RUSSIAN TEA
At Christmas Momma always made a big batch, or maybe two or three of them, of this seasonal delight. It was served at family gatherings, to visitors who just happened to drop by, at church functions, and just as a refreshing hot drink on a cold winter’s day.
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 gallon water
- 1 tall can orange juice concentrate
- Extra sugar if desired
Bring these ingredients to a boil and continue for five minutes. Then add:
- 4 tea bags steeped in a pint of boiling water for five minutes.
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tall can pineapple juice
- 1 quart apple cider (optional)
- 1 ½ cup fresh orange juice
The quantities of juice can be varied if you prefer one taste to another. This recipe will make 20 generous helpings, and leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated as desired. Grandpa Joe would sasser a piping hot cup of this (he called it “Rooshian” tea), slurp with obvious delight, and declare, “My, that’s some kind of fine.”
JC
—Celebrating Southern Appalachian Food written by Jim Casada and Tipper Pressley
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a slightly damaged but new copy of Celebrating Southern Appalachian Food written by Jim Casada and Tipper Pressley. To be entered in the giveaway leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends December 5, 2025. There will be three winners for this giveaway.
Last night’s video: Thanksgiving 2025.
Tipper
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Many thanks for another chance to win your fab-sounding cookbook – i’m sure it would make good reading on these more-frequent cold evenings. I really enjoy going through local and regional cookbooks, for the anecdotes and the recipes.
—suz in northern appalachia, at the oh-pa-wva intersection
I am going to have to try this recipe, it sounds amazing!
My father LOVED Russian tea but my Mama used Tang. I’m not even sure they make Tang anymore. Christmas Blessings!
Ooh I wish I had some now, maybe it would break this congestion up! A friend of mine used to make the same or a similar recipe, but I don’t think she called it by that name.
This sounds delicious! I look forward to making it soon!
When I was growing up, we made Russian tea using the usual mixture of dried spices, but we would use instant tea and TANG. We would mix it all up in a pot or a big bowl and then put it back into the TANG and instant tea jars. Then whenever you want Russian tea you could just mix a couple of spoons full to a cup of hot water or a glass of cool water. Was always great tasting either way.
Nothing recommends this tea better than Grandpa Joe’s comment, “ That is some kind of fine.”
Merry Christmas, all!
This sounds like a delicious recipe! I would love to try it, but make a much smaller batch, as I am the only one at home.
I’ll have to try this recipe. I have made Russian tea for my daughter for years by another recipe. I love the comfort at this type of tea brings.
Sounds delicious. Exactly what we need now that BRRR ❄️ weather has arrived!
Russian Tea makes my house smell so good!
This sounds like a warm and welcoming Christmas recipe. ☕ Would love to win one of the cookbooks!
Sounds delicious! Thanks for the recipe. I’d love to have your book.
Oh wow, this sounds delicious! I’m sitting here wishing I had the ingredients to make some tonight lol. They’re calling for 2-4” of snow here in my part of Kentucky so Russian Tea would go over pretty good !
I love Russian Tea! My Mother made it best! Third time trying to win your book!
Fingers crossed!
Sounds similar to a recipe a great aunt gave me eons ago. Jim’s version sounds even better. I wonder what else I’d like from y’all’s cookbook…
I’ve had Russian Tea before and it’s really good. I’ll have to make that recipe; wish I had some right now. It’s raining and cold down here in coastal MS right now. Of course it can get down to around fifty degrees and we get cold. Sounds like your cookbook has a lot of treasures.
I gave my daughter-in-law one of your cookbooks. She absolutely loved it. She loves to cook and was very impressed with your recipes.
I’ve drunk Russian tea made with the Tang mixture. But your recipe sounds delicious and much healthier. I plan to serve this to my family at Christmas.
this sounds so good. i would like a little more info on the optional apple cider…1/4 (cup?). a tall can of oj concentrate is a 12 oz can?
Kathleen, sorry that is my typo 🙂 Should be one quart. I went back and fixed it.
I don’t think I’ve ever had Russian tea. Looks like a good recipe to try.
Ah, Russian tea! fond memories of having it from Thanksgiving through after New Year in the South where I grew up. Don’t have it much now because being diabetic I try to avoid things with a lot of carbohydrates but it sure is a happy memory
I’m going to try the Russian tea recipe. I have made it in the past using Tang. Not sure that is available anymore!
