Russian Tea: Our Favorite Warm Up Drink

Some of the best things about the weather turning cold are the beverages that are made to help warm you up. One of my favorites is Russian Tea.

Russian Tea is similar to wassail or a spiced up apple cider, but if you ask the farm boys that live here, it’s called “Creative Juice”— it’s what they request when they want to think better.

Apparently, Russian Tea is powerful stuff.

It’s also a soothing hot beverage for when you’ve got a sore throat or a cold—which is the other time the farm boys request this drink.

Mama…bring me (cough) the Russian (cough) Tea…

Also, it just tastes good. It’s great to curl up with a mug of this and a blanket and a book. That’s why we always have a jar of Russian Tea mix in the cupboard when the air starts to turn crispy and the ground gets frosty.

Oh. And why is this drink of awesomeness called Russian Tea? Beats me.

Research tells us that this yummy awesome recipe has literally nothing to do with Russia. It didn’t come from Russia. It’s mostly consumed in the United States around Christmastime, and first appeared in a (American) recipe book in the 1920s.

Go figure. So call it whatever you want—Russian Tea or Mug of Awesomeness. It doesn’t matter. Just go make some for yourself!

Here’s how you can make your own…

Ingredients for Russian Tea

1 cup Tang (yes, the orange powdered drink mix that you didn’t think was still around.)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup instant black tea (or unsweetened unflavored instant iced tea)
1/2 tsp. ground cloves

How to make Russian Tea

The great thing about this recipe is it’s so easy.

Just gather all those ingredients, mix everything up together, and put it in a lovely jar.

This recipe makes about about 2 1/2 cups of drink mix. To prepare a mug of awesomeness, stir 2 to 3 tsp. (or more) of drink mix into mug of hot water.

Can you say perfect idea for homemade gifts? Get on that!

Mmmmm. Russian tea.

Oh. And after you make this, don’t forget to tell your kids they can’t drink it all at once.

Unless, of course, they tell you it helps them think better.

Print

Russian Tea

One of my favorite things to drink when the temperatures start to drop, reminiscent of old time Wassail.

Servings 2 1/2 cups of mix

Ingredients

• 1 cup Tang
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup instant black tea granules or unsweetened unflavored instant iced tea
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together in an airtight container.

2. Use 2-3 tsp. per mug of hot water (or more, to taste).

NOTE: Powdered lemonade mix can be used if Tang is not available.

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