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Indulge in coffee shop worthy flavours with this Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Made with roasted dandelion root tea, it's naturally caffeine-free. It's also flavoured with real cinnamon and sweetened with coconut sugar, making it an all-around healthier option.
There's nothing like a warm, creamy latte on a chilly day. Thankfully, this cozy cinnamon latte is easy to make at home with healthier ingredients.
What Makes this Cinnamon Tea Latte Healthier?
Made with nutritious dandelion root tea, this Cinnamon Latte is naturally caffeine-free. It's also sweetened with coconut sugar and spiced with real cinnamon (instead of artificial flavours).
Plus, it can be made with homemade almond, coconut or tigernut milk, making it digestible for those with dairy intolerances or allergies.
Health Benefits
Caffeine-free. Roasted dandelion root is an herbal tea that is naturally caffeine-free. It is great for those who love the rich, bold, and bitter taste of coffee but need to avoid or limit caffeine.
Supports detoxification. Dandelion root is an excellent herb that offers stimulating and protective properties for the liver and kidneys. Rather than stimulating the release of cortisol (as coffee does), it can help to flush out excess fluids, toxins and hormones.
Blood sugar balancing properties. Dandelion is high in inulin, which is a fibre that can help stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing the release of sugar into the bloodstream. It can also promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut (which can help reduce sugar cravings). True (Ceylon) cinnamon also offers blood sugar-balancing properties.
Rich in vitamins and minerals. Dandelion root is an excellent source of many nutrients, including potassium, calcium, copper, iron, vitamin C, riboflavin, vitamin B6, choline and vitamin A.
Seasonal Benefits
Spring is an excellent time to support the body's detoxification system with foods like dandelion root. It is also a great time to harvest or forage dandelion root (before it flowers and while the nutrients are still concentrated in the root).
Autumn and winter are great times to enjoy the warming and antimicrobial effects of cinnamon. Autumn is also a great time to harvest dandelion root (when the nutrients are again concentrated back in the root before winter dormancy).
How to Make a Cinnamon Latte with Dandelion Root
Making a scratch-made cinnamon dolce latte with roasted dandelion root tea is not as difficult as it may sound. You don't even need a fancy milk steamer or frother, although you can use them if you have one.
What You Will Need
Equipment
- Small pot or saucepan to make the cinnamon syrup and heat the milk.
- Wooden spoon or whisk for stirring.
- Frother or blender (optional) to give it a frothier texture.
- Kettle to boil the water.
- Mug to brew to the tea and sip your latte out of.
Ingredients
- Roasted dandelion root. You can use loose tea, ground or a tea bag. Coffee substitutes with a blend of dandelion and chicory root can also be used.
- Ground cinnamon adds an earthy sweetness with blood sugar balancing properties.
- Coconut sugar adds a natural sweetness with caramel-like notes.
- Milk adds the creaminess and fat for the froth.
- Filtered water to brew the dandelion root tea.
Step 1: Brew Tea
For a 16-oz latte, place the tea bag in a mug. If you are using loose tea, use a tea strainer that fits in your mug or a teapot with a strainer attachment. Pour ¼ cup of boiled water over. Let it steep for 3 - 5 minutes or to your desired strength. The longer you steep it, the more bold and rich the flavour will be.
If you are using fine-ground dandelion root powder or a blended instant coffee substitute, you can skip the brewing. Either mix it with the boiled water or use an extra ¼ cup of milk and stir it right into the creamer.
Step 2: Make Cinnamon Creamer
To make the creamer, add the milk, cinnamon and coconut sugar to a small saucepan. Gently whisk over low heat until it comes to a light boil or begins to steam.
Step 3: Mix Creamer & Tea
Once the creamer is mixed and warmed, you can use a handheld frother to give it a light, fluffy texture. Alternatively, you can give it a quick zip with an immersion blender to get a similar effect. It shouldn't take more than 30 seconds.
