INSTRUCTIONS:

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1. Choose your milk

Start with the milk you enjoy drinking on its own. The milk decides the body of the drink.

Full-cream milk gives the creamiest result. Toned milk keeps it lighter. Almond milk makes it nutty. Oat milk adds natural sweetness. Coconut milk gives it a richer, almost dessert-like taste, but it can overpower the cinnamon if used in full strength.

If using plant-based milk, choose an unsweetened version. Sweetened varieties can make the drink too sugary once you add honey or jaggery.

 

2. Add the cinnamon to a small pan

Pour the milk into a small saucepan. Add the cinnamon stick directly to the milk.

If you only have cinnamon powder, use it carefully. Powder gives flavour quickly, but it can clump or settle at the bottom of the cup. Start with ¼ teaspoon for 250 ml milk. You can always add more later.

A cinnamon stick gives a cleaner drink because you can remove it before serving. It also lets the flavour build slowly.

 

3. Warm the milk on low heat

Place the pan on low heat. Let the milk warm slowly for 5 to 7 minutes.

Stir often with a spoon, especially near the bottom of the pan. This prevents the milk from sticking and helps the cinnamon move through the liquid.

Do not boil the milk hard. A gentle simmer is enough. Look for light steam and small bubbles near the edge of the pan.

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4. Add your sweetener

Once the milk is hot and fragrant, stir in your sweetener.

Honey gives a floral sweetness. Jaggery adds a deeper, earthy flavour that works beautifully with cinnamon. Sugar keeps the flavour clean and simple. Maple syrup gives a warm caramel note.

If using jaggery, lower the heat before adding it. Some milk can split when jaggery is added over high heat, especially if the jaggery has impurities or if the milk is boiling. Keeping the heat low helps the mixture stay smooth.

Start with 1 teaspoon. Taste, then add more if needed.

 

5. Simmer briefly

Let everything warm together for 1 to 2 more minutes.

This short final simmer helps the sweetener dissolve and brings the flavours together. Keep stirring. If the milk rises too quickly, lift the pan off the heat for a few seconds.

If you prefer a stronger cinnamon taste, turn off the heat and let the cinnamon stick steep in the covered pan for 5 minutes. This gives more flavour without overcooking the milk.

 

6. Strain and serve

Strain the milk into a mug.

Serve warm. A small dusting of cinnamon on top looks lovely.