Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- Optional: honey for extra sweetness
- Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions:
Boil Water:
In a medium-sized saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
Steep Tea:
Once the water is boiling, remove the saucepan from heat.
Add the black tea bags to the hot water.
Let the tea bags steep for about 5-7 minutes, depending on your desired strength.
Infuse Spices:
Add the cinnamon stick and whole cloves to the steeped tea.
Allow the spices to infuse into the tea for an additional 5 minutes.
Add Citrus Slices:
Stir in the sliced orange and lemon into the spiced tea mixture.
Allow the citrus slices to simmer in the tea for another 5-7 minutes, releasing their flavors.
Sweeten the Tea:
Stir in 1 cup of sugar, adjusting the amount to your preferred level of sweetness.
If desired, add honey for an extra touch of sweetness.
Incorporate Fruit Juices:
Pour in the orange juice and lemon juice, stirring well to combine.
Simmer the tea for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
Strain and Serve:
Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the Russian tea to remove the tea bags, spices, and citrus slices.
Discard the solids and pour the strained tea into a serving pot or individual cups.
Garnish (Optional):
For a fresh touch, garnish the tea with a few sprigs of mint leaves just before serving.
Enjoy:
Serve the From-Scratch Russian Tea hot and enjoy the delightful blend of citrus and spices.
This homemade Russian tea is not only a comforting and flavorful beverage but also a great way to warm up on chilly days.
Adjust the sweetness and spice levels according to your taste preferences.