Looking for a spiced tea dry mix recipe that’s both delicious and perfect for gifting? You’re in the right place!
This orangey, cinnamon-spiced tea mix, also referred to as Friendship Tea, Russian Tea, or Christmas Tea, has been a beloved holiday tradition for years. Many people make batches every year to give away as gifts to friends and family during the season. The best part? With just 6 ingredients, you can create multiple jars of this warming drink mix without breaking the bank.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about making this classic spiced tea recipe using Tang, from ingredients to storage tips and creative serving ideas.
Key Takeaways
Friendship Tea is a nostalgic spiced beverage mix that became popular in the 1970s-80s, combining Tang, instant tea, lemonade mix, and warm spices into an easy-to-make dry mix perfect for gifting.
• Simple 6-ingredient recipe: Mix Tang, instant tea, lemonade powder, cinnamon, and cloves in under 10 minutes for a batch that lasts 4-6 months.
• Highly customizable: Adjust sweetness levels, create sugar-free versions, serve hot or cold, or spike with spirits for adult gatherings.
• Perfect for gifting: Store in mason jars with preparation instructions (2-3 teaspoons per cup of hot water) to share this warming tradition with friends and family.
• Rich cultural history: Despite its “Russian Tea” nickname, this American Southern tradition evolved from 1907 recipes and gained popularity after Tang’s association with NASA space missions.
• Budget-friendly: Create multiple gift jars using affordable pantry staples, with options to substitute natural ingredients like tangerine powder or stevia-sweetened alternatives.
This versatile drink mix bridges nostalgia and convenience, making it an ideal homemade gift that recipients can enjoy throughout the holiday season and beyond.
What is Friendship Tea (Russian Tea)?
The History Behind This Holiday Tradition
Friendship tea has a much longer history than most people realize. In 1907, the San Antonio Gazette shared a recipe that used fresh oranges, lemons, and spices along with rum. This early version required brewing black tea on the stovetop with citrus and sugar.
The drink we recognize now emerged during a different era. Tang hit grocery store shelves in 1959, but sales remained poor until NASA used it on John Glenn’s Mercury flight in 1962. Once Americans saw astronauts drinking Tang in space, the powdered orange drink became a household staple. By 1966, those fresh juices and loose-leaf teas had been replaced with instant tea, Tang, and other convenient ingredients.
Interestingly enough, though it’s commonly called Russian Tea, this recipe does not hail from Russia. You’ll find some variation of it in just about every church cookbook in the South. The drink is loosely based on the black tea with lemon and sugar that was the preferred beverage of upper-class Russians in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. That European tradition somehow morphed into an orange, lemon, and sweetened tea combination in the American South.
The instant mix version gained massive popularity in the 1970s and 80s. Southern homemakers embraced the convenience of creating dry, mixed versions for ease of preparation and as gifts.
Why It’s Called Friendship Tea
The name “Friendship Tea” comes from the practice of sharing homemade mixes in jars. Mason jars filled with the swirled orange and tan powder were passed from friend to friend during the holiday season. Women gifted these jars at baby showers, book clubs, and holiday gatherings as tokens of love or appreciation.
Recipients would stir the mix into hot water to create a fruity spiced beverage. This tradition of sharing made the name stick far better than “Russian Tea” or “Tang Tea.”
Some variations include additional sugar or other warm spices, but these five ingredients form the foundation of most friendship tea recipes.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Spiced Tea Mix
Now that you understand the background, let’s examine what goes into this spiced tea mix.
Tang Orange Drink Mix
Tang was formulated by General Foods Corporation food scientist William A. Mitchell in 1957 and first marketed in powdered form in 1959. A single serving contains 29 grams of sugar (representing 94% of the product’s dry weight), 120 calories, and 100% of your daily vitamin C. Most recipes call for anywhere from 1 to 2 cups of Tang, depending on batch size. Tang comes in various container sizes, from 20-ounce jars to large 72-ounce canisters at warehouse stores.
In 2007, Kraft introduced a version that replaced half the sugar with artificial sweeteners including sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and neotame. This option works well if you want to reduce calories.
Instant Tea (Sweetened or Unsweetened)
Unsweetened instant tea is the traditional choice. Black tea powder dissolves in water and forms the base of this drink. Recipes typically require between 1/2 cup to 1 cup of instant tea powder. Lipton was the go-to brand for decades, but availability has become spotty. Some stores still stock it, while others have phased it out entirely.
Accordingly, many people now use instant tea with lemon as a substitute. If you go this route, you may need to adjust sugar amounts. Other alternatives include loose black tea ground into powder or brands like WACA available through online retailers.
Lemonade Mix
Country Time Lemonade is the most common choice, though Wyler’s and Kool-Aid work equally well. You can use sweetened or unsweetened versions. If your lemonade mix is already sweetened, skip adding extra sugar to the recipe. Unsweetened versions require about 2 cups of sugar added separately.
For sugar-conscious cooks, unsweetened Kool-Aid packets allow you to control sweetness with alternative sweeteners.
