When it comes to flavoring coffee, it always comes back to one thing: taste.
Most of us aren't searching for “a new coffee” because we need another source of caffeine. We're looking for something that's genuinely enjoyable to drink.
And once you start experimenting, you realize there's a whole world of flavor combinations out there.
Today, we're talking about one of the simplest (and most underrated) upgrades: cinnamon in coffee.
If that sounds interesting, grab some coffee, and let's get into it!
Cinnamon in coffee: What you need to know
It's true that you can use cinnamon to enhance the flavor of your coffee. It makes a delightful addition to your morning coffee.
There are numerous coffee recipes that incorporate cinnamon.
Personally, I really enjoy the flavor of cinnamon year-round, but it's most commonly associated with the fall and winter seasons.
Over the past few months, I've developed a fondness for a few coffee recipes, all of which feature cinnamon.
Have a look below:
- Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cortado
- Cinnamon Brown Sugar Latte
- Cinnamon Mocha
As you can see from the recipes above, cinnamon can be used in many delicious coffee recipes.
However, this article focuses on the simplest version: adding cinnamon to your everyday coffee, without creating a full recipe.
Below, I'll discuss how to incorporate cinnamon into your coffee, the recommended amount to use, and what it tastes like.
Can you add ground cinnamon to coffee?
You can absolutely add ground cinnamon to coffee, and you have two easy options:
For a flavor that feels “baked in,” sprinkle a small pinch of cinnamon onto your coffee grounds before brewing.
When you pour hot water, it extracts a subtle cinnamon aroma along with the coffee.
This works especially well for pour over brewers like the Chemex and Hario V60.
If you want more control, you can also add cinnamon to the finished coffee. Just keep in mind that cinnamon will float to the top and settle, so stir well, sip, and give it another quick stir near the end of the cup.
If you prefer a cleaner cup with less powder, cinnamon sticks are your best friend:
Using cinnamon sticks in your coffee
Cinnamon sticks are amazing and are used in many coffee recipes and other delicious recipes for daily use.
It differs significantly from ground cinnamon because it's much larger, and you'll need to infuse the cinnamon stick rather than just adding it to your coffee, as with the ground version.
To make great coffee with cinnamon sticks, you can choose from many ways to brew coffee.
My favorite way to use cinnamon sticks is in a French press, because it's an easy way to steep and strain everything in one go.
It also works great for cold brew, allowing the cinnamon note to develop slowly as it steeps.
You can simply add a cinnamon stick to your daily brew using the French press.
Once the coffee has steeped for long enough, use the plunger, and out comes the filtered French press coffee with a hint of cinnamon.
Brewing tip: If the cinnamon stick is too large, break it in half, so you can fully press the plunger to the bottom of the French press.
For a single cup, one small cinnamon stick is usually plenty. If your sticks are large, start with half and adjust next time.
How much cinnamon do you add to coffee?
So, how much cinnamon do you have to add to give your coffee a cinnamon flavor?
I've noticed that a little cinnamon goes a long way to flavor the coffee.
Ground cinnamon is much more effective for pour over coffees, while the cinnamon sticks are better used for French press and cold brew coffees.
A little cinnamon goes a long way, so it's best to start with a small amount and adjust as needed. Here's a simple starting point for one cup (about 240 ml).
| Coffee brewer: | Amount of cinnamon to add for one cup (about 240 ml): |
| French press | One cinnamon stick (or 1 gram of ground cinnamon) |
| Chemex | 1 gram of ground cinnamon |
| Hario V60 | 0.5 gram of ground cinnamon |
As you can see, you don't need a lot of cinnamon to make your coffee taste different, and it's a great way to add a unique flavor to your coffee.
For a standard batch of cold brew, start with one to two cinnamon sticks and adjust next time if you want it stronger.
This will flavor the cold brew while steeping, without making it too cinnamon-forward.
What does coffee with cinnamon taste like?
Coffee with cinnamon tastes just like regular coffee, but with a subtle hint of cinnamon that isn't overpowering.
It's the perfect way to make your coffee taste a bit different than usual without overdoing it.
If you love cinnamon and coffee, then you'll love the cinnamon-infused coffee.
I love this technique of adding spices to my coffee because it makes the coffee taste significantly different from normal without requiring a lot of trouble.
What is the best way to add cinnamon to coffee?
My favorite way to add cinnamon is by adding ground cinnamon to my daily Chemex coffee.
Because I always have ground cinnamon at home, it's so easy to add a bit to my coffee and give it a different flavor.
If I crave cold brew coffee, I love to add a cinnamon stick to the brew to make it a bit more unique and different from the norm.
Depending on the coffee you like to drink on a daily basis, you can choose to use ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks.
Want more ideas? Use my Coffee Recipes Directory to find drinks that match your mood, brew style, and time.
- See hot, iced, cold brew, and Frappuccino recipes in one place.
- Browse latte, espresso, milk-based, and coffee add-in recipes.
- Get inspiration for what to make next at home.
Over 200 coffee recipes to explore.
More coffee add-ins to try
Ready to upgrade your daily coffee?
Here are some coffee add-ins to try today:
- Baking Soda in Coffee
- Brown Sugar in Coffee
- Buttermilk in Coffee
- Cocoa Powder in Coffee
- Cold Foam in Coffee
- Condensed Milk in Coffee
- Dark Chocolate in Coffee
- Heavy Cream in Coffee
- Honey in Coffee
- Olive Oil in Coffee
- Powdered Sugar in Coffee
- Vanilla Extract in Coffee
And for even more options, check out the coffee add-ins hub here!
Conclusion
Cinnamon in coffee is one of the easiest ways to make your daily cup taste different without changing your whole routine.
If you want a subtle cinnamon note, use a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon in your grounds before brewing. If you prefer a cleaner cup, steep a cinnamon stick in a French press or add one to your cold brew while it sits.
Start small, see what you like, and adjust from there. If you try it, let me know which method you prefer and whether you used ground cinnamon or a stick!
