Welcome to EnVi Eatery! In this special holiday edition, we are visiting the aesthetically-pleasing  @stuti_homecafe, who serves homemade feel-good drinks. Whether you prefer it warm or cool, stimulating or calming, there’s always a drink that suits your personal taste! Here are two holiday-themed, cinnamon-flavored recipes that Stuti Homecafe have shared with us. Give them a try this holiday and share with us how it goes!

Cinnamon Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup

What are the ingredients needed?

– 2 cups water

– 1.5 cups sugar (white granulated)

– 1 vanilla bean pod

– 5 to 6 cinnamon sticks

What are the steps of making the drink?

  • Submerge cinnamon sticks in water and bring water to a boil.
  • In the meantime, start extracting the vanilla beans from its pod. Make a slice with the knife along the pod and peel open the pod. Using the back of the knife, scrape the vanilla beans out and keep to the side. 
  • Simmer the sticks on low heat for around 5 more minutes and then take them out of the water pot. The cinnamon-infused water should be a warm brown shade. 
  • Add 1.5 cups of sugar into the water, and constantly mix to dissolve the sugar. 
  • Add the vanilla beans and the vanilla bean pod to the mixture. 
  • Mix until sugar dissolves completely, and then set aside to cool.
  • Store in a glass container and use in any drink or recipe for a festive twist!

How is this dish related to the holiday season and what was the inspiration behind this dish?

I’ve always made vanilla simple syrup with vanilla extract to add to my drinks, but this season I wanted a little bit of holiday spice. Rather than using cinnamon powder, I decided to use cinnamon sticks, and instead of vanilla extracts, I wanted to add real vanilla beans to the syrup. The result was a richer, properly infused syrup flavor. I love it!

What is the best holiday activity to do while enjoying this drink? 

For me, I just love putting on a Christmas music playlist and making anything in the kitchen.  The best part is taste-testing it with my family; it makes me happy that my creations put a smile on their face! 

Cinnamon Matcha Latte

What are the ingredients needed?

-1 tablespoon cinnamon vanilla bean simple syrup 

-1 teaspoon matcha powder

– ¾ cup milk

-ice

What are the steps of making the drink?

  • In a bowl, sift 1 teaspoon of matcha with a sieve to separate out any clumps. 
  • Add around 2 oz of hot water to the bowl. Whisk vigorously (either with a bamboo whisk, handheld milk frother or an electric mixer). 
  • In a cup, add your preferred amount of ice and 3/4 cup of your milk choice. 
  • Add 1 tablespoon of cinnamon vanilla bean simple syrup 
  • Slowly pour over your matcha. 
  • Sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon on top of the drink for taste.
  • Enjoy!

How is this dish related to the holiday season and what was the inspiration behind this dish?

I’ve always been a matcha lover and for this holiday season I wanted to add some holiday cheer to this! 

What is the best holiday activity to do while enjoying this drink? 

Sitting by the fire with a nice glass of homemade matcha with your family or friends! 

Want more recipes? Check out our recipes based off of NCT 127’s STICKER album here.