If you have a glass blender jug, you can also give it a quick blend in there. However, if you have a plastic blender jug, I would recommend blending the creamer before warming.
Whether you froth or not, this latte will still taste just as delicious. So, once your creamer is ready, pour it into your brewed tea.
Add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top if you prefer an extra special touch.
Substitutions & Variations
Raw honey or pure maple syrup are natural sweeteners that can replace coconut sugar.
Coffee or espresso can be used in place of the dandelion root tea as long as you do not need your latte to be caffeine-free.
Any milk will work for this recipe. However, using milk with a higher fat content will result in a fluffier froth. I like using coconut, tigernut or almond milk for a dairy-free version.
My Top Tips
Make sure to use roasted dandelion root, as it offers a rich, bold and bitter flavour that is similar to coffee. Unroasted dandelion tea doesn't offer the same flavour.
Use a handheld frother for an affordable, quick and easy way to get that coffee-shop-style texture.
Use organic dandelion root to avoid harmful pesticides or additives. If you are foraging your own, make sure you know the area(s) you're harvesting it from to avoid harmful pesticides and herbicides that may be sprayed. It's also important to leave some for the pollinators.
More Cozy Drinks
FAQs
Cinnamon dolce is a term for a sweet cinnamon flavour. A traditional Cinnamon Dolce Latte is made with frothed milk, espresso, and cinnamon-flavoured syrup. However, this is a healthier, caffeine-free version (or copycat) made with dandelion root tea (instead of espresso or coffee), real cinnamon, and natural coconut sugar.
Yes, dandelion root has been traditionally used for its diuretic effects. This means it can increase urine production and flush out excess fluids from the body. It can also have a mild laxative effect for some. So, it is not recommended to consume right before bedtime. It is also important to consult with your trusted healthcare practitioner if you have medical or health concerns about consuming this type of herb. It is also crucial to check that it will not interfere or react with any medications you may be taking.
Yes, dandelion root is a gentle herb that is rich in potassium, which can help support the kidneys. As mentioned above, it can help increase urine production and flush out excess fluids. That being said, if you have any medical concerns, pre-existing conditions or are on medication, it is important and advised to consult with your healthcare practitioner before consuming.
If you make this Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Latte with dandelion root tea, let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and rating below. Also, make sure you're following along on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Flipboard for more wildly nutritious recipes!
Healthy Cinnamon Dolce Latte (Caffeine-Free)
Print RecipeEquipment
- Small Pot or Saucepan
- Wooden spoon or whisk
- Frother or blender
- Kettle
- Mug
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Roasted Dandelion Root Tea (or 1 Tea Bag)
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (Ceylon)
- ¼ cup Filtered Water
- 2 teaspoon Coconut Sugar
- 2 cups Milk (I like using coconut, tigernut or almond milk for a dairy-free version.)
Instructions
- For a 16-oz latte, place the tea bag in a mug. If you are using loose tea, use a tea strainer that fits in your mug or a teapot with a strainer attachment. Pour ¼ cup of boiled water over. Let it steep for 3 - 5 minutes or to your desired strength. The longer you steep it, the more bold and rich the flavour will be.If you are using fine-ground dandelion root powder or a blended instant coffee substitute, you can skip the brewing. Either mix it with the boiled water or use an extra ¼ cup of milk and stir it right into the creamer.
- To make the creamer, add the milk, cinnamon and coconut sugar to a small saucepan. Gently whisk over low heat until it comes to a light boil or begins to steam.
- Once the creamer is mixed and warmed, you can use a handheld frother to give it a light, fluffy texture. Alternatively, you can give it a quick zip with an immersion blender to get a similar effect. It shouldn't take more than 30 seconds.If you have a glass blender jug, you can also give it a quick blend in there. However, if you have a plastic blender jug, I would recommend blending the creamer before warming.Whether you froth or not, this latte will still taste just as delicious. So, once your creamer is ready, pour it into your brewed tea.Add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top if you prefer an extra special touch.
Rate this Recipe & Share How it Turned Out!