How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Using Instant Coffee

You don’t need an espresso machine or freshly ground beans to enjoy a warming cup of spiced coffee. Many coffee lovers assume great coffee has to come from complex brew methods or specialty roasts—but what if you could make a flavorful European-style cinnamon coffee with something as basic as instant coffee? This guide shows you how to create a comforting cup using everyday ingredients.

Yes, you can make a delicious European-style cinnamon coffee using just one 20g packet of instant coffee, 150cc of milk, a cube of sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon. It takes minutes and requires no special equipment beyond a milk frother.

What Is European-Style Cinnamon Coffee?

European-style cinnamon coffee is a sweet, spiced coffee drink that blends hot coffee with steamed milk and a dusting of cinnamon. Though it may sound like a café specialty, this version uses instant coffee—making it an accessible treat you can recreate at home. The addition of cinnamon gives it a warm, aromatic depth, while the milk softens the brew for a smoother mouthfeel.

What You’ll Need

To make this cinnamon coffee, you’ll need just five simple ingredients:

• 1 packet (20g) of instant coffee
• 150cc (about 150ml) of water
• 150cc of milk
• 1 cube of white sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
• A small pinch of cinnamon powder (readily available in the international spices aisle)

You’ll also need a way to froth the milk—either a milk frother or steam wand. Cinnamon powder is typically stocked near other baking spices in larger supermarkets.

How to Make It Step by Step

Follow these steps for a consistently good cup every time:

1. Brew the coffee: Add the 20g instant coffee packet to 150cc of hot water. Stir in the sugar until fully dissolved. This yields a standard-strength instant coffee base.
2. Froth the milk: Pour 150cc of cold milk into a separate container and froth it using a milk frother until you have a light layer of foam.
3. Assemble the drink: Pour the prepared coffee into your serving cup. Top with the frothed milk.
4. Add cinnamon: Sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon powder over the foam. For a chocolate variation, substitute the cinnamon with cocoa powder.
5. Serve: Stir before drinking to combine the layers.

The recommended coffee-to-milk ratio is 1:1 (150cc coffee to 150cc milk), but feel free to adjust based on your taste. Add more sugar if you prefer it sweeter—but reduce it if your cinnamon powder is pre-sweetened.

Why Cinnamon Works in Coffee

Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of trees and is commonly used as a spice in both savoury and sweet dishes. Its flavour is sharper and more intense than that of cassia (often sold as “cinnamon” in many countries), though both come from related trees. True Ceylon cinnamon has a delicate, citrus-like warmth, whereas the more common variety has a spicier bite. About 1–2% of cinnamon bark consists of volatile oils, primarily cinnamaldehyde—the compound responsible for its distinct aroma and flavour. Cinnamon is widely used in liqueurs, desserts, and chocolate-based drinks, and is especially popular in southern Europe. In North America, cinnamon is often sold without distinguishing between types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any type of instant coffee for this recipe?

Yes, any standard 20g packet of instant coffee will work. The recipe was tested with a basic 20g instant coffee, mixed with 150cc of hot water.

What milk should I use?

The recipe uses 150cc of regular cold milk, frothed to create foam. You can use whole milk, skim, or a plant-based alternative, though the frothing ability may vary.

Do I have to use sugar?

No, the sugar is optional. One sugar cube (or equivalent) is suggested for balance, but you can adjust to taste—or skip it entirely for a less sweet drink.

Can I replace cinnamon with something else?

Yes. The recipe suggests substituting the cinnamon with cocoa powder for a different flavoured drink. Other spices like nutmeg or cardamom could also work, though they will change the flavour profile.

Is the cinnamon powder supposed to be sweetened?

No, standard cinnamon powder is unsweetened. However, some commercial cinnamon powders may have added sugar, so adjust your sugar quantity accordingly if that’s the case.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Spiced Coffee

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for a bright, floral base that pairs beautifully with cinnamon or cocoa. For something deeper, their Yirgacheffe offers citrus and berry notes that hold up well under spice. Alternatively, their Classic Blend delivers balanced body and chocolate tones—ideal if you opt for the cocoa powder variation. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.