It's That Time Of Year Again

We make this and hot cocoa mix every year. We make the hot cocoa mix in December, usually, but the Russian Tea we make in the fall when the days start turning cool and crisp and the leaves just begin to change color. Our 11 year old quite proudly made a large batch of this yesterday, and Equuschick shared jars of this and pumpkin bread with the neighbors who took care of the animals while she was in hospital.

Russian Tea, Original Convenience Version

* 3 cups sugar (Splenda works and tastes just fine. There's so much sugar in the other ingredients that the 'splenda' taste disguised)

* 2 cups orange flavored breakfast drink (powdered concentrate; we use Tang)

* 1 cup unsweetened instant tea mix

* 1 tsp ground cloves

* 1 tsp ground cinnamon

* 1 envelope unsweetened lemonade mix

- Combine all the ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container

- to serve, put 1 1/2 -2 rounded spoonfuls of mix into a cup filled with boiling- or at least very hot- water. Stir well.

I shared this here a while back and friends posted there:

coffeemamma said...
This sounds similar to the way we were served coffee in Mexico! In a *huge* kettle hung from a tripod over an open fire, they boiled water, coarse ground coffee, orange quarters (rind and all) and sugar cane. When it was finished (not sure how you tell that...) it was strained and served in strange mugs that looked a little like pilsner glasses with handles- best coffee I ever tasted!


Kim C. posted the Hillbilly Housewife's version that is much more inexpensive. That's what we're making these days, and here's how we have it:

4 to 5 cups of sugar
4 packets generic orange kool-aid mix
4 packets generic lemon kool-aid mix (depending on your sour tooth)
1 cup instant tea (with lemon flavor is very good)
2-4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Whisk all these ingredients together in a large bowl. Put tablespoon in cup of very hot water and stir. Add lemon juice splash to taste, if desired. I want to try it with stevia next, and see how that works.

And Terri said...

This is actually a modern adaptation of an old recipe. I don't know how it compares frugality-wise, but in my opinion, the old version tastes better and is more healthy. (I cannot have artificial colors either, coffeemamma.)

Try this: In your stock pot, bring to a boil two quarts of water with two cinnamon sticks and a heaping teaspoon of whole cloves. Remove from heat and add 10 tea bags. Cheap black tea is the best. Cover and allow to steep for 5 minutes or more. Add the juice of one lemon, a large can of pineapple juice (I believe it is 46 oz.) and an equal amount of orange juice. We used to be able to get orange juice very cheaply in cans, but now we just use the pineapple juice can to measure. Return to low heat and add sweetener to taste. We use honey, but the original called for white sugar. Keep warm but do not allow to boil. When it seems spicy enough, it is ready to serve. If you increase the cloves, it will effectively numb a sore throat.

We usually have this on hand in a crock pot whenever we have a winter storm or someone in the family has a cold. This is less convenient than your mix, but it has the advantage of making your house smell wonderful and so welcoming to anyone coming in from the cold.

This one is delicious, but I am afraid our jaded taste buds gravitate toward the artificial colors and flavors of ten cent kool aid packets, and our desire for instant gratification makes us lean that direction as well.

Every version is wonderful for the sore throats and head colds of fall.

Anybody else have a favorite fall beverage or treat?