Instant Russian Tea Mix Recipe: The Cozy Drink That Takes 2 Minutes to Make

Remember those church potlucks or holiday gatherings where someone always had a mysterious orange-spiced drink that tasted vaguely like Christmas and happiness? Yeah, that was Russian Tea, and spoiler alert: it has zero actual tea in it and probably zero connection to Russia. But who cares when it tastes this good?

This powdered mix is basically magic in a jar. You dump a few spoonfuls into hot water, stir, and suddenly you’re drinking something that tastes fancy but required absolutely no effort. It’s sweet, tangy, spiced, and ridiculously comforting—perfect for cold mornings, lazy afternoons, or when you need to pretend you have your life together while wearing sweatpants.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

First off, you make a big batch once and have instant cozy drinks for months. No brewing, no steeping, no waiting around like some kind of peasant. Just scoop, pour hot water, stir, done. It’s the ultimate lazy person’s hot beverage, and I mean that as the highest compliment.

Second, it makes your house smell incredible while you’re mixing it. All those spices and citrus notes? Your kitchen will smell like a holiday market, and you didn’t even have to bake anything.

Third, it’s a fantastic gift. Throw some in a mason jar with a cute label and suddenly you’re that thoughtful friend who makes homemade gifts. People will think you’re way more domestic than you actually are, and honestly, that’s a win.

The flavor is like if orange juice, apple cider, and chai tea had a baby. It’s sweet but not cloying, fruity but not artificial, spiced but not overwhelming. And the best part? You can’t really mess this up. It’s literally just stirring powders together. If you can make instant coffee, you can make this.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 cups Tang orange drink mix (yes, the astronaut stuff—embrace the retro vibes)
• 1 cup instant tea powder (unsweetened, like Lipton or Nestea)
• 1 ½ cups sugar (or less if you’re not into the whole sweet thing)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (the cozy factor)
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves (a little goes a long way, trust me)
• 1 packet (0.23 oz) lemonade drink mix (like Kool-Aid or Crystal Light)
• Optional: ½ teaspoon ground ginger or allspice (if you’re feeling spicy)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Grab a big bowl. You’ll need room to stir without creating a Tang dust cloud in your kitchen. A large mixing bowl or even a big storage container works perfectly.

2. Dump everything in. Add the Tang, instant tea, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and lemonade mix all at once. If you’re adding ginger or allspice, throw those in too. Don’t overthink it—this isn’t rocket science, even though Tang technically is space-adjacent.

3. Stir it really well. Use a whisk or a big spoon and mix until everything is evenly distributed and you can’t see any clumps of spice hiding in there. This takes about 2 minutes of actual stirring. Put some elbow grease into it.

4. Store it properly. Transfer your mix to an airtight container—mason jars work great, or any container with a tight lid. Store it in your pantry away from moisture. This stuff will last for months if you keep it dry.

5. Make your drink. Add 2-3 tablespoons of mix to a mug of hot water (8-10 oz), stir until dissolved, and enjoy. Start with 2 tablespoons and adjust to taste—some people like it stronger, some like it lighter.

6. Experiment with servings. Try it with different amounts of mix until you find your perfect sweet spot. There’s no wrong answer here, just personal preference.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not mixing thoroughly enough. Those spices love to clump together at the bottom. Whisk it well and make sure everything is evenly distributed, or you’ll get some cups that taste like pure cinnamon and others that taste like straight Tang.

Using sweetened instant tea. Please don’t. The Tang and lemonade mix already bring plenty of sweetness. Sweetened tea will make this sickeningly sweet, and you’ll hate yourself.

Adding too much mix to your cup. Start with 2 tablespoons and work your way up. This stuff is concentrated, and dumping in half a cup will give you a sugar rush that’ll have you vibrating into next week.

Storing it in a container that’s not airtight. Moisture is the enemy here. If humidity gets in, your mix will turn into a clumpy brick. Use something with a good seal and keep it in a dry spot.

Trying to make it with cold water. I mean, you can, but it won’t dissolve properly and you’ll end up with gritty Tang sludge at the bottom. Hot water is non-negotiable for proper dissolution.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Sugar-free version: Use sugar-free Tang, sugar substitute (like Splenda or monk fruit), and sugar-free lemonade mix. It’s not quite as good IMO, but it works if you’re watching sugar intake.

Different citrus flavors: Try grapefruit Tang instead of orange for a different vibe. Or mix in some powdered lime drink mix for extra tanginess. Get creative—this isn’t a stuffy recipe.

Adjust the spices: Not a clove fan? Leave them out or replace with extra cinnamon. Want it spicier? Add more ginger or a pinch of cardamom. This is your mix, make it work for you.

Caffeine-free option: Use decaf instant tea. The flavor will be basically the same, just without the buzz. Perfect for evening sipping or for the caffeine-sensitive folks.

Homemade lemonade powder: If you can’t find powdered lemonade mix, just add an extra ½ cup of Tang and a tablespoon of citric acid. It’ll give you that tart lemon kick without the actual lemonade powder.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is this actually Russian? Nope, not even a little bit. This is pure Americana, probably invented by some creative home cook in the 1960s when Tang was all the rage. Russians have their own tea traditions, and this ain’t one of them. But the name stuck, so here we are.

Can I make this with real tea? Sure, brew some strong tea and add Tang, sugar, and spices to taste. But honestly, you’re missing the whole point—which is having instant gratification without the brewing hassle. The instant tea is what makes this a mix you can store and use whenever.

How long does the mix last? Stored properly in an airtight container, this will last 6 months to a year easily. The instant tea and powdered ingredients are shelf-stable for ages. Just keep it dry and it’ll be fine.

Why does mine taste weird? Did you use sweetened tea? That’s usually the culprit. Or maybe you went too heavy on the cloves (they can be overpowering). Start with the recipe as written, then adjust from there. Also, make sure none of your ingredients are expired—old spices lose their punch.

Can I use this in cold drinks? Technically yes, but it takes forever to dissolve and you’ll need to really shake or stir it. It’s designed for hot water. If you want iced Russian Tea, mix it with hot water first, then pour over ice. Problem solved.

Is this caffeinated? Yep, the instant tea has caffeine—about as much as a cup of regular tea, which is less than coffee. If you need a caffeine-free version, just use decaf instant tea. Easy fix.

Can kids drink this? Sure, it’s basically spiced orange drink. The caffeine is mild, but if you’re worried, make it with decaf tea. It’s sweet and fruity, so kids usually love it. Just maybe go lighter on the mix for their smaller cups.

Final Thoughts

Russian Tea Mix is one of those recipes that seems almost too simple to be good, but then you try it and suddenly you understand why it’s been passed around church cookbooks and family recipe boxes for decades. It just works.

Make a big batch, keep it in your pantry, and pull it out whenever you need something warm and comforting without any effort. It’s perfect for cold mornings, holiday gatherings, or those random Tuesday afternoons when you just need something cozy.

Plus, it makes you look like you have your life together when guests come over. “Oh, let me make you some homemade spiced tea” sounds way fancier than “let me add powder to hot water,” but that’s our little secret.

Now go mix up a batch and enjoy your instant cozy drink. Your future self will thank you when you’re sipping something delicious without having to actually brew anything. Cheers! 🙂