Growing up, my mornings always started with the smell of coffee drifting through the house. That first sip of something warm and slightly sweet is still how I like to begin my day, and this iced honey cinnamon latte delivers that feeling every single time, just poured over ice. It is creamy, lightly spiced, and naturally sweetened with a homemade honey-cinnamon syrup that takes less than ten minutes to make.
I used to stop at the same coffee shop every morning on the way to my old graphic design office and always ordered the same honey cinnamon latte. When I started working from home I missed that drink more than I expected. I spent one Saturday morning figuring out how to make it myself and now I make it at home every single day for less than a dollar a cup. If you love easy coffee recipes at home, my black forest hot chocolate is another cozy drink recipe our family keeps coming back to all year long.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Ingredients for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Substitutions and Variations for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Equipment for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- How to Make Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Expert Tips for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Storage Tips for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- FAQ about Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Related
- Pairing
- 📖 Recipe
Why You'll Love This Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- This iced latte recipe comes together in under 15 minutes and uses just four simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
- The homemade honey-cinnamon syrup stores in the fridge for up to two weeks, so you can make a batch once and have lattes ready every morning of the week.
- It costs less than a dollar a cup compared to coffee shop prices, which adds up fast when you drink one every day.
- You can use any milk you like, from whole milk to oat milk to almond milk, so it works for almost every diet.
- It is the perfect cinnamon drink for warm mornings when you want something refreshing but still comforting.
Ingredients for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
Here is everything you need to make this iced honey cinnamon latte at home, and most of it is already in your pantry.
What You'll Need
Raw honey - the star ingredient here and the reason this latte tastes so different from a standard sweetened coffee. Raw honey has a deeper, more complex sweetness than white sugar. Use a good quality honey and you will taste the difference immediately.
Ground cinnamon - this goes straight into the syrup while it simmers, so every sip is evenly spiced. Use fresh cinnamon for the best flavor. Old cinnamon sitting in the back of your spice drawer will taste flat.
- 1 shot espresso or very strong brewed coffee
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey-cinnamon syrup (to taste)
- ½ cup milk of your choice
- Ice, enough to fill the glass
- For the syrup: ½ cup water, ¼ cup honey, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
See recipe card below for full measurements.
Substitutions and Variations for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Milk: swap whole milk for oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk to make this completely dairy-free. Oat milk gives the creamiest result of all the non-dairy options.
- Honey: maple syrup works as a substitute if that is what you have on hand. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious over ice.
- Espresso: if you do not have an espresso machine, use very strong brewed coffee or two tablespoons of instant espresso dissolved in a small amount of hot water.
- Cinnamon: add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to the syrup for a warm spiced version that feels closer to a chai latte.
- For a stronger honey cinnamon latte, pull two shots of espresso instead of one and add an extra half tablespoon of syrup to balance the bitterness.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Equipment for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
Small saucepan - you need this to make the honey cinnamon syrup. Any small saucepan with a heavy bottom works well for simmering the syrup without scorching it.
Espresso machine or strong coffee brewer - a single shot of espresso is the base of this latte. No espresso machine? A Moka pot, a French press with very finely ground coffee, or instant espresso powder all work well here. For more coffee drink ideas using simple equipment, my Starbucks coffee smoothie uses the same no-fuss approach.
Glass jar with a lid - for storing the syrup in the fridge. A clean mason jar works perfectly and keeps the syrup fresh for up to two weeks.
Tall glass and a long spoon or straw for stirring everything together once assembled.
How to Make Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, honey, and ground cinnamon. Stir gently until everything starts to come together, then watch for the first signs of a boil. The surface will start to bubble and the syrup will smell warm and spiced.
Step 2: Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the honey has fully dissolved and the syrup looks slightly thickened and glossy. Do not let it boil aggressively or the syrup can turn sticky and too thick.
Step 3: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool completely to room temperature. Never add hot syrup to your glass. It will melt the ice and water down the whole drink before you even take a sip.
Step 4: Brew one shot of espresso or a small cup of very strong coffee. While it is still hot, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cooled honey-cinnamon syrup until fully combined. The heat from the espresso helps the syrup blend in smoothly.
Step 5: Fill a tall glass with enough ice to reach the top. Pour the espresso and syrup mixture directly over the ice and watch it settle at the bottom of the glass.
