Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado

This comforting beverage combines the robust intensity of a double espresso with the creamy texture of steamed oat milk. The natural sweetness of honey and the warming spice of cinnamon are subtly infused, creating a sophisticated and satisfying coffee experience. It's a modern, dairy-free take on the classic cortado, offering a harmonious blend of bold coffee and gentle sweetness.
Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado is classified as a modern coffee drink. It builds upon the classic Spanish cortado but incorporates contemporary, dairy-free ingredients and flavor profiles popular in third-wave coffee culture.

Serving

Served hot in a small, pre-warmed Gibraltar glass, this is a non-alcoholic coffee drink with a small volume but a rich, concentrated flavor profile.
Serving size
Approximately 120-135 ml / 4-4.5 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Hot
Glass type
Gibraltar Glass
Glass treatment
Warmed up

Backstory

The Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado is not a drink with a long, storied history but rather a product of the modern specialty coffee movement. It emerged from the desire to create complex, flavorful, and dairy-free alternatives to traditional espresso drinks. Baristas began combining popular ingredients like oat milk, honey, and cinnamon to enhance the classic cortado, resulting in this popular and cozy creation.
Origin
This drink originated in specialty coffee shops across North America and Europe in the late 2010s, reflecting the rise in popularity of oat milk and craft coffee beverages. There is no single creator, as it evolved organically within the barista community.

Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado

This drink is most commonly known as the Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado, a descriptive name highlighting its key ingredients. Variations like 'Oat Milk Honey Spice Cortado' or 'Honey Cinnamon Oat Cortado' are also used, emphasizing the warming spice and sweet honey flavors.
Original name
Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado
Alternative names
  • Oat Milk Honey Spice Cortado
  • Honey Cinnamon Oat Cortado

Characteristics overview

This cortado boasts a smooth, velvety texture with a flavor profile balancing the bitterness of espresso with the sweetness of honey and oat milk, all enhanced by a warm cinnamon aroma. The aftertaste is pleasantly sweet and spicy, making it a perfect warming drink for any season.
Flavor
Coffee, Sweet, Spicy, Creamy, Nutty
Aroma
Roasted Coffee, Cinnamon, Sweet Honey, Toasted Oats
Taste balance
Bitter, Sweet
Aftertaste
Lingering, Sweet, Spicy
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Light Brown, Creamy Head, Often with Latte Art
Texture
Smooth, Silky, Velvety
Seasonality
Warming, Autumnal, Year-round comfort

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, with a harmonious balance of coffee bitterness, honey sweetness, and cinnamon spice, all enveloped in a rich creaminess. It is a non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe calls for a simple yet elegant combination of a double espresso, an equal amount of barista-grade oat milk, honey for sweetness, and a pinch of cinnamon for warmth.
  • Double Espresso60 ml / 2 oz
    Freshly pulled from a medium to dark roast bean is recommended.
  • Oat Milk60 ml / 2 oz
    Use a barista-grade oat milk for best steaming results. For a gluten-free drink, ensure the oat milk is certified gluten-free.
  • Honey5 ml / 1 teaspoon
    Adjust to taste. For a vegan version, substitute with maple syrup.
  • Ground Cinnamon1 pinch
    For mixing in, plus extra for garnish.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

You will need an espresso machine equipped with a steam wand to prepare the coffee and steam the milk. A milk pitcher is also essential for achieving the correct texture.
  • Espresso Machine with Steam Wand: For pulling the espresso shot and steaming the milk.
  • Milk Pitcher: For steaming the oat milk.
  • Gibraltar Glass: For serving the drink.

Instructions

The process involves pulling a double espresso, mixing in honey and cinnamon, and then topping it with an equal amount of perfectly steamed oat milk. A final dusting of cinnamon completes this simple yet elegant coffee drink.
1. Pre-warm your Gibraltar glass by filling it with hot water and letting it sit for a minute, then discard the water.
2. Pull a double shot of espresso (60 ml / 2 oz) directly into the warmed glass.
3. Add the honey and a pinch of ground cinnamon to the espresso and stir gently to combine.
4. Pour the oat milk (60 ml / 2 oz) into a milk pitcher and steam it to a velvety microfoam, reaching a temperature of about 60-65°C (140-150°F). Avoid making it too foamy.
5. Gently pour the steamed oat milk over the espresso, integrating it fully. If you are skilled, you can pour a small latte art design.
6. Garnish with a final light dusting of ground cinnamon on top.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, comforting flavors.

Garnishing

A light dusting of ground cinnamon is the classic garnish, enhancing the aroma and flavor. Skilled baristas can also pour simple latte art into the small glass.
  • Dusting of Cinnamon: Lightly sprinkle ground cinnamon over the top of the finished drink.
  • Latte Art: If desired, pour the steamed milk to create a simple latte art design.

Dietary Information

This drink is dairy-free, egg-free, and vegetarian but contains caffeine and is not vegan due to honey. Use certified gluten-free oat milk for a gluten-free version.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is relatively low in calories, with around 70-90 kcal per serving. Most of the calories come from carbohydrates and sugars found in the oat milk and honey.
Calories
Averagely 70-90 kcal / 293-377 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-14 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-12 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect as a special morning coffee or a comforting afternoon pick-me-up. Its warm, spicy notes make it particularly suitable for cozy autumn days or a relaxing visit to a favorite café.
  • Morning Coffee
  • Afternoon Pick-me-up
  • Cozy Autumn Day
  • Cafe Visit

Pairing suggestions

The Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado pairs beautifully with light pastries and baked goods that complement its flavor profile. Consider serving it alongside biscotti, an oatmeal cookie, or a warm cinnamon roll for a delightful treat.
  • Biscotti
  • Oatmeal Cookie
  • Almond Croissant
  • Cinnamon Roll

Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado: A Cozy Coffee Creation

The Cinnamon Honey Oat Milk Cortado is a modern classic in the world of specialty coffee, offering a perfect marriage of bold espresso and creamy, plant-based milk. Its warmth comes not just from its temperature, but from the comforting notes of sweet honey and aromatic cinnamon. This small but mighty beverage is ideal for those seeking a sophisticated, dairy-free coffee experience without overwhelming sweetness. It's a balanced, flavorful, and stylish drink that showcases the versatility of a simple cortado.

Similar Drinks

Cortado

The classic version, made with espresso and steamed whole milk without any added sweeteners or spices.

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