Christmas is right around the corner. You and your family are fun to watch when y’all are cooking or decorating or just walking around in the yard. It’s very relaxing to me seeing how y’all enjoy the simple things.
My grandmother always made Russian Tea for special winter holiday occasions. She never put apple cider in it though. She also kept the instant kind made with Tang and she and I would have a cup when we visited them at Thanksgiving. I always think of her when I taste Russian Tea.
Can’t wait to try this. It sounds delicious!
I too love Russian Tea. I love anything with lots of spice in it. That’s what keeps me being a spicy old 84-year-old gal. Love your program and look for it every day.
Please enter me for your cookbook give-a-way.
When we were kids dad use to make his version of Russian tea, it was pretty good stuff! His was a mix of instant tea, tang orange drink, some spices and water.
When I was a child my mother would make a quick version of Russian Tea with Bigelows Constant Comment!
It has a lot of clove which is so delicious and smells wonderful especially at the holidays! Your video of Thanksgiving looked like a yummy day for sure! So happy that Granny was able to be there.
At my salon about 3 weeks ago, my stylist’s mom announced she was making Russian tea (mix) to share with clients throughout the holidays. The aroma will be quite inviting and the hot, spicy tea will hit the spot!
This drink sounds mighty tasty!
I’ve tasted the Russian tea my wife had to make every year around Christmas time. She made hers almost exactly like yours. I tried to like it but just couldn’t.
Looking through the comments the name Tang appears often. I have tried Tang too. It has a lingering chemical aftertaste I can’t handle. “sugar, citric acid, maltodextrin, natural and artificial flavors, artificial colors, calcium phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, guar and xanthan gum” could be the reason. Mixing it into the other tastes can only make it worse.
Coffee’s good at Christmas time too. Scalding hot and black! Serve it in a Santa mug if you must, I’ll be happy!
Russian Tea sounds perfect for these cold winter days. I’m a fairly new subscriber and love your channel. I love to cook and garden also. Matt is a jack-of-all-trades like my brothers are. I know you hear it a lot but we do feel like part of your family. Thank you for sharing your family with us!
My Dad used to mix Tang and tea when we would go camping. What a treat. Would love to win your recipe book.
I have not heard of Russian tea but Mom made a lot of sassafras tea, I tried to find some roots to make some but all I dug were half rotten so I just forgot about it, I know there’s lots of it in Adams County Ohio the next county north of me but haven’t tried to find any land owners that would let us dig it yet.
We grew up drinking the modern version using Tang and instant tea. it was all powdered and you could make it by the tea cup. But it was still good. Hope your holiday was glorious.
I love Russian Tea. Thank you for this recipe.
I love Russian Tea made with juices rather than with instant mixes. I’ve never put apples juice in mind though, but it sounds reallh good. This is a good way to get some Vitamin C in your diet and the house smells so good while it is simmering.
Mom used to make Russian tea but she used tang and instant tea…it was a dry mix that kept well in a sealed jar.
My grandmother made the same! I always loved spending the night at her house and drinking a cup at night before bed. I would burn my tongue off though because I was always too impatient to let it cool sufficiently.
I’ve never had Russian tea. Might try it.
I’ve had Russian tea made with Tang, instant iced tea, and spices. You put a couple of teaspoons in a mug of hot water. I haven’t seen Tang in years.
I never heard of Russian Tea as a child or young adult, and always thought it was an alcoholic beverage when I finally heard of it. Mom didn’t have the ingredients to make such a fancy drink. The only juice in our house was homemade apple juice, and she occasionally bought orange juice for the babies. If we had pineapple juice in our house, it wouldn’t have lasted long enough to use in a recipe.
Love Russian Tea. Thanks for the recipe and memories. Would love a copy of your cookbook.
I’ve heard about this, never had it. Now that I’ve the recipe I’ll try it! Thanks! Merry Advent to you and yours!
I have never heard of Russian Tea. I definitely want to attempt to make your Pralines. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
I first learned of this recipe from your YouTube channel, Tipper! So thankful Granny could be at Thanksgiving with y’all this year.
I have heard of Russian tea but have never tried. Looks like im going to the store.
I love Russian Tea. We make it with Tang and make it by the cup.
I really want to try making the Russian Tea this year. (I say that every year). I’ve never had it or heard of it until I found your channel. I make a spiced tea but it only has instant tea, tang, sugar & seasonings. Your recipe sounds so much tastier.
