This Russian Tea Recipe is a Citrus Spiced Tea popular in America, especially during the holidays. A comforting winter drink usually made from Iced Tea and Tang, However this recipes made from scratch! A comforting and warming steeped spiced tea recipe with authentic flavors and no artificial ingredients!
Russian Tea always tastes best when made from scratch, without any artificial flavors. An easy mix of Teabags, Citrus and Spices. All you need is 3 Oranges and 2 Lemons to make a fantastic Citrus Tea Beverage. Steep, Strain, Sweeten and Serve, it's that easy!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Healthy - unlike the store-bought versions, this is a wholesome, naturally flavored tea with no additives or preservatives
- Festive - with an aroma that fills the room, perfect for holiday gatherings or spending a cozy night by the fireplace
- Fast and Easy - quick to make with everyday ingredients that you already have in your pantry, plus easy to follow instructions and video
Ingredients
- Black Tea bags
- Orange Slices
- Lemon Slices
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Whole Cloves
- Ground Nutmeg
- Sugar to taste
- Water
How to Make Russian Tea
- Simmer - in a large pot, combine Water, Orange Slices, Lemon Slices, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg and Sugar and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes and remove from heat.
- Brew - add Tea Bags to the mixture and steep covered with lid for about 5 minutes.
- Strain - using a Scoop or Slotted Spoon, remove the Fruit, Spices and Tea Bags (avoid squeezing out the bitter tannins out of the Tea Bags).
- Serve - taste and adjust Sugar to taste. Serve immediately, reheat as necessary.
Russian Tea Variations
- Herbal Russian Tea - substitute Black Tea with Rooibos Tea, Hibiscus Tea or Chamomile Tea
- Apple Cider Tea - mix through Hot Apple Cider for an Fall inspired tea
- Iced Russian Tea - chill tea and serve over ice for a refreshing drink
- Honey Russian Tea - sweeten with Honey, Maple Syrup or Stevia as a Sugar Substitute
Russian Tea Serving Suggestions
- Party Drinks
- Scones
- Russian Honey Cookies (Pryaniki)
- Tea Sandwiches
- Tea Cakes or Shortbread Cookies
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Perfect for Parties - keep warm in a Slow Cooker or a Thermal Carafe
- Cheesecloth - strain through a cheesecloth to remove pulp and spices from the tea mixture
- Black Tea - Only use regular Black Tea, avoid flavored Earl Grey teas
- Real Oranges - don't add Orange Juice when making Russian Tea. Orange Juice overpowers the recipe, with Oranges Slices adding the right balance
- Make Ahead of Time - perfect drink to make ahead of time and re-heat when ready to serve
Is Russian Tea Really Russian?
Not at all. Popularized by American South church cookbooks in the 1960's. Specifically when powdered Tang Orange Drink and Instant Lipton Iced Tea were introduced as the base of this spiced tea mixture. Inspired by how Russians drink their tea, with a Samovar and a slice of Lemon.
Russian Tea Recipe with Tang
A convenient tea mixture that's made in seconds by combining all the dry ingredients. Just place 2 heaping teaspoons of tea mix into a cup of hot water and enjoy! Here's all you need to make the powdered version of this recipe.
- 2 cups - Instant Lemon Iced Tea Mix
- 2 cups - Tang Drink Powder
- 1 cup - Sugar
- 1 teaspoon - Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon - Ground Cloves
Storage and Reheating
- Fridge - place cooled tea in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Enjoy within 3 days.
- Reheating - place in a saucepan and heat gently before serving. Alternatively, heat in microwave for 1 minute, and then in additional 30 second bursts.
Holiday Drinks You'll Love
- Hot Apple Cider
- Zavarka - Traditional Russian Tea
- German Mulled Wine
- Christmas Punch with Cranberries
- Homemade Non-Alcoholic Eggnog
- Russian Sea Buckthorn Tea
- Homemade Cranberry Juice
- Thyme Tea
- Spiced Pear Vodka
A heartwarming winter drink the whole family will enjoy. Spiced Orange Tea warms you up from the inside out, perfect on a cold evening, and tastes even better when made from scratch. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Ingredients
- 8 cups Water
- 4 Black Tea Bags
- 3 Oranges sliced
- 2 Lemons sliced
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
- 8 Whole Cloves
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ cup Sugar to taste
Instructions
- Simmer - in a large pot, combine Water, Orange Slices, Lemon Slices, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg and Sugar and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes and remove from heat.
- Brew - add Tea Bags to the mixture and steep covered with lid for about 5 minutes.
- Strain - using a Scoop or Slotted Spoon, remove the Fruit, Spices and Tea Bags (avoid squeezing out the bitter tannins out of the Tea Bags).
- Serve - taste and adjust Sugar to taste. Serve immediately, reheat as necessary.
Video
©PetersFoodAdventures.com *updated November 2024
