Imported through the spice trade from Southeast Asia to Egypt as early as 2000 BC, cinnamon is one of the oldest cultivated spices in recorded history. Once more valuable than gold and in ancient civilizations, it became highly cherished and was often gifted to monarchs.
Cinnamon is also one of the world’s most common flavor enhancers, versatile enough to lend its rich, aromatic qualities to both sweet and savory dishes. It has a distinctively fragrant quality that is woodsy and warming. Though the spice is not itself sweet, cinnamon can enhance the sweetness of a recipe. It can also amplify spice complexities in a savory recipe without adding heat.
Like nutmeg, ginger, and clove, cinnamon is an essential baking spice that evokes cozy winter days and comforting hot mugs of cheer. It’s played a vital role in drinks recipes around the world, from adding heady sweet spice to a Mexican Hot Chocolate and Coquito to lending earthy aromatics to a classic Horchata.
To help you find a new favorite, these cinnamon drinks range from spins on classics like the Spiced Negroni and Gingerbread Margarita to modern creations such as the Nonalcoholic Cranberry Pomegranate Punch.
Eva Kolenko
When diving into the world of cinnamon drinks, this easy-to-make cinnamon syrup should be your first stop. A spicy and seasonal take on a simple syrup, sugar and water are infussed with whole cinnamon sticks. This warming syrup can easily be mixed into cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks, including coffee and tea-based hot drinks. It can also be customized according to the spice level preferred. Steep the mixture longer with added cinnamon for an even more robust, spicy cinnamon profile.
Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
This spiced take on the classic bittersweet Negroni comes from bartender and cocktail influencer Kaitlyn Stewart. Made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin infused with cinnamon, star anise, and clove, it’s garnished with an orange slice dusted with cinnamon powder for an extra kick. The gin here is infused with three kinds of whole spices for 12 hours, creating complex layers of savory, earthy flavors. The infusion time can be decreased for gentler spice notes.
Eva Kolenko
This citrus-and-spice spritz is a lower-ABV drink that combines bittersweet amaro, cinnamon-infused simple syrup, orange and lemon juices, and club soda. Amaro Montenegro, the bittersweet Italian herbal liqueur, provides notes of orange peel, lemon, and a touch of vanilla. Refreshing yet warming, the cinnamon and citrus combo balances the tart flavors of orange and lemon juices with the aromatic and smoky cinnamon notes.
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This creamy and nutty Horchata recipe comes from At Nixta Taqueria in Austin, Texas from 2023 Food & Wine Best New Chef Edgar Rico and his wife and business partner Sara Mardanbigi. While their recipe is classic and simple — made with rice, cinnamon, sugar, and water — this traditional treat takes a little patience but is well worth the effort. Add a splash of rum or brandy for a spiked take on the creamy drink.
Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele
Though tequila isn’t always the first option to come to mind for hot drinks, the addition of warming spices like cinnamon and ginger utilizes the spirit here to create an aromatic winter toddy. The spices, when transformed into a ginger cinnamon tea, help to amplify the earthy qualities of a reposado tequila. A touch of agave syrup is added for sweetness and whole cloves and orange peel provide further aromatics as garnish.
Looking to winterize your Margarita? This variation with spiced orange syrup tastes like a holiday cake and is perfect for your seasonal festivities. This recipe also calls for a base of añejo tequila, alongside fresh lime juice and orange liqueur. Using an aged tequila ensures the agave spirit will stand up to the bold spice and citrus flavors in the syrup.
Rich and creamy Coquito, or “little coconut,” is a traditional Puerto Rican drink often served throughout the holiday season. Sometimes referred to as coconut eggnog, the classic drink is most often made with just coconut cream, coconut milk, baking spices, and rum. Some recipes include eggs or egg yolks, but more often than not, it’s made without eggs. This recipe comes from Shamil Velázquez, the executive chef of Delaney Oyster House in Charleston, who stands firmly in the no-egg camp.
Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
This nonalcoholic holiday punch is one everyone can enjoy. Ruby-hued and tangy, this pomegranate punch combines a cardamom-cinnamon spiced tea-infused simple syrup, fruit juices, and a nonalcoholic sparkling wine. Bright and acidic with festive bubbles, this drink can be spiked with a dry white sparkling wine like prosecco or cava.
Spice up your favorite hot cocoa with a simple mix of sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and nutmeg. Dark chocolate cocoa powder is preferable in this rich wintery treat. Mix up a batch of the spice mix in advance for a hot and cozy Mexican Hot Chocolate and you’ll have a cup of spicy cheer in no time.
Eva Kolenko
This spicy take on a classic Old Fashioned features bourbon, Angostura bitters, and a warming addition of cinnamon syrup instead of simple syrup or regular sugar. Following the traditional cocktail template, this variation only veers from the classic with the sweetening agent swap. The spiced syrup lends sweetness as well as complex baking spice notes and a rich body and mouthfeel.
Eva Kolenko
This coffee shop-worthy gingerbread latte combines brewed espresso with ground ginger, molasses, homemade cinnamon syrup and steamed whole milk. This comforting coffee drink was created to mimic freshly baked gingerbread with complex layers of warming spiced notes.
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