Russian Tea
Ingredients
- 4 cups 950ml water
- 4 black tea bags
- 2 cups 480ml orange juice
- 1 cup 240ml fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup 100g granulated sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice optional
- Orange slices for garnish optional
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish optional
Instructions
- Boil water in a large saucepan. Remove from heat.
- Add tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags.
- Add orange juice, lemon juice, and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice.
- Return to stove. Simmer gently for 10 minutes on medium-low heat.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Strain out whole spices or leave in for stronger flavour.
- Ladle into mugs. Garnish with orange slice or cinnamon stick if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Do not steep tea longer than 5 minutes or it will be bitter
- Simmer gently — do not let it boil after adding the juice
- Use fresh lemon and orange juice for the best flavour
- Adjust sweetness to taste — start with less sugar and add more if needed
- Stores in the fridge for up to 1 week — reheat individual cups as needed
- Leave the whole spices in for stronger flavour as it sits
- Perfect for making ahead and keeping warm in a slow cooker