Don’t enter me in the drawing….I already have one of your wonderful cookbooks.
Prayers for Granny from Texas.
I have never had the pleasure of having a cup of this drink, it sounds good.
As always praying for Granny.
I loved Russian tea, but sadly had to give it up when I developed reflux disease. However….i have found that a dash of orange juice and a sprinkle of both ginger and just a touch of cloves doesn’t bother me when brewed with a cup of hot tea. My old recipe called for using tang breakfast drink. I think I will try your recipe….sounds delicious and without the preservatives in the tang.
This recipe sounds delicious. I think I will make it Christmas Eve. I recently discovered your channel on YouTube and have been watching ever since. I grew up in southeast Kentucky and experienced some of the same customs and food. I appreciate all that you do.
You have me wanting to make some Russian tea when we are all 6 together. When I have tea, my favorite is decaffeinated Bigelow “Constant Comment”. It is already headed in the right direction with orange and spice flavors. You do have me wondering about a source for natural fruit flavorings. I’m sure someone, somewhere has them (?) but I also suspect they are hard to find. On a related note, I once made some candied orange peel. It turned out well I thought but not so much for others.
I keep trying to win a copy of this cookbook. Maybe today’s my lucky day!
I thought this recipe sounded good last year when you shared it, and I bought all of the ingredients to make it. Then my kids kept drinking the different juices so I never got around to making it. I’m going to try again this year and see if I can!!!!
Of such Socrates sipped.
No Thank You, coffee’s fine!
I wasn’t able to view your Thanksgiving video, but I will today. That Russian tea sounds wonderful! Sometimes, I wish I didn’t give up processed sugar! But I sure will try to make for others for the holidays!
We always made this as an instant mix with Tang and instant tea. I can’t wait to make JC’s version. TY for sharing it with us Tipper. I’ve seen Youins make it in a few videos. I’m hopein’ an a prayn’ for a scratch n dent copy of y’all’s cookbook. I was so thankful to our Father for perking Granny up to spend a bit of Thanksgiving with her family at your house. Praises in everything always. I had to take my son, Ed, to the ER yesterday afternoon. They still couldn’t find what was causing his symptoms. Y’all here, please pray for him to find out what it is so at least we know. I keep you all in my prayers and love ya so much.
Barbara, I will keep praying for him!! And for you 🙂
This recipe looks delicious! I think I’ll make this for Christmas Eve. I have been watching you and your family on YouTube for a while now and I really love your channel. I grew up in southeast Ky and your recipes and customs remind me so much of my family. Thanks for all you do.
Every morning I make a cup of simplified Russian tea for my better half. It’s about 40% orange juice, 60% tea (using previously brewed tea we always have in the refrigerator). Then, after heating the mixture in the microwave for 90 seconds, I pour it into an insulated mug which has a big dollop of honey awaiting the tea. A quick stir, then it’s placed on the bathroom counter for her to sip on as she’s “getting beautiful.”
During the winter, I then fix one for myself 😉
It may not be as elegant as the lengthy version, but it’s fresh every morning and takes up no extra storage space in a refrigerator that, particularly during the holidays, is always jam packed.
Seems like mom used to make it with TANG drink mix? Not sure
I’ve never had Russian tea but it sounds delicious. Instead, we have wassail which is a holiday favorite that we look forward to.
yay, I was praying Granny could make it and so happy to see her there! your tea sounds good i may have to try it.
I love Russian tea but haven’t made it or had any to consume in years. I think I’ll put the ingredients on my shopping list and have some for family and friends this season. It was always good and I think your recipe bumps up the flavour! Thanks for sharing.
We love Russian Tea. Mom used to make a dry version with powdered tea, Tang and some other stuff that was also a good quick tea. Love from SC, Jane
This is the first time I’ve seen this particular recipe. It sounds good; but I would probably prefer it served cold, as a golden punch.
From the big, beautiful smiles on your family’s faces along with your dainty, Christmas porcelain cups hoisted in cheer, I’d say that Russian tea is quite delicious. Would I be correct in assuming it also clears the sinuses and throat as well? That’s a keeper recipe for sure! I definitely concur the house would smell fantastic with this concoction warm and wafting through the air…. It looks dang cheery and festive to me so CHEERS, Gang, to Russian tea and the folks who keep tradition alive! Did I mention I love the country life and have NEVER looked back?! It’s cold and a hard white freeze on the ground this morning… brrrr
I was happy to see that Granny was able to join in on the Thanking feast, sweet memories were made for sure. I am looking to make the Russian tea this year. My mother made a dry spiced tea mix we drank at Christmas time that you prepared with hot water in individual cups. Thanks for sharing.
