Who is ready for a new favorite pick-me-up? This Iced Cinnamon Coffee recipe is as refreshing as it is delicious! It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, there is something really refreshing about this coffee drink – and it’s so easy to make at home!

This recipe perfectly blends your favorite coffee, milk, and simple syrup over ice with a sprinkle of cinnamon – all made right in the comfort of your kitchen. It packs a flavorful and healthy punch! Cinnamon isn’t just a spice rack staple anymore. A dash mixed into your morning coffee will get you going for the day, and it may help with your memory to boot!

So, let’s shake up your coffee routine and give your brain a tasty boost with this easy, breezy iced coffee recipe. Get your morning or afternoon off to a healthy start and sharper mind—one cinnamon-infused sip at a time!

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What You Need to Make It

This recipe is soooo easy and fun to make! This is all you need:

Coffee

You don’t need any special type of coffee or coffee bean. Use your favorite blend, or for an extra cinnamon flavor, you could look for a cinnamon-flavored bean. The only trick to this is you should brew a stronger than your usual brew.

Milk

Any milk will work in this. Whole milk will add a silky, rich texture and flavor. Non-fat or low-fat milk is also good and will froth nicely. If you prefer a plant-based option, almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk will also work.

Cinnamon

Ground cinnamon to sprinkle on top and if you have it a cinnamon stick to make the cinnamon simple syrup.

Sugar

Regular, granulated sugar is what you need for this. Add a teaspoon of sugar right to your coffee or, to give it a bit more “coffee shop flavor” make your own cinnamon flavored simple syrup. I’ll show you how easy i is to do that below.

Equipment

I don’t usually mention the cooking equipment in recipes because they are things most of us have in our kitchens but for this recipe, two important things are worth talking about. Your coffee maker and something to get the milk whipped and full of bubbles!

Any coffee maker will work -an instant Keurig type to a French press. You just need to be able to make a strong cup of coffee.

The other essential tool is a “frother.” This whips the milk quickly and to about double the volume. It’s one of those tools you never knew you needed until you had it! I like this one from Amazon – It’s from Bean Envy (affiliate link) and is less than $10. It comes with a stand so it can sit right next to your coffee maker and takes 2 AA batteries.

How to Make it

Step 1: Make the Simple Syrup

I made a simple cinnamon syrup for an extra flavor boost that mixes with the coffee better than granulated or raw sugar. However, you can skip that step – or make the syrup ahead and keep it in the fridge for whenever you are in the mood for this, or add it to a cup of chamomile tea or bourbon cocktail!

Make your simple syrup if you are making it. This is so easy and will add an extra burst of flavor. (You could also buy a premade syrup, but I find I never get through the whole bottle so this is more economical for me.)

To make the simple syrup: The ratio is 1 part water to 1 part sugar. (i.e. ½ cup water and a ½ cup sugar) Place the water small saucepan and bring just to a boil. Add the sugar and and cinnamon stick. Stir it until the sugar dissolves. Simmer it for 10 minutes. Remove it from the heat and let it cool. Remove the cinnamon stick before storing it.

You can make this ahead and store it in the fridge.

Step 2: Brew the Coffee

Brew a strong cup of coffee. Keep in mind, the milk and ice will dilute so unless you like a weak coffee, you want to start strong! You don’t need a special brew – use your favorite blend!

Allow it to cool before pouring over ice. Room temperature is best. You can make an extra cup in the morning and allow it to sit for a couple of hours so it’s ready. Another option is to brew it the night before and store it in the refrigerator until the next day.  

If I’m in a hurry, I’ll put an ice cube in the hot coffee to help temper it a bit. Then when it’s cool enough for the glass, pour it over the ice.

When you are ready, pour the coffee over the ice and stir in a bit of the simple syrup.

Step 3: Froth the Milk

Now we get to the fun! You can use whatever milk you prefer. Whole milk adds a smooth creamy flavor, but low-fat or skim works just a well too. If you prefer plant-based milk, soy, almond or oat milk would be my recommendation to get the creamiest flavor.

Place the frother into the milk. Make sure the whip end is fully submerged and turn it on. Move the frother around the milk slowly and whip it until you get the froth you want.

Step 4: The Pour Over

Once the milk is frothed, you are ready to go! While you can pour it all in at once, you’ll lose a bit of the “froth.” Here’s what I found keeps that beautiful frothy layer.

Place a soup spoon, upside down just over the coffee and gradually pour the frothed milk over the back of the spoon. The milk will cascade into the coffee leaving a gorgeous trail and layer of froth at the top.

Sprinkle it with a little cinnamon if you’d like!

Variations

One of the easiest ways to jazz up your coffee is to use a flavored simple syrup. They are easy to make and will keep for a couple of weeks.

In place of cinnamon, add a few anise flowers or cardamon seeds. Ginger gives the syrup a bit of a kick too. For a fruity flavor, try my strawberry simple syrup. The options are endless!

Storage Tips

To store the simple syrup:

You can make this ahead and store it in a glass container or jar. It will keep for 2 – 3 weeks. Use it in cocktails, coffee, and tea. Drizzle a little over oatmeal or ice cream for a treat.

Brewed Coffee:

You can brew the coffee ahead and store it in a glass container or jar overnight in the fridge.

Another trick is to pour coffee into an ice cube tray and make cubes of frozen coffee. You can add these to your coffee for an extra kick or thaw them and use them as your coffee.

Iced Coffee:

You can make this ahead but will lose the froth! It will keep in the fridge for 24 – 48 hours.

To store – mix the milk with the brewed coffee and cinnamon simple syrup – skip the ice. Store it in a glass jar with a lid. When you’re ready to enjoy it, pour it over ice and stir.