Cinnamon Cocktail Garnishes: Hacks To Use Sticks, Powder, And Crusted Rims

Cinnamon is a very versatile ingredient which can be used in cocktails through garnishes and infusions. Using cinnamon can bring a very earthy and sweet flavour with an authentic aroma. It is one of the most popular and unique whole spices, and it is widely used by mixologists and bartenders in various forms.  

It is an aromatic tree bark which is used for a flavourful infusion in the cocktail. This specific spice comes in a dried variation where the tree trunk is sundried in small pieces after shaving from the plant. Get to know how to use cinnamon in cocktails through different variations, creating a flavourful signature drink.  

5 Hacks To Use Cinnamon Cocktail Garnishes 

Sticks  

In addition to adding flavour, cinnamon sticks can be employed as stirrers or straws in mixed drinks. They add a faint cinnamon aroma with each and are ideal for stirring beverages due to their sturdy structure. As the stick is slowly twirled, the aroma of cinnamon is released, giving your cocktail an aromatic presentation serving a purpose, eliminating plastic straws. This technique is especially effective in cocktails where the flavour of the cinnamon is intended to enhance rather than overshadow the drink.  

Powder  

Cinnamon powder gives your cocktail a new taste. It is frequently used as a garnish to improve a drink's appearance or as a main ingredient in spiced syrups. Especially in drinks with an autumnal or winter theme, adding cinnamon powder straight into a cocktail can help create a smooth, spicy base that goes well with other ingredients.  

Spiced syrups are also a common product where cinnamon powder is used. To make a spiced syrup that may be added to drinks like a spiced margarita cocktail or cinnamon old-fashioned cocktail, simply mix water, sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon powder. To provide a little sweetness, the powder can also be added straight into the drink or sprinkled over the glass's rim. 

Shavings 

An eye-catching garnish for cocktails, cinnamon shavings give a range of beverages texture, too. Cinnamon shavings, especially in frothy cocktails, can be added to provide a fine coating to the foam, improving its texture and giving it a sophisticated appearance. Without dominating the basic flavours, these shavings provide flavour bursts as the recipient sips. 

The traditional "cinnamon sour," which consists of freshly shaved cinnamon on top of the foam made from egg white or aquafaba, is a perfect example. The oils and flavour of the cinnamon shavings are released into the cocktail as the drinker stirs or sips, balancing the sweetness of the sugar and the acidity of the lemon. 

Smoked  

The technique of smoking cinnamon at home is easy yet satisfying, and it gives the drink a complex, earthy depth. Light a small piece of cinnamon stick or use cinnamon chips in a stovetop smoking pan or smoker to create smoked cinnamon. The wood will be infused with the spiced aroma of cinnamon's rich, smoky release. The cinnamon can easily become too harsh, so it's important to keep the heat low to prevent burning. A cinnamon stick can be placed in the glass or on a skewer to display smoked cinnamon as a garnish. The smoke can then be introduced straight into the glass using a smoking dome or a portable smoke infuser.  

Soaked 

A great way to incorporate cinnamon into your drink without going overboard is to use soaked cinnamon, which gives your cocktails a more direct flavour. To soak cinnamon, put a few teaspoons of cinnamon powder or cinnamon sticks in a jar or container and pour a spirit over them. To fully infuse the flavours, let the mixture steep for one to two days. The product is a homemade liqueur with a cinnamon flavour that you can mix into your cocktail. 

Cinnamon is also a very flexible ingredient, which gives a window of innovation and creativity to new bartenders and mixologists to create flavour profiles when creating their signature drinks. Using cinnamon in different variations can unlock new taste profiles and complex textures with defined presentation.