Ingredients
Method
Step 1: Prepare Your Citrus
- Start by slicing your oranges and lemons. You'll be using 3 oranges and 2 lemons total.
- These juicy citrus fruits are what give homemade Russian tea its bright, refreshing flavor.
Step 2: Start the Base
- Add 8 cups of water to a large pot.
- Throw in all your sliced oranges and lemons. Don't worry about being too precise here—just toss them in!
Step 3: Add Your Spices
- Now it's time to add the warming spices:
- Drop in 2 cinnamon sticks
- Add about 8 whole cloves
- Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
- Pour in 1/2 cup of sugar (you can always add more later if you want it sweeter)
Step 4: Bring to a Boil
- Turn up the heat and bring your mixture to a boil.
- Important: Do NOT add the tea bags yet! This is a common mistake that can ruin your homemade Russian tea.
Step 5: Let It Simmer
- Once your mixture is boiling, reduce the heat and let everything simmer for about 5 minutes.
- This gives the citrus and spices time to blend together and create that wonderful flavor.
Step 6: Add the Tea
- Now it's time to add your black tea bags.
- Remove the pot from heat first, then add the tea bags. Let them steep in the hot mixture for about 5 minutes.
- This allows all the tea to infuse properly without becoming bitter.
Step 7: Remove Everything
- After steeping, it's time to strain out the fruit and tea bags.
- You can use:
- A small strainer
- A large strainer
- A sieve
- Cheesecloth (this works great if you don't like pulp)
Pro tip: Don't squeeze the tea bags! Squeezing them releases bitter tannins that will make your tea taste harsh and unpleasant. Just lift them out gently.
Step 8: Taste and Adjust
- This is the moment of truth!
- Give your homemade Russian tea a taste. If you like it sweeter, add more sugar now. Stir it in well and taste again.
- If you used a regular strainer and there's too much pulp for your liking, you can strain it again through cheesecloth for a cleaner tea.