Iced Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Rest Time 20 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Asian
Courses: Beverage
Difficulty: Beginner
Cooking Temp: 100  C
Servings: 2
Best Season: Summer
Description

Iced Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea is a refreshing, aromatic drink that blends black tea with fresh orange zest, warm cinnamon, and creamy milk. This iced beverage balances sweet citrus brightness with cozy spice, making it perfect for warm days or whenever you want a soothing but uplifting drink. Easy to prepare and filled with natural flavors, it’s a wonderful homemade alternative to café-style milk teas.

Ingredients
    For the Tea Base
  • 2 cups • water
  • 2 black • tea bags (or 2 tsp loose black tea)
  • 1 strip • fresh orange peel (about 3–4 inches, without the white pith)
  • 1 small • cinnamon stick
  • 2 tbsp • sugar (adjust to taste)
  • For the Milk Layer
  • 1 cup • cold whole milk (or oat milk/almond milk)
  • 2 tbsp • condensed milk (optional for sweetness and creaminess)
  • For Serving
  • 1 cup • ice cubes
  • 2 fresh • orange slices (for garnish)
  • • A small pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
    Prepare the Tea Infusion
  1. 1
    Bring 2 cups of water to a boil (100°C). Add the black tea bags, orange peel, and cinnamon stick. Reduce the heat and let the tea gently simmer for 3–4 minutes to release the citrus oils and spice aroma.
  2. Sweeten the Tea
  3. 2
    Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the sugar until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust the sweetness depending on how sweet you want the milk tea to be.
  4. Steep for Maximum Flavor
  5. 3
    Let the tea sit for another 5–7 minutes with the orange peel and cinnamon still inside. This extra steeping builds depth and fragrance. Do not over-steep the tea bags, as it can make the drink bitter; remove them after 5 minutes.
  6. Cool Down the Tea Base
  7. 4
    Take out the cinnamon stick and orange peel. Allow the tea to cool for about 15–20 minutes, or place it in the refrigerator for faster cooling. This step ensures the ice doesn’t melt too quickly when serving.
  8. Prepare the Milk Layer
  9. 5
    In a separate cup, mix cold milk with condensed milk (if using). Stir until smooth. Chilled milk creates a cleaner layering effect and remains creamy when poured over ice.
  10. Assemble the Iced Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea
  11. 6
    Fill two tall serving glasses with ice cubes. Pour the cooled tea base until the glass is about two-thirds full. Slowly pour the milk mixture on top. You can drizzle it along the inside wall of the glass to create a beautiful gradient.
  12. Add Garnish and Serve
  13. 7
    Add a fresh orange slice to each glass. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon on top for aroma. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing, citrusy, creamy flavor.
Note
  • Tea Choice: Assam or Ceylon black tea gives the best strong flavor.
  • Orange Peel Tip: Avoid the white pith to prevent bitterness.
  • Milk Substitutes: Almond, oat, or soy milk also work beautifully.
  • Make Ahead: Brew the tea base in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
  • Stronger Flavor: Add more cinnamon or let the tea steep longer (without the tea bags).
  • Less Sweet Option: Skip condensed milk and use only milk.
Keywords: iced tea, citrus milk tea, cinnamon drink, summer beverage, refreshing
Read it online: https://petitepanini.com/recipe/iced-orange-cinnamon-milk-tea-recipe/