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Cinnamon clove hot tea in a cup
Warming and fragrant hot tea with cinnamon and cloves

Cinnamon Clove Hot Tea

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Drinks
Tea isn't just leaf steeped in hot water; it's a ritual. This recipe dresses up classic black tea for the holidays. The trick is to spice the water separately ('spice tea') and use this rich, aromatic base to brew the tea itself. This prevents the tea from becoming bitter while allowing the spice flavors to shine fully.
🕒 Prep Time 5 mins
🍳 Cook Time 10 mins
⌛ Total Time 15 mins
🍽️ Servings 2 servings
🔥 Calories 95 kcal
🌍 Cuisine International

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Small saucepan
  • Teapot or heatproof pitcher
  • Strainer

Instructions

1 ✓

Pour the water into a saucepan. Toss in the cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil.

Tip: Whole spices provide a cleaner flavor; ground spices make the tea cloudy.
2 ✓

Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. This creates the 'spice extract'.

Tip: The lid is important so the fragrant steam drips back into the tea instead of escaping. [Preserving essential oils]
3 ✓

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Wait until the water stops bubbling (about 30-60 seconds) before adding the tea bags.

Tip: Boiling water burns tea leaves. 195-205°F is ideal for black tea.
4 ✓

Steep the tea for exactly 3-5 minutes (or as directed on the box). No longer, or tannins will leach out and make it bitter! Remove the bags.

Tip: Don't squeeze the bag at the end, as that releases the bitterest compounds. [Tannins]
5 ✓

Wait until it cools to a drinkable temperature (approx. 140°F) before stirring in the honey and lemon juice.

Tip: Boiling water destroys the beneficial properties of honey and lemon.
6 ✓

Strain into cups and garnish with an orange slice.

Tip: The acidity of lemon juice lightens the color of the tea; this is a natural chemical reaction.

Recipe FAQ

Why is it bitter?
You likely steeped the tea bag too long, or the water was too hot when you added it. Black tea is sensitive!
Can I use green tea?
Yes, but that requires lower temperature water (175°F), and the dominant spices might overpower the delicate flavor of the tea.

Ingredients

  • 2 bags black tea (e.g., Earl Grey or English Breakfast)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 pinch grated nutmeg
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 2 slices orange (for garnish)