Russian Tea is a cozy citrus-spice tea mix made from pantry staples like Tang, lemonade mix, and instant tea. A spoonful stirred into hot water creates a warming drink that tastes like mulled cider with a citrus kick. Best of all, the dry mix lasts for months on the shelf - perfect for sipping all winter long or giving as a thoughtful homemade gift.
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The Story Behind Russian Tea
I first tasted Russian Tea thanks to Mrs. Houston, my mom's best friend. Betty was talented, cranky, and always had a knack for introducing new traditions into our home - like Nuts-n-Bolts snack mix at Christmas, and this spiced instant tea.
The recipe is very much a product of the 1960s, when convenience foods were king. The star ingredient, Tang, was famously marketed as the drink "the astronauts took to the moon." While my Depression-era mom was skeptical of anything unfamiliar, she figured if John Glenn drank Tang, it must be worth a try.
Do Russians Really Drink Russian Tea?
Not likely. My Eastern European in-laws had never even heard of it. Despite the name, this recipe is American through and through. Early versions-made with brewed black tea, orange juice, and spices - show up in community cookbooks from the 1940s. When instant tea and Tang became widely available in the late '50s and '60s, the dry mix version took off, especially around the holidays.
Whatever its origins, Russian Tea is just about the coziest non-alcoholic beverage I know of. It tastes a lot like mulled cider, with a warm, citrusy kick.
Ingredients You'll Need
Use whatever products/brands are most familiar and accessible to you. We include the brands we use here for reference only.
- Orange drink mix - Tang is the classic choice.
- Instant tea - plain or with lemon, but not sweet tea mix.
- Lemonade mix - either sweetened or unsweetened (add sugar if needed). We most often use Country Time Lemonade Mix, but have used Wyler's in the past.
- Sugar - optional: use only if your lemonade mix is unsweetened.
- Warm spices - cinnamon, cloves, and sometimes a little nutmeg.
How to Make Russian Tea Mix
- In a large bowl, combine orange drink mix, instant tea, lemonade mix, sugar (if needed), and spices.
- Store the mix in an airtight container.
How to Serve It
To make a cup: stir 1 heaping tablespoon of mix (or to taste) into 1 cup hot water. Adjust the strength to your liking.
Storage & Shelf Life
Russian Tea mix will keep for several months when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Mason jars, tins, or even resealable glass canisters work well. If gifting, be sure to include a "best by" date about 3-4 months out so the recipient enjoys it at its freshest.
Tips & Variations
- Adjust the sweetness - If you prefer a less sweet tea, cut back on the sugar or use an unsweetened lemonade mix.
- Try different spices - Cinnamon and cloves are classic, but a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or even ginger adds a new twist.
- Make it decaf - Use decaffeinated instant tea if you want a caffeine-free version for evening sipping.
- Single-serve packs - Scoop the mix into small zip-top bags or envelopes for travel or lunchbox-friendly portions.
- Iced (Russian) Tea - Stir the mix into cold water with ice for a refreshing summer drink.
- DIY blends - Experiment with swapping part of the Tang for a powdered orange drink with vitamin C or a natural brand if you want to avoid artificial flavors.
Serving Ideas
This spiced tea mix is one of those drinks that feels right for almost any occasion:
- Serve it at book clubs or holiday open houses for an easy crowd-pleaser.
- Stir up a mug while wrapping gifts or baking cookies.
- Offer it alongside a plate of shortbread or gingerbread for a simple afternoon treat.
- Keep a jar at work for a cozy pick-me-up that tastes like home.
Gift It for the Holidays
This mix makes a charming hostess, housewarming, or holiday gift. Pack it in jars or tins and tie on a ribbon with a label or recipe tag. Add a mug or a small whisk for an extra-special touch.
Homemade Gift Ideas
Russian Tea mix is budget-friendly, thoughtful, and just nostalgic enough to make people smile. Package it in:
- Mason jars with ribbon and a tag.
