If there is cool crisp air outside, you need a hot fruit & cinnamon tea to warm you on the inside. I want to share a family favorite recipe. When I make this, I guarantee my family will drink it all in one day. I got this recipe handed down to me from my mother and she called it ‘Russian Tea.’ I guess it may have originated in Russia.
I’ve got two ways that you can make this tea. The first takes a bit longer, but has a deeper flavor because you hand-squeeze the fruits and then boil the rinds to add to the tea. The second way is to make this tea with bottled juices — still quite delicious but quick & easy to make.
Step 1: You can start a small tea kettle or boil/microwave some water to make 1 cup of strong tea infusion. Boil the water and add 2 – 3 small tea bags to steep while you are finishing other steps. (You can skip Step 1 for now if you are making to serve much later, see party prep tip below)
Step 2: Mix sugar, water and a cinnamon stick to make a simple syrup in a deep 3 quart pot. Bring this to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Of course, you can also change out your sweeteners for this tea recipe. I’ve made it with all honey, raw cane sugar, or combo of stevia and sugar. When you use all honey, the syrup will get rather foamy while boiling.
Step 3: While the tea is steeping and syrup is boiling, you can squeeze your oranges and lemons. Put the rinds in a separate large pot. Then add the squeezed juices plus small can of