Crisp days and chilly nights, jeans, boots, scarves, sweaters, fires roaring in the fireplace or fire pit …..and the scents that we associate this marvelous time of the year….yes it is fall!
This week I am teaming up with other contributors of Live Creatively Inspired to bring you Scents of the Season – Autumn Goodness!
Getting together with family members is always a treasure. Memories are created and sometimes new traditions are discovered. We have always taken turns alternating holidays with my family and my husband's. A fond and favorite memory is the Russian Tea that is forever present at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The smell of Russian tea simmering on the stove is a nod to this bountiful season. I'd like to share with you the Russian Tea that my husband's family has been making through the years. It can be made in advance and reheated on the stove for a crowd or left in the slow cooker. Left overs are easily reheated on a cup per cup basis in the microwave.
- 8 ounces frozen orange juice- no pulp
- 8 ounces frozen lemonade
- 3 family-sized decaffeinated tea bags
- 2 quarts of water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 Tablespoons of whole cloves
- extra water to make 1 gallon
- Bring 2 quarts of water to boil and remove from heat
- Add 1 cup of sugar to the boiling water stirring to dissolve
- Add 3 family-sized decaffeinated tea bags and cover to steep for about 30 minutes (or desired time)
- Bring 1 cup of water to a boil on the stove with cinnamon sticks and whole cloves
- Turn off the heat, cover and allow to steep for 30 minutes
- Strain off the spices reserving the liquid
- Discard used spices
- In a gallon container, pour the 2 quarts of tea, cans of frozen lemonade and orange juice along with reserved liquid from spice mixture
- Stir until the frozen can contents are completely thawed and mixed
- Add enough water to make a gallon
- Serve warm in mugs
- The gallon container can now be stored in the refrigerator heated per cup in the microwave.
- For a crowd, pour the gallon of Russian Tea into a large stock pot on the stove simmering or a slow-cooker. Have a ladle handy to serve into mugs.
- Would also work in a thermal carafe or one of those large electric coffee servers with spout.
- I prefer to make with decaffeinated tea bags, but you could easily make caffeinated.
At the same time that you are bringing your spice mixture to a boil, be boiling the 2 quarts of water for the tea.
I place the 1 cup of sugar in a 2 quart Pyrex measuring bowl while my tea kettle is boiling.
Pour the 2 quarts of boiling water (or pretty close amount….doesn't have to be exact) into the Pyrex and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the tea bags and steep for about 30 minutes.
Be prepared for your home to smell of the holiday season while these spices boil and steep! This step is even wonderful if you just want your house to smell Heavenly!
Follow the directions and you will have a hot tea with the mixture of spices and citrus. It will have a cloudy appearance due to the addition of the frozen juices. Finding 8 ounce cans of frozen juice has been difficult for me lately. I just buy the 12 ounce cans. Unless you really love a strong citrus taste, I would not recommend using the entire 12 ounce can. Just approximate and scoop out the additional 4 ounces. Don't throw away. I am sure there is another recipe that you could use it in or make a few servings of juice or lemonade.
Feel free to pin and share! Thanks bunches!
Be sure to visit the other blogs for Scents of the Season!
Monday
Deja Vue Designs
My Soulful Home
Tuesday
Cupcakes and Crinoline
Town and Country Living
Wednesday
White Lace Cottage
Our Southern Home
Thursday
Shabby Art Boutique
Mrs. Hines' Class
Friday
House on the Way
Pet Scribbles
Lilacs & Longhorns
Happy Fall Y'all!!
Therese says
Sounds like a yummy-good smell, Christy!
Megan says
Wow! What a fun tour! I’ve never heard of Russian tea before and it sounds scrumptious. I’m a huge tea lover so I must give this a try!
Paula says
Your Russian Tea sounds so good! My grandmother made this for us each Christmas but her version used Tang. I used to open the jar just to smell the dried mixture.
Christy says
What sweet memories you have! You’ll have to get if it a try. Great for a chilly day! ~Christy
Jane says
What? No TANG is this Russian Tea? Just kidding! I had to come over to see how you made yours, and it sounds delicious! I’ve printed the recipe and plan to make it in a few days when it’s going to be cold here!
Pinning and sharing!
Christy says
Jane you are so funny! Growing up in the 70s I was a Tang child! LOL!! Hope you enjoy it! XXOO -Christy
Artsy Chicks Rule ( says
Yum, I feel like I can smell it through the screen! 🙂
Pinning 🙂
Nancy
Christy says
Thanks, Nancy! It is yummy! Enjoy 🙂 Christy
Kerryanne & Shabby Art Boutique says
Christy, I’ve never heard of Russian tea before but it does sound delicious. Thank you for sharing your families scent of the season.
Christy says
Thanks so much! Yes, I think it is new to some. It was new to me until I married almost 24 years ago! Happy Fall -Christy
Kelly says
Christy Russian tea is new to me…It sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing your family tradition & giving me something totally new to try!
Jennifer says
I’ve never had Russian tea but this sounds amazing!! I think it would be great to enjoy when you have a cold, too. 🙂
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says
I’m not a coffee drinker but I love tea…this looks and sounds like it would be fantastic! Definitely going to try this! It’s chilly here today, so it’s a perfect day for a hot cup of tea. 🙂
Sharon says
This sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it.
Anne says
This sounds wonderful! I bet it tastes and smells amazing!
Just pinned!
AtHomeWithTheBarkers says
I can almost smell this now! Will have to try it. ~Sonya