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    Home » Recipes » Beverages

    Curl Up with a Cup of Russian Tea

    December 9, 2019 • Updated: October 1, 2021 • by Renée • This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe
    Consuming Russian Tea can lead to intense feelings of coziness and an uncontrollable desire to curl up with a good book! (Free Gift Printable included.) | The Good Hearted Woman

    Russian Tea is a cozy citrus-tea mixture, enhanced with warm mulling spices. This dry mix last months on the shelf; when ready to serve, simply add hot water and stir. (Free gift printable included.)


    As I get older, I find myself remembering more and more about the women in my mother’s circle who influenced my life. Remember Mrs. Houston? I've written about her a couple of times: she was my mother's super-talented, perpetually cranky friend who taught me to embroider and made my family Nuts-n-Bolts for Christmas every year.

    Mrs Houston also introduced me to Russian Tea - a warm, cozy concoction that has ties to both the 1960's penchant for convenience foods and NASA’s space program.

    Tang, the primary ingredient in Russian Tea mix, was known in my childhood as the drink “the astronauts took to the moon.” Tang first made its appearance in the late 1950’s, but didn’t sell well until it got a super-powered boost from NASA in the early 60’s when it was included in the food-stores of John Glenn’s Mercury spaceflight, and later on the Gemini missions. Mom was suspicious of anything unfamiliar to her Midwest Depression Era upbringing (i.e., yogurt, pizza, Swiss cheese, etc.); however, if it was good enough for John Glenn, it was good enough for her.

    Russian Tea Mix | Vintage Recipe | Hostess Gift Idea

    This post may contain affiliate links, but don't worry - they won't bite.

    Do Russians really drink Russian Tea?

    Doubtful. We have a family full of Eastern European in-laws, and none of them (to my knowledge) have ever even heard of Russian Tea.

    Initially, I thought the name might have something to do the US-Russian Space Race and the Tang connection. However, after doing a little investigating, I learned that recipes for Russian Tea predate the dawn of Tang; appearing first in US post-World War II community cookbooks, as a mix of brewed black tea, orange juice, and warm spices.

    Later, when Lipton developed the first instant iced tea formula in the late 1950's - just two years after the release of Tang - Russian Tea became increasingly popular, as it could be made ahead of time in bulk, making it appealing for parties, large gatherings, and gift giving. 

    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.

    Russian Tea in a large, clear glass teacup. Sunlight dapples the background.


    Give the Gift of Russian Tea!

    Gift label with preparation instructions for Russian Tea.
    Click for "Russian Tea" Labels (8 per page)

    Not only is Russian Tea is easy to put together and delicious to drink, but the dry mix makes a lovely housewarming, hostess, or holiday gift as well. I’ve included free printable gift tags just for this purpose!


    Make yourself a cup of Russian Tea today and curl up with a good book. Nah zdarovhyeh! (That's [phonetic] Russian for Cheers!)

    Post Updated December 19, 2019 (Originally published October 8, 2014)
    Russian Tea Mix | Vintage Recipe | Hostess Gift Idea
    5 from 4 votes

    Russian Tea Mix

    Russian Tea is a cozy, delicious citrus-tea mixture, enhanced with warm mulling spices. The mixture itself can be stored for months on the shelf. When ready to serve, simply add hot water and stir.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course: Beverage
    Cuisine: Retro-American
    Prep Time:5 minutes
    Total Time:5 minutes
    Servings: 80 cups
    Calories: 40kcal
    Author: Renee

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Metric
    • 2 cups dry orange drink mix i.e. Tang
    • 1 cup instant tea
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 1.25 ounce package unsweetened package lemonade mix e.g. unsweetened Kool-Aid mix
    • 2 heaping teaspoons cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons ground cloves

    Instructions

    • Mix all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.

    To make one cup of Russian Tea:

    • Add one heaping tablespoon of mix (or to taste) to a cup of hot water and stir.

    MOCK Russian Tea:

    • If black tea is something you choose to avoid, you can make Mock Russian Tea by simply leaving out the instant tea. It still tastes warm and cozy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.4g | Protein: 0.1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 9.8g | Calcium: 21mg
    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.
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

    Not in the mood for a warm drink, but still want something smooth that sounds like it's rooted in Russian culture; but, in fact, has no known ties to Eastern Europe whatsoever? Try a creamy, refreshing Blushin' Russian (cocktail or non-alcoholic mocktail)! 

    Hand-painted Russian tea tray with flowers on a black background, gold painted trim. Cups and spoons on tray.


    THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
    of The Good Hearted Woman. • Be sure to PIN this post!

      Russian Tea Mix | Vintage Recipe | Hostess Gift Idea

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

    UPDATE: This post was first published on The Good Hearted Woman, November 23, 2015.

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    About Renée

    Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

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    Comments

    1. Melissa C says

      December 08, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        December 08, 2021 at 4:56 pm

        Gosh, I had forgotten all about Wyler's! I usually use CountryTime. Glad you found us!

        Reply
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