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    Home » Recipes » Warm Cinnamon Milk

    Published: Jan 11, 2021 · Modified: May 28, 2021 by Alicia This post may contain affiliate links.

    Warm Cinnamon Milk

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Two hands holding a cup of warm cinnamon milk
    A mug of frothed cinnamon milk with a cinnamon stick and a napkin

    This warm cinnamon milk is perfect for a caffeine-free drink or a cozy drink before bed. It’s been my favorite substitute for coffee in the morning!

    Two hands holding a cup of warm cinnamon milk

    Heading into my 35th week of pregnancy, I’ve unfortunately been experiencing intense acid reflux. I’m convinced this baby is going to come out looking like Chewbacca based on the old wives tale that acid reflux = a hairy baby. That being said, I’ve had to shift from my morning Swiss water processed decaf coffee to something that is not so acidic.

    This is essentially a concoction of steamed milk with a pumpkin spice blend, sometimes called a “steamer” if you go Starbucks and just order warm, steamed milk. Normally I think these recipes are just too easy to post, but it’s been one of my absolute favorites. There’s something so comforting and cozy about a mixture of warm milk with cinnamon. It’s wonderful for a morning substitute for coffee or tea, or as a way to calm down before bed.

    Types of Milk

    Obviously you can use any that suit you best, but my favorites are whole milk and oat milk because of how frothy they get when you steam or blend them. They also have a more creamy texture over milk substitutes like nut milk or hemp milk, which always seem more watered down. With real full fat milk and oat milk, it will retain the same froth for far longer after steaming.

    If you use oat milk, this recipe would fit a vegan diet. A few of my favorite brands of oat milk ranked in order of preference:

    • Oatly (my favorite) because it also doesn’t contain any gums or additives
    • Califia Farms Barista
    • Elmhurst also doesn’t contain gums, but it’s a lot more expensive and I don’t think it tastes as good as Oatly
    • Planet Oat contains gellan gum

    Hands frothing milk in a stainless steel steamer using a latte machine

    How to Froth Milk

    There are a few ways you can froth your milk for this recipe. If you have an espresso machine, this is probably the easiest way to do it. I start by placing about a cup of milk in a stainless steel cup and turning on my machine, allowing it to heat up the steam, and placing the milk under the spout. Then gently move your hand in circles gradually shifting the cup up and down to get the milk to froth up. You may also need to tilt your cup to a 45 degree angle while steaming the milk.

    If you don’t have an espresso maker, not to worry, there are so many gadgets out there that will froth milk for you, and some easy makeshift ones you probably have already in your home.

    • A detachable milk frother
    • A giant foamer for making multiple batches
    • A cheap handheld frother (but this won’t heat the milk for you)
    • Warm the milk on the stove and then blend in a blender
    • Warm the milk and then place into a mason jar and shake vigorously

    Pumpkin Spice or Cinnamon

    Pumpkin spice doesn’t actually contain any pumpkin, it’s just a blend of cinnamon-forward spices that are typically found in pumpkin pie. I like to use a blend as a shortcut here, but you can certainly make your own. Usually pumpkin spice is about 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg and ginger, and a pinch of ground cloves.

    Some of my favorite blends are from Primal Palate and Simple Organic. If you’re follow a migraine diet, just double check the ingredients. The one at Trader Joe’s contains lemon peel.

    Or if you want you can keep this strictly as just cinnamon milk. Either way you’re getting wonderful anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon which can also help unstable blood sugar levels, always a good thing.

    A cinnamon design of a butterfly in steamed milk

    More Warm Drinks

    For other cozy drinks like this warm cinnamon milk, give these posts a read.