My mother would make this tea every year at Christmas time! We loved it.
Have never heard of Russian tea. I love learning about regional foods, I find it fascinating that there are so many traditional foods and drink depending on where you live and where your people originate from.
Enjoyed watching you all’s Thanksgiving. Seeing Granny brought tears to my eyes. Such a blessing she was able to be there. Now…Russian Tea. Every time I see you make this I have a warm memory of drinking this as a kid and feeling so grownup! I have decided I am going to make some this year even if it is just a small batch. ❤️ blessings
That’s always a delight when you enter someone’s home and that aroma hits your senses. The smell is almost as delightful as the taste.
Yum, your version of Russian tea sounds delicious! I’ve made a similar diet version before with sugar free Tang 1 heaping cup, 1/8 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Then add 1 heaping cup of sugar free or low sugar lemon flavored instant tea. Combine all dry ingredients together, mixing well and store in airtight container. To make use 1-2 heaping teaspoons per 8 ounces of hot water. If tea isn’t strong enough for your taste then add more. You can also adjust the spices and Tang or instant tea to your preferred taste. The sugar free instant Russian Tea is good, but honestly your version sounds a LOT better tasting! Thanks for sharing it with us!
this is somewhat like the russian tea i grew up drinking (and making) but our recipe had alot more of the spices in it–think a full teaspoon of cinnamon and half teaspoon each of the nutmeg and cloves. Here in Oklahoma where I live I can not find the small jars of instant tea any more or the wylers lemonade mix that the recipe called for so this year I just bought lemon flavored instant tea and it is good enough but definitely does not have strong enough tea flavor–the lemon over powers it but having a poor version of russian tea beats not having any lol
Thank you Tipper for your diligence in bringing us interesting stories and sharing your family.
Have a blessed Christmas season.
Growing up, we had something similar, but it was a dry mix of instant tea, tang, sugar and spices. You put a tablespoon of the mix in a mug and added very hot water. Had it during the winter. Also made a nice gift. Jim’s version with the pineapple juice sounds delicious!
I haven’t made Russian Tea in long time. I like it. I may make some for Christmas. Thank you for the recipe. God bless. So glad to see granny at your Thanksgiving table.
I’ll be making this soon! I’ve made it before and had forgotten how much we enjoyed it. I went to a Christmas party for my husband’s work years ago and had this for the first time. It was called spiced tea. I loved it so much and asked the hostess for the recipe.
I wasn’t thinking about the caffeine in it and didn’t sleep a wink that night. When I made mine, I used decaffeinated tea.
Sounds delicious! I’ll be making some very soon!
This sounds absolutely fantastic.
Every year I say I am going to make this recipe, Will this be the year????
I have never had Russian tea but this recipe sounds so delicious. I so enjoyed your Thanksgiving video last evening. I have seriously got to try Matt’s dressing too. It was especially sweet to see Granny wearing a big smile and her lovely crochet sweater. And now…on to Christmas!
I don’t believe I’ve ever had it, but it sure sounds good.
Love watching your show. I grew up in Alabama on a farm and your show brings back sweet memories.
my mother used TANG, like the astronauts drink, to make her Russian tea, thank you for the recipe God bless you very much
This recipe sounds so good. We were glad Granny was feeling well enough to enjoy Thanksgiving with everyone.
This “Rooshian” Tea recipe makes the house smell like Christmas.
*Rooshian
This “Roosian” Tea recipe makes the house smell like Christmas.
Thank you for all the information you provide. It’s fascinating and very reminiscent of my childhood living with my grandmother. I also love your recipes!
Good morning and thank you for posting the Russian Tea recipe. I have been wanting that for years!! I love watching your daily life which is so similar to mine. Bless you and your wonderful family.
I didn’t grow up drinking Russian tea, but started hosting a table at a church’s Christmas tea party every year and got the recipe to serve it when I dressed up the table.
I’ve never had this, but it sounds so good. Maybe we will try it for our gathering since it makes such a big batch. Thank you for sharing. Happy December