Ground Cinnamon and Cloves
Most recipes use 1 to 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves. Use ground spices only. Do not crush whole cloves yourself, as picking clove bits out of your tea ruins the experience.
Optional: Substitutions and Variations
Natural alternatives exist for those avoiding processed ingredients. Tangerine juice powder plus monk fruit or erythritol sweetener can replace Tang. Powdered lemon juice works instead of lemonade mix. Pure Citrus Lemon, sweetened with stevia and a hint of sugar, offers another option. Some recipes add 1 teaspoon of ground allspice for extra warmth.
Making this friendship tea recipe takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish. The process couldn’t be simpler.
Step 1: Gather Your Mixing Tools
Firstly, you’ll need something to mix your ingredients. A large bowl with a whisk works perfectly. If you prefer easier cleanup, grab a gallon-sized ziplock bag instead. Some people run the finished mix through a food processor or blender to create a finer texture, though this step isn’t necessary when using powdered ingredients.
Step 2: Combine All Dry Ingredients
Add your Tang, instant tea, lemonade mix, sugar (if using unsweetened mixes), ground cinnamon, and ground cloves into your chosen mixing vessel. The order doesn’t matter. Just dump everything together in one go.
Step 3: Mix Until Well Blended
Whisk the ingredients thoroughly in your bowl, or seal your bag and shake vigorously. Keep mixing until the spices distribute evenly throughout the powder and you see no streaks or clumps. The mixture should look uniform in color and texture.
Step 4: Store in Airtight Containers
Transfer your spiced tea mix into airtight containers. Mason jars work beautifully and make attractive gifts. You can also pour the mix back into the original Tang container if you’re feeling practical. Store your containers in a cool, dry place at room temperature. The mix stays fresh for 4 to 6 months when properly sealed.
Label your jars with the name and preparation instructions so recipients know how to brew their tea.
How to Serve and Customize Your Spiced Tea
Once you’ve made your friendship tea mix, you have endless serving possibilities.
Preparing a Hot Cup of Friendship Tea
Put 2 to 3 teaspoons of mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup of boiling water. Some recipes call for 1 tablespoon (roughly 3 teaspoons) per 6 to 8 ounces of water. For larger mugs, use 1/4 cup of mix per 12 to 16 ounces.
Adjusting the Mix to Your Taste
Start with the recommended amount and add more if you prefer stronger flavor. The beauty of this russian tea recipe is its flexibility. You control the intensity with every cup.
Serving as Cold Punch
Mix 2 tablespoons of powder into a cup of hot water first to dissolve, then pour over ice. For parties, make a large batch and chill it in a crystal punch bowl. This works beautifully for summer gatherings.
Adding Adult Enhancements (Spiked Versions)
Spike your friendship tea with brandy, whiskey, or spiced rum. These additions create a warming evening drink.
Decorating with Cinnamon Sticks
Stir your tea with a whole cinnamon stick for extra flavor and visual appeal. You can attach cinnamon sticks to gift jars with ribbon.
Making Sugar-Free or Diet Versions
Use sugar-free Tang, Crystal Light lemonade and orange drink mixes. This drops the calories dramatically while maintaining flavor.
Conclusion: Start a New Tradition with This Spiced Tea Dry Mix Recipe
You now have everything you need to create this nostalgic spiced tea mix right in your kitchen. With just six simple ingredients and ten minutes of your time, you can make multiple jars for yourself and loved ones.
Friendship tea really is that easy to prepare. Mix it, gift it, and enjoy it hot or cold throughout the year. I encourage you to start a batch this weekend and share the warmth with friends and family who’ll appreciate this thoughtful homemade treat.
FAQs
Q1. What exactly is Friendship Tea and why is it called that? Friendship Tea is a spiced beverage mix made from Tang, instant tea, lemonade mix, cinnamon, and cloves. It earned its name from the tradition of sharing homemade batches in Mason jars as gifts between friends during holidays and special occasions like baby showers and book clubs.
Q2. Does Russian Tea actually come from Russia? No, despite its common name, Russian Tea does not originate from Russia. The recipe is an American creation, particularly popular in the South. It’s loosely inspired by the black tea with lemon and sugar that was popular among upper-class Russians in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but the instant mix version is entirely American.
Q3. How much mix should I use per cup of tea? Use 2 to 3 teaspoons of the dry mix per 8-ounce cup of boiling water. For larger mugs (12 to 16 ounces), use about 1/4 cup of mix. You can adjust the amount based on your taste preference for a stronger or milder flavor.
Q4. How long does homemade Friendship Tea mix stay fresh? When stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place at room temperature, the tea mix stays fresh for 4 to 6 months. Mason jars or sealed containers work best for maintaining freshness.
Q5. Can I make a sugar-free version of this spiced tea mix? Yes, you can create a low-calorie version by using sugar-free Tang and Crystal Light lemonade and orange drink mixes instead of the regular sweetened versions. This significantly reduces the calorie content while preserving the flavor profile.
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