- Small tins for stocking stuffers.
- Gift baskets paired with homemade cookies, banana bread, or a festive mug.
A simple jar of this mix with a handwritten recipe card can be just as meaningful as any store-bought present.
Free Printable Gift Tags
To make gifting even easier, I've created free printable gift tags that you can download and use:
Just print them on cardstock, cut them out, and tie them on with twine or ribbon. They're designed to include the simple directions so your friends and family can enjoy a cup of Russian Tea anytime.
Featured Reader Review
"Thank you so much for reminding me about this childhood favorite. A sweet neighborhood mom always had a thermos of this in her car when she would pick us up from ice skating or sledding. I am going to serve this to my grand kids and start some new memories. I found Tang and instant Lipton Lemon iced tea mix at my local Safeway grocery store in Eastern Oregon."
- Kris
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Russian Tea Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry orange drink mix i.e. Tang
- 1 cup instant tea
- 2 cups sugar **
- 1.25 ounces package unsweetened package lemonade mix **
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon heaping
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.
- To Serve: Stir 1 heaping tablespoon mix into 1 cup hot water.
Notes
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Love it? Pin it! If you love this Russian Tea recipe, make sure to save it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!
Originally published October 8, 2014. Post has been updated with new content, images, and recipe instructions to improve reader experience.
UPDATE: This post was first published on The Good Hearted Woman, November 23, 2015.
Darcy says
Hi, THANK YOUUU for posting this recipe. It carries many cherished memories for me. Can you clear this up for me? Do I add;
2 C Tang
2 C sweetened ice tea and
2 C lemonade mix? Or 1C of the iced tea and 1C of lemonade, to your recipe?
Renée B. says
The only variable is the sugar source. The amount of Tang and ice tea mix never changes.
If you use unsweetened lemonade powder, simply follow the recipe as written on the recipe card (i.e., 2 cups of Tang, 1 cup of iced tea mix, 2 cups of sugar, one 1.25 ounces package of unsweetened lemonade mix, plus spices).
If you use sweetened lemonade mix, use 2 cups of Tang, 1 cup of instant tea, and 2 cups of sweetened lemonade mix. Do not add any additional sugar to the mix until you test the sweetness level. Add additional sugar to taste.
Hope this helps.
Tammi says
Hey if I use the country time lemonade how much do I add for the Russian. Tea? Do I use the 2 cups like if it was regular and I added sugar?
Renée B. says
Add 2 cups of the Country Time powder and don't add any additional sugar. Test the sweetness level by mixing up a little in some hot water. Give it a taste and decide if you need to add any additional sugar.
Lynn Crawley says
What is 1.25 oz of lemonade?
Renée B. says
It’s a small package of unsweetened lemonade (like a package of unsweetened Koolaid).
From the rector notes: “Use a dry, sugar-added plain lemonade mix, or use a dry unsweetened mix and add 2 cups of sugar. Do not add sugar with sweetened lemonade mix. “
Don Banks says
Very good for a dry or (Instant mix) but I much prefer the pineapple juice, lemon juice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, 3 fam size tea bags with a small can of orange juice concentrate mixed in. I had a friend who did the instant mix with tang, and it's handy and easy to use on the run but if you have time or stay home....the original 'brewed' is far better.
Renée B. says
Pineapple juice and fresh spices sound like a delicious option for a wet mix to drink in the moment, but comparing them is like comparing pineapples to oranges. This dry mix is designed to be shelf-steady, for mixing, and gift giving.
Kris says
Thank you so much for reminding me about this childhood favorite. A sweet neighborhood mom always had a thermos of this in her car when she would pick us up from ice skating or sledding. I am going to serve this to my grand kids and start some new memories.
I found Tang and instant Lipton Lemon iced tea mix at my local Safeway grocery store in Eastern Oregon.
Renée B. says
Thank you for your sweet comment. It's amazing how the aroma of Russian tea (or even the memory of it), seems to bring back those crisp fall memories with such clarity.