    Homemade Winter Wassail
    Decaf Coffee Alternatives
    Ginger Turmeric Tea

    A mug of frothed cinnamon milk with a cinnamon stick and a napkin

    Warm Cinnamon Milk

    A cozy nightcap drink or a way to wake up without coffee, this cinnamon milk is an easy, caffeine-free recipe that is a great substitute for lattes.
    5 from 25 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 minute
    Total Time: 6 minutes
    Servings: 1 person
    Calories: 12kcal
    Author: Alicia

    Ingredients

    • 8oz milk of choice - I recommend whole milk or oat milk
    • ¼ teaspoon pumpkin spice or cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Sweeten to taste

    Instructions

    • Prepare your milk by using one of the recommended methods in the post - either in a stainless steel steamer cup or steamer appliance. If using a blender, a handheld frother, or shaking in a jar, warm the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat till just beginning to bubble.
    • If using a latte machine/steamer - swirl the stainless steel cup at an angle for about 1-2 minutes until milk is fully heated through. Continuously moving the cup in a steady, circular motion at this angle will help to get the milk nice and frothy.
      Hands frothing milk in a stainless steel steamer using a latte machine
    • Pour into a mug and top with cinnamon or pumpkin spice blend and vanilla extract. Stir with a spoon to incorporate both and add sweetener as needed (I personally don't think it needs any).

    Notes

    • See post recommendations for preferred pumpkin spice blends. Both that and cinnamon will work. I tend to prefer ½ teaspoon in my milk, but start with ¼ and see what you think.
    • Maple syrup is a great way to sweeten this, if desired.
    • I like to use a good vanilla extract for this. Trader Joe's has a good alcohol free one, and Nielsen Massey is my other favorite. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 12kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 4mg | Sugar: 1g
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @thedizzycook or tag #thedizzycook!
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    About Alicia

    Alicia is a vestibular migraine advocate and the bestselling author of The Dizzy Cook: Managing Migraine with More Than 90 Comforting Recipes and Lifestyle Tips. Her articles and recipes have been featured by Healthline, Parade, mindbodygreen, Today, Good Morning Texas, the Vestibular Disorders Association, and the American Migraine Foundation. Read More

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tanja says

      November 03, 2022 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      Mmmm....This is so good! I am a reader and I whas looking for some cozy warm drinks to drink with my book, this is so perfect and I love the scent. I used vanilla sugar instead of extract. Thank you for the recipe :o)

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        November 05, 2022 at 8:59 am

        Thank you, Tanja!!

        Reply
    2. rosjane says

      October 29, 2022 at 7:15 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for this website and all your dedicated work to help others .. This drink was so comforting to wake up to. I had to revisit The Dizzy Cook today after waking up feeling horrible. I was feeling great avoiding all tyramine foods so I thought I could start eating them again. I gradually starting getting worse and I noted my symptoms were gradually coming back. This morning they came back full force with vertigo and some new symptoms. I woke up with vertigo, migraine, ashiness, and muscles twitching. I went to my kitchen and threw everything with tyramine out which was a lot.... pickles, bananas, nuts (all kinds), parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, yogurt, avocado (eating a whole one at a meal), pineapple, and many other foods with tyramine. I'm getting back on track and not going back again. I am one of those people highly sensitive to tyramine. Thank you again for your recipes. I am going to make your chicken pot pie today. I was eating a store bought chicken pot pie with ingredients in it I wasn't suppose to be eating!

      Reply
      • rosjane says

        October 29, 2022 at 8:56 am

        5 stars
        Sorry for the misspell. That was achiness not ashiness.

        Reply
    3. Cindy says

      October 13, 2022 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely loved this drink! I did add a couple of drops of maple syrup to add just a hint of sweetness. This will be my new "hot chocolate" drink. Love finding replacements for coffee and hot mocha drinks.

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        October 14, 2022 at 2:16 pm

        Thank you, Cindy!! That's awesome.

        Reply
    4. Kathryn says

      October 12, 2022 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      The perfect way to start my morning. Love this for fall. I don’t miss my morning coffee now at all!

      Reply
    5. Melissa says

      September 02, 2022 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and exactly what I needed today! I see many of these in my future! I do feel the ¼ teaspoon cinnamon/pumpkin spice should be a ½ teaspoon, as you mentioned in your notes, just a great migraine friendly latte for a fall day.

