I’m sick. It doesn’t happen very often, and this cold is really making me feel cruddy. I am craving foods that give my insides a cuddle that only a warm, fuzzy blanket on a cold day can bring. Since my throat is pretty raw, and talking has become an issue, my first love has been tea.<\/p>\n

When I was growing up, my mom would whip up a batch of Russian Tea mix in the fall. I loved coming inside from playing in the snow, and smelling the orange and spicy aroma of this tea. I still make a batch every fall, just to make sure I am prepared for the cold, snowy days of winter.<\/p>\n

The ingredient list is pretty simple:<\/p>\n

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I have modified the recipe that is listed in our church cookbook, but that is the beauty of this recipe. You can tweak it to suit your taste.<\/p>\n

Russian Tea Mix<\/strong><\/p>\n

2 cups Tang powdered orange drink (this works much better than orange Kool-aid)<\/p>\n

1 1\/2 cups sugar (I omit the sugar – this is sweet enough without it)<\/p>\n

3\/4 cup unsweetened lemon flavored instant tea<\/p>\n

1\/3 cup powdered lemonade (I use a couple packets of True Lemon instead)<\/p>\n

1 teaspoon cinnamon<\/p>\n

1\/2 teaspoon ground cloves<\/p>\n

Mix all ingredients…or, if you are like me, put all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until all particles are the same size. I prefer everything to be well mixed, and the same size so everything dissolves evenly. Store in an airtight container.\u00a0 Add 2 tablespoons of tea mix to an 8 ounce mug of boiling water.<\/p>\n

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