Add cinnamon sticks while coffee steeps, then remove them and filter the brew. Use sticks instead of ground cinnamon for a cleaner cup and a more controllable flavor.
Start with coffee, water and cinnamon sticks
For a practical small batch, combine 1 cup coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups cold drinking water and 1 to 2 whole cinnamon sticks in a clean covered jar. This makes a strong brew that you can dilute by taste. Break one stick once if you want a more noticeable flavor; avoid powdered cinnamon, which is hard to filter and can make cold brew feel gritty.
Steep covered in the refrigerator
Refrigerate the closed jar for about 12 to 18 hours. The time is a starting range rather than a guaranteed ideal: grind, roast, water and preference all influence flavor. Taste after 12 hours and extend the steep if needed. Do not leave brewed coffee sitting uncovered on a warm counter for extended periods.
Remove the sticks, then filter carefully
Lift out cinnamon sticks and pour the coffee through a fine-mesh sieve followed by a paper coffee filter if you want a cleaner cup. A paper filter may run slowly when fine sediment clogs it; let it drain rather than squeezing grounds through. Filter into a clean pitcher and keep chilled.
Serve a glass and adjust the strength
Start with equal parts strong concentrate and cold water or milk over ice, then adjust. If the brew tastes too woody, use less cinnamon or a shorter steep next time; if it tastes muddy, use a coarser grind and paper filter. Cinnamon adds aroma but does not replace sugar or milk in a recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ground cinnamon?
You can, but powder floats, clumps and passes through some strainers. Whole sticks generally produce a cleaner drink.
Should cinnamon cold brew be stored in the refrigerator?
Yes. Store it covered and chilled; make small batches you can use promptly rather than relying on an arbitrary shelf-life claim.
Related reading: Cold brew with oat milk.
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