Russian Tea Recipe

This Hot Russian Tea Mix is the perfect blend of bright citrus and warm spices all in one mug. This vintage-inspired drink combines Tang, instant tea and lemonade mix, and cozy spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.

This Hot Russian Tea Mix is a cozy blend of bright citrus and warm spices in one nostalgic mug. Made with Tang, Country Time Half & Half, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg, this easy vintage-inspired drink mix is perfect for chilly days and holiday gifting. Just add hot water and enjoy!

What is Russian tea?

Despite the name, this sweet and spiced citrus tea is actually a Southern American tradition. Its roots trace back to the late 1800s, when Americans began imitating the Russian custom of drinking black tea with lemon and sugar. By the 1960s, with instant tea and Tang orange drink powder readily available, home cooks started blending those convenience products with warming spices to create a dry mix that could be stirred into hot water anytime. This blend later became known as “Friendship Tea” and was often gifted in mason jars during the holidays.

Why you’ll love this tea recipe

• It’s incredibly easy to make and serve. Just combine all the dry ingredients, store the mix in an airtight container, and stir a few spoonfuls into boiling water whenever you want a cup.
• It makes a wonderful homemade gift. This recipe yields enough mix to fill several jars, making it perfect for holiday gifting. Package it in glass jars with a ribbon and a small tag explaining how to brew it.
• It’s cozy, warming, and full of nostalgia. The citrusy orange flavor, the rich instant tea, and the comforting spices come together in a mug of pure winter warmth.

Ingredients needed to make Russian tea

• Sugar: This sweetens the mix and balances the tart citrus powders. Use more or less to taste.
• Instant Tang orange drink: This is the base of the citrus flavor and gives the tea its bright orange color.
• Country Time Sweetened iced tea mix powder & lemonade: Adds the tea flavor and a bit of extra sweetness and lemonade brings a tart, refreshing lemon note that keeps the drink from being too sweet.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds a warm, sweet spice that’s essential to the cozy flavor profile.
• Ground allspice: Contributes a deep, complex warmth that rounds out the blend.
• Ground cloves: A little goes a long way, adding a pungent, aromatic kick.
• Nutmeg: Warm and cozy spice!

How do you make Russian tea  

Combine the dry mix:

1. Add the Tang, Country Time Half & Half Lemonade Iced Tea Mix, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and saltto a food processor or blender.
2. Pulse several times until the mixture is very fine and evenly blended. This helps evenly distribute the spices and allows the mix to blend more easily into the hot water.
3. Transfer the Russian Tea Mix to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.

To make a cup of tea:

1. Fill a mug with 1 cup hot or boiling water.
2. Add 2 tablespoons Russian Tea Mix and stir until well combined.
3. Taste and add a little more mix if you prefer a stronger or sweeter tea.
4. Serve warm and enjoy!

Pro Tip: This mix also makes a wonderful homemade holiday gift. Spoon it into a pretty jar and add a tag with the simple directions: “Add 2 tablespoons mix to 1 cup hot water.”

Serving

This tea is sweet, citrusy, and warmly spiced, so the best pairings either echo those warm spice notes or balance the sweetness with something savory.

For sweet pairings, serve this tea with apple desserts like strudel, cake, or crisp, lightly sweet Russian tea cakes, honey cake, lemon curd cake or lemon bars, and gingerbread or spice cookies. 

For savory options, pair it with salmon rolls, tea sandwiches, stuffed mushrooms, or a simple cheese and cracker board.

Sandy’s tips and substitutions:

• Adjust the sweetness: The amount of sugar can easily be reduced or increased to suit your preferences. Start with the full amount, taste a cup, and adjust future batches accordingly.
• Blender: Optional to use a processor or blender. Pulse several times until the mixture is very fine and evenly blended. This helps distribute the spices throughout the powdered mix and helps everything blend more evenly into the hot water.
• Storage: Keep the tea mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will stay fresh for several weeks to a few months.
• Gift giving: Divide the mix into small mason jars or sealed bags, about ½ to 1 cup per portion. Attach a small card with brewing instructions for a thoughtful homemade present.
• Serving idea: This mix isn’t just for hot tea. In the summer, stir it into cold water or iced tea for a refreshing citrus spiced drink.

For more homemade holiday gifts, try our Coconut Almond Granola, Lavender Tea Bread, M and M Christmas Cookies, and Apple Pie in a Jar Filling. Or, another hot beverage, Hot Buttered Rum Mix.

More homemade beverages you may want to try:

• Easy Raspberry Lemonade Recipe
• The Best Holiday Sangria
• Blueberry Cardamom Vanilla Smoothie
• Virgin Mimosa Drink For Mother’s Day

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Russian Tea Recipe

Sandy Coughlin

This Russian Tea Recipe is a spiced tea recipe made with tang for a cup of hot tea. The "powder mix" makes a great gift for the holidays. Makes about 3 cups.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Yield: 24

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Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 2 cups Tang orange drink, You can also use Zero sugar Tang
• 1 cup Country Time Half Lemonade & Half Iced Tea Drink Mix
• 1 ½ tsp  ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp  ground allspice
• ½ tsp  ground cloves
• ⅛ tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Equipment

• Vitamix

Instructions

 

• Add the Tang, Country Time Half & Half, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and salt to a food processor or blender.
• Pulse several times until the mixture is very fine and evenly blended. This helps distribute the spices throughout the drink mix and helps everything blend more evenly when added to hot water.
• Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.
• To Serve
• Start with 2 tablespoons mix per 1 cup hot water, stir well, and taste. Add another tablespoon if you like it stronger and sweeter.

Notes

reposted from Jan 2017 – new updated recipe!

Sandy’s tips:

• Adjust the sweetness: The amount of sugar can easily be reduced or increased to suit your preferences. Start with the full amount, taste a cup, and adjust future batches accordingly.
• Blender: Optional to use a processor or blender. Pulse several times until the mixture is very fine and evenly blended. This helps distribute the spices throughout the powdered mix and helps everything blend more evenly into the hot water.
• Storage: Keep the tea mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will stay fresh for several weeks to a few months.
• Gift giving: Divide the mix into small mason jars or sealed bags, about ½ to 1 cup per portion. Attach a small card with brewing instructions for a thoughtful homemade present.
• Serving idea: This mix isn’t just for hot tea. In the summer, stir it into cold water or iced tea for a refreshing citrus spiced drink.

Cuisine: American

Course: beverage

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