Step 6: Pour the milk slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the ice. This creates that beautiful layered look with the espresso at the bottom and the creamy milk floating on top. Stir gently before drinking and enjoy right away.
Expert Tips for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
- Let the syrup cool completely before using it. This is the step most people skip and then wonder why their latte tastes watered down. Hot syrup melts the ice immediately and throws off the whole balance of the drink. Make the syrup the night before if you want your morning routine to be fast.
- Do not boil the syrup too hard. A gentle simmer is all you need to dissolve the honey and bloom the cinnamon flavor. Boiling it aggressively can make the syrup too thick and caramelized, which changes the flavor. Keep it at a low, steady simmer and pull it off the heat after five minutes.
- Use the strongest coffee you can make. Since you are pouring milk and ice over the espresso, a weak coffee base gets completely lost. A proper shot of espresso or very strong brewed coffee holds up beautifully against the cold milk and ice. This is the single biggest difference between a good iced latte and a great one.
- Adjust the syrup to your taste. Start with one tablespoon the first time you make this and taste it before adding more. Some people like just a hint of sweetness while others want the honey and cinnamon to come through more strongly. The syrup keeps for two weeks in the fridge so you will have plenty of chances to find your perfect ratio.
Storage Tips for Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
The honey-cinnamon syrup stores in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. Give it a quick stir before each use since the cinnamon can settle at the bottom over time.
The assembled latte is best made fresh and enjoyed right away. Once you add the ice and milk, the drink starts to dilute as the ice melts, so do not let it sit for more than 15 to 20 minutes before drinking.
Do not freeze the syrup. Honey-based syrups can crystallize in the freezer and the texture does not recover well.
FAQ about Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte
What is a latte with cinnamon and honey called?
A latte made with honey and cinnamon is most commonly called a honey cinnamon latte or a spiced honey latte. Some coffee shops have their own branded names for similar drinks, but at home the name is just a description of what is in it: espresso, milk, honey, and cinnamon.
What is a latte with cinnamon and honey called?
A latte made with honey and cinnamon is most commonly called a honey cinnamon latte or a spiced honey latte. Some coffee shops have their own branded names for similar drinks, but at home the name is just a description of what is in it: espresso, milk, honey, and cinnamon.
Are honey and cinnamon good in coffee?
Yes, they are one of the best natural flavor combinations for coffee. Honey adds a floral, complex sweetness that is very different from plain sugar, and cinnamon adds a warm spiced note that balances the bitterness of espresso. Together they make a drink that tastes layered and intentional rather than just sweet.
Can you get a honey cinnamon latte at Starbucks?
Starbucks does not currently have a honey cinnamon latte as a permanent menu item, but you can customize a drink to get something close. Ask for an iced latte with honey blend syrup and cinnamon powder on top. Making the iced honey cinnamon latte at home is actually closer to what most people are looking for and costs a fraction of the price.
Is cinnamon good in iced lattes?
Cinnamon works beautifully in iced lattes. The key is using ground cinnamon in a syrup rather than sprinkling it straight into cold milk, where it tends to clump and float on the surface. When you simmer cinnamon into a honey syrup first, the flavor distributes evenly through every sip.
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte:
📖 Recipe
Iced Honey Cinnamon Latte Recipe in 15 Min
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In your [small saucepan], combine the [water], [raw honey], and [ground cinnamon]. Give it a gentle stir over medium heat until it starts to come together. My grandmother always said never to rush a syrup, watch for those first little bubbles! Once it boils, turn the heat down and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until it's glossy and smells like a warm hug.
- Move the saucepan off the heat. It's so tempting to use it right away, but we need this to cool to room temperature first! If you pour hot syrup over your ice, it'll water down all that lovely flavor. I like to make a batch the night before and store it in a [glass jar].
- Brew your [espresso] or a very strong cup of coffee. While it's still piping hot, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of your cooled honey-cinnamon syrup. The heat from the coffee helps the [syrup] melt right in so every sip is perfectly sweet.
- Fill your tall glass with plenty of [ice]. Pour your sweetened coffee over the ice first. Now for the magic: pour your [milk] slowly over the back of a spoon. It creates those gorgeous creamy swirls that make home-cooking feel so special. Give it a quick stir and enjoy!
