When I was younger, my mom and I made this tea every Christmas season. We’d fill half pint mason jars with the mix, decorate the lid with some pretty holiday paper, and give out as gifts. If we were really industrious, we’d add a plate of homemade cookies to go with the tea.
I’ve always called it Russian Tea. Depending on how PC you feel you need to be, I guess you could call it Christmas Tea, or Holiday Tea or even simply Spice Tea.
Back in the day, before you could find cherryade mix, my mom would use cherry Jello. It was still delicious, but if it got the least bit humid you were left with one ginormous spiced sugar lump.
The fruity, spicy smell of this tea always reminds me of Christmas. I still make this every year and give out as gifts. So,with Christmas mere weeks away, consider this my holiday gift to you.
Russian Tea
2 cups orange drink mix
1 cup sugar
4 ounces cherry drink mix
1 cup lemonade mix
1 cup instant tea
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground clove
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Add 4 teaspoons mix to 1 cup of hot water.
(For a sugar-free mix, you can substitute sugar-free drink mixes and Splenda for the sugar… it tastes just as delicious)
Thin spiral notebook 
I remember that tea. It was that recipe, but without the cherry flavoring. And we called it Russian Tea too.
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I LOVE “gifts in a jar”. I used to give them all the time. Thanks for this recipe: will def try it!
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Sounds very tasty! And everyone loves a homemade gift like this.
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This looks very interesting as teas go. I’ve been a tea drinker all my life….I think I might like this one. Thanks Tara. ~Joy
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Innnnnnteresting. I’ve never heard of anything like this, but it sounds interesting. Perfect for teacher gifts and such, no? But what’s cherryade? I think I’m shopping in the wrong aisles because that alone sounds good!
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Hmmmm. Seems to me one could leave out the Cinnamon and clove, and make this as a refreshing cold beverage in the hot days of summer, as well. Or, if the Instant Tea doesn’t do cold very well, brew it up and serve it over ice. Either way – it should be YUM.
Thank you, Tara. I’m gonna do this one. 🙂
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