Bea says
The ingredients don't seem to mix well while dry. The tea and spices separate from the flavored drink mix. Is that normal or am I doing something wrong?
Renée B. says
Great question! Due to the differently sized and textured ingredients - particularly the instant tea - separation is perfectly normal. In fact, when stored in a clear jar, the mixture creates an almost striated appearance through the glass. You just need to mix it up a bit as you spoon it out.
Rhonda says
Is the instant tea sweetened or sugar free
Renée says
Good question! (Back when this recipe originated, there wasn't a choice.)
Use plain, unsweetened instant tea.
Julie bailey says
Can artificial sugar be substituted?
Renée B. says
I don't have any personal experience doing so, but I'm sure an equivalent artificial sweetener would work just fine.
Melissa C says
I grew up with this tea, my grandmother and mother made it all the time. They always used Tang and Wyler's lemonade mix, and Instant iced tea mix. I came here because I couldn't remember the exact measurements. I wonder who thought it up in the first place.
Renée says
Gosh, I had forgotten all about Wyler's! I usually use CountryTime. Glad you found us!
Charlotte says
I lost my husband back in November 2020 and this is my first Christmas without him in 61+ years. Two of my neighbors have given me the gift of Russian Tea which I have never tried, did not know it until now. From the comments I have read it sounds interesting. I will be trying it shortly after I close this site. Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year.
Renée says
Oh, Charlotte - I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope that you are comforted this holiday season by the love of friends and family.
Gillie says
This was very popular in Alaska in the '70s. Nearly every table had a painted "tin" dish with items like salt, pepper, ketchup, jelly, sugar and a jar of Russian Tea. I fell in deep love with it.
Renée ♥ says
I love that it was included on the table with the other "necessities!"
Shayla says
I've never had Russian Tea, it sounds lovely! We are big coffee and tea drinkers here.
Brittany limberakis says
Oh wow this sounds sooo perfect for winter nights!
Ashley R says
I used to drink so much tea and stopped. I will have to get into this. It does look like the cozy way to relax.
Nicole E. says
Wow.. This sounds so easy and the ingredients are easy to find..! I'm a tea lover that's why I would definitely make a cup of this one. Haha
Monica says
My husband has recently turned into a tea lover. This Russian tea sounds perfect for a cold night!
Renée ♥ says
It really is! This "tea" is one beverage both the tea-lovers and the tea-avoiders in my family can both agree on.
Erin says
Wha?! The guy who made Tang also made Cool Whip and Pop Rocks?! Can you imagine what his kitchen must have been like?! I had never heard of Russian Tea before. This seems pretty fun!
Renée ♥ says
I know! I was surprised too, Erin! He also invented quick-set Jello and powdered egg whites.
Lu Ann @ The Cup of Life says
Hmm..I have never had Russian Tea before but this has definitely peaked my interest! I will definitely have to give this a try 🙂
Dijana says
I love it! It definitely sounds like perfect little treat for rainy days.
Melissa says
I love your style of writing and this post! So fun. I've never tried Russia Tea, but I think I might now. 😉
--Melissa
http://www.melissamchee.com
Meredith {MarthaChartreuse} says
This is bringing back so many wonderful childhood memories! There is a 5- and 8- year age gap between myself and my sisters, so I was always an annoyance/fun project for them. My sister Steph would always throw tea parties for my friends and I using Russian Tea. If only she was still interested in providing wait staff for my parties!
Pech says
I've never heard of this warming concoction but it sounds super wonderful for a chilly evening warm me up, I'll give it a try! Thanks for sharing the recipe and accompanying memories you have of it!
kelsey says
this looks delish!
Create/Enjoy says
Don't think I've ever heard of Russian Tea or had any of the primary ingredients! Very creative! I do like hot drinks in the winter!
Sheila says
Sooooo good for soothing sore throats too!!
Renée says
I hadn't thought of that before; but yes, it is very soothing! Thank you!