon liqueur. I really like adding Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum because it makes everything taste better without drowning out the tea flavors.

Fun Twists

Orange and cinnamon work great together, but feel free to play around. Try dropping in a vanilla bean while it steeps, or use lemons or limes instead. Each change brings something new to this flexible drink.

Plan-Ahead Tricks

Mix up twice as much and keep it in your fridge for up to three days. Just give it a quick stir before pouring and add fresh garnishes right at serving time.

This orange cinnamon iced tea has become what everyone asks me to bring to summer hangouts. It works great at casual cookouts or fancy dinner parties, always leaving people feeling refreshed and happy. The mix of bright orange with warm spices creates something really special that folks can't get enough of.

Orange cinnamon iced tea, a tasty and fragrant drink for any get-together. Pin it
Orange cinnamon iced tea, a tasty and fragrant drink for any get-together. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare this tea ahead?
Definitely, it keeps well for 2 days in the fridge if you store it in a covered container.
→ Which black tea works best here?
Any basic black tea works great—you can try English Breakfast or Ceylon.
→ Can ground cinnamon replace sticks?
You could, but whole sticks are better—they give more flavor and won’t leave residue.
→ Does this tea contain caffeine?
Yes, because of the black tea. To make it caffeine-free, go for decaf tea bags.
→ Could I serve it warm instead?
Of course! Enjoy it hot right after brewing instead of chilling it.

Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea

Black tea paired with zesty orange, aromatic cinnamon, and optional star anise for a cool-down drink on hot days.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Drinks & Beverages

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 tasty glasses of iced tea)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Tea Base

01 4 black tea bags or 4 tsp loose tea leaves
02 4 cups of boiling water

→ Flavor Boosters

03 Juice and zest from 1 big orange
04 2 sticks of cinnamon
05 Optional: 2 whole star anise
06 Optional: Sweeten with honey or sugar to your liking

→ Serve It Up

07 Ice cubes or crushed ice
08 Slices of orange as garnish

Instructions

Step 01

Grab a zester and collect about a teaspoon of zest from your orange. Put it aside, then keep the orange handy for juicing later.

Step 02

Let the water reach a boil in a saucepan, then take it off the heat. Stir in the tea, orange zest, cinnamon sticks, and star anise (if you’re using it). Cover with a lid and leave it for 5–8 minutes.

Step 03

Take out the tea bags and strain the tea liquid. Squeeze the orange you zested earlier, then mix that fresh juice into the strained tea. Add sugar or honey if you want it sweeter.

Step 04

Let your tea sit out to reach room temp before sticking it in the fridge until it's nice and cold.

Step 05

Fill your glasses with plenty of ice and pour the chilled tea over. Add a cinnamon stick or a star anise pod for flair, along with some orange slices.

Notes

  1. Great for sunny afternoons or get-togethers
  2. Store in the fridge to make it ahead of time
  3. Add just the right amount of sweetener for your taste

Tools You'll Need

  • Medium saucepan
  • A citrus grater
  • Juicer for oranges
  • Tea strainer
  • Glasses for serving