      Reply
    6. Karen says

      February 26, 2022 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      Exactly what I needed! Just yesterday I was wishing for a yummy alternative to tea or cocoa. Then during the night I was awoken by the ol' spinning vertigo headache, etc. This morning everything is hard, I can't do much, and just want comfort. This was easy, delicious and comforting. Thank you!!! ...but don't try a giant immersion blender in a mostly full mug. It turns into a mostly empty mug.🤦‍♀️

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        March 02, 2022 at 9:56 am

        Thanks so much, Karen. Glad this hit the spot this morning.

        Reply
      • Cindy says

        November 09, 2022 at 4:10 pm

        This is my new favorite fall drink. I tried it with cinnamon first and then pumpkin spice. Both versions are yummy and even my 8 year old loves it.

        Reply
    7. Sharon says

      December 28, 2021 at 7:46 pm

      5 stars
      I’m cutting back on coffee. I like how this resembles a frothy coffee and can be unsweetened. Thank you!

      Reply
    8. Jennifer Type 1 diabetic says

      October 27, 2021 at 2:08 pm

      5 stars
      Great for type 1 diabetics as well! Next to no sugar on Halloween 🎃😂! Very nice!

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        October 30, 2021 at 10:34 am

        Good to know!! Thank you!!

        Reply
    9. Maddie says

      October 19, 2021 at 10:32 pm

      5 stars
      OMG so good!

      Reply
    10. Lori says

      October 01, 2021 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      I just tried this and I’m hooked! I used to love making a matcha latte and when I gave up caffeine, it had to go. Now I can have a delicious frothy warm drink again!!

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        October 05, 2021 at 1:09 pm

        Yay! So happy to hear that Lori!

        Reply
    11. Sharron says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:54 am

      5 stars
      Sounds wonderful - thank you!

      Reply
    12. Jessica says

      May 10, 2021 at 5:16 am

      5 stars
      On day 2 of the migraine diet and was craving tea so badly ( I previously had at least 2 large mugs full of tea for breakfast!) So I decided to try warm cinnamon milk and was pleasantly surprised at how good it tastes! I think I'm going to need more milk!

      Reply
    13. Lori says

      January 14, 2021 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      Very tasty caffeine free latte!! Thank you !

      Reply
    14. Kathryn says

      January 11, 2021 at 8:53 pm

      5 stars
      This is so delicious! I love really simple recipes like this. Something I can make even when I'm feeling unwell. Thank you!

      Reply
    15. Jennifer M. says

      January 11, 2021 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this and it was delicious!! New favorite!

      Reply
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    Meet the Cook! I’m Alicia, cookbook author and recipe developer. I was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Migraine in 2016 - a diagnosis that changed my life. I’ve gone from bedridden to extremely active by implementing migraine diet, incorporating key supplements, and making lifestyle changes. The Dizzy Cook is a collection of my delicious recipes that everyone will love, and tips for anyone that struggles with migraine attacks.

    About The Dizzy Cook

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    Favorite Healthy Recipes

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    Meet the Cook! I’m Alicia, cookbook author and recipe developer. I was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Migraine in 2016 - a diagnosis that changed my life. I’ve gone from bedridden to extremely active by implementing migraine diet, incorporating key supplements, and making lifestyle changes. The Dizzy Cook is a collection of my delicious recipes that everyone will love, and tips for anyone that struggles with migraine attacks.

    About The Dizzy Cook

    Popular Recipes

    • Creamy Boursin Pasta
    • Beef Stew Recipe without Wine
    • Lazy Lasagna
    • No Tomato Chili (Texas-Style)
    • Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie
    • Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Get New Posts via Email

    Subscribe for new recipes, tips, and discounts.

    Favorite Healthy Recipes

    • Stir Fry Without Soy Sauce
    • Beef Protein Bowl
    • Mediterranean Baked Halibut
    • Dutch Oven Pot Roast (Wine-Free)
    • Baked Chicken Kabobs
    • Chicken and Brown Rice Soup

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