Russian Friendship Tea Mix

Russian Friendship Tea Mix

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Yield: 4cups mix

    • About This Recipe

    “This is a delicious orangey tea that just smells wonderful! I portion out some of the mix in little holiday ziploc baggies to give as gifts at the holidays. I am always surprised how many people have never had this tea. I have used this recipe for 8 years and have had many positive comments. A nice way to present this tea is to fill a zip-plastic baggie with some of the tea mix and place in a gift mug. This is an instant version of the real Russian tea, which is more like a hot fruity tea punch. Imagine a warm, sweet spiced apple cider, only with a citrusy/orange taste instead. This will not taste like a brewed black tea.The lemonade mix called for is one tiny packet, enough to make a 2 quart size pitcher (although you only use the mix dry).If you are subbing in sugar-free versions of any ingredients (which do work just fine) be aware that they will weigh less than anything made with sugar, so measuring by volume (such as US type cups and spoons) is key here if you are converting the recipe.”

    Ingredients

  • 1 -1 1/2 cupsugar( or less, to taste)
  • 2cupsinstant Tang orange drink
  • 1/2 cupsweetened iced tea mix powder
  • 1 (1/4 ounce) envelope unsweetened lemonade mix
  • 1teaspoonground cinnamon
  • 1teaspoonground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoonground cloves

    • Directions

  • Combine all ingredients well and store in an airtight container.
  • To use, fill a mug with boiling water and stir in 2-3 teaspoons of mix, to taste.
  • If all you can find is presweetened lemonade, then use the amount of dry mix needed for a 2 quart pitcher according to the package instructions and leave out the sugar.

    • Reviews

  • “We made this up and had some friends over and everyone just loved it!! It has a very nice orange, spicy flavor. Thanks for posting this recipe!”

  • “I really enjoyed this tea!!”

  • “I wonder if Karen and I went to the same university 🙂 Brings back memories of college era hayrides. I dug out my recipe – and it’s exactly the same.It’s a wonderful warmer upper and a nice combination of ingredients. Kind of sweet, kind of spicey. Do not expect it to taste like tea. There is no ingredient that overpowers the others.”

  • “I used to make this over 25 years ago, in college … and couldn’t believe I could find the recipe here.Thank you so much for providing it!It’s exactly as I remembered it.Perhaps not to everyone’s taste, but a refreshing change from the typical hot drinks.My husband, who is on chemotherapy and finds little to like, was surprised how much he enjoyed it.Next time I make it, I’ll slightly increase the amount of cinnamon and cloves, and slightly decrease the Tang.”

  • “no it doesn’t taste like real tea..it’s more of a spiced drink but it is sooooooo good!!!”

  • “Yum and delicious! I love Russian tea, and this was a great mix idea for gifts! I will be handing these out for Valentines Day! I only added 3/4 cup of sugar. It is such a warming and quick treat for these cold Wisconsin nights, but it is quite good cold too. Made and Reviewed for Comfort Cafe – Tea For Two – Thanks! :)”

  • “I have been making this recipe since college days, too.I had to twist arms to get the recipe, as the person did NOT have a Zaarian philosophy about sharing recipes!Another nice way to share this as a holiday gift is in a baby food jar.You can dress it up by tying a circle of holiday printed cloth over the lid with some ribbon.The kids always ask for this at the first sign of a cold.Think I’ll put some in DS’s next college care package.”

  • “I didn`t have unsweetened lemonade mix so I used sweetened yes along with the called amount of sugar. And it came out fabulous! I hated tang as a child was a little nervous about this but it`s great. This would be and will be made in a crock for autumn parties!”

  • “I made this to give as gifts for friends at our Girls Weekend.As recommended I reduced sugar to 3/4 cup.I also bought small decorative jars and made a gift tag with the instructions.Thanks for a great tea and gift idea!”

  • “We just made this for our Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) mommy’s group as a winter craft activity! Made neat little half-pint jars with pretty ribbons, fancy gift cards, and we went home with a great recipe and a neat little gift for a friend or neighbor! I had to come home and make a big batch for us – I can jellies etc alot so have lots of jars, and mixed mine in a quart-sized jar (this fits perfectly) with a plastic lid (available in the canning supplies – it twists on and off like a breeze, with no little metal lids etc). The zinc lids look nicer for a gift, but the plastic works great for something here at home! Super for winter dry throats, cold and flu recovery, and is low caffeine enough to have in the evenings too. I did cut the sugar down quite a bit as my Tang and lemonade mixes already included sugar. Great recipe, thank you!!”

  • “This was a lot like a favorite recipe from years ago. I did change a little:no added sugar, 2 cups UNsweetened ice tea powder, 1 container Crystal Light lemonade. It was plenty sweet and a lovely treat on a sub-zero afternoon! (Funny how everyone has different tastes about the sweetness – to each their own!)”

  • “Made this for myself and for Christmas gifts.Loved it!!I didn’t buy the sweetened tea and ended up adding more sugar.Next time I will look for the sweet tea and I’m sure it will be great.”

  • “Just what I was looking for. I halved the recipe and ground it in the blender to smooth it out. I am working on the equations for a one cup recipe, and will add to this review when I figure it out. Thank you for bringing back memories from my home church and the wonderful ladies there that served this so long ago.”

  • “I made up some of this to give to friends for Christmas.It was so good when I tried it myself, that I had to give some to them to try, and this was the perfect time to make them for the holidays.Thanks!”

  • “I’ve enjoyed this recipe.I followed the ideas of some reviewers and blended the powder in a food processor.Made for a smoother, more well-blended mix.However, I think there was too much sugar in this recipe.I’ve had to add extra unsweetened iced tea powder to dilute the sweetness.I would use the recipe again, but cut way back on the sugar.”

  • “I was so happy to find this recipe!My Nana used to make this for me as a child and I lost the recipe several years ago.This is a delicious, autumn tea and anyone whom I have ever given it to has absolutely adored it!”

  • “Very nice hot cup of tea.I made this up and ran it thru my coffee grinder to mix everything up and to get a smoother texture.But, I found when doing this that one teaspoon is enough.I left out the sugar completely as I was using sweetened lemonade and unsweetened tea and found it to be sweet enough for my tastes.This will make a lovely drink this fall/winter that I will enjoy.Thank you for posting Heatherfeather.”

  • “I had gastric bypass about one and one half years ago and I’m always looking for new drinks that i can drink all day long. I replaced the tang with crystal light(two tubs of orange and one lemonade), the sugar with spenda and the sweented tea with decaf instant tea mix. It tastes great and the aroma is even better.”

  • “DH made this for gifts.It is really good, and the kids really liked it.However, I found it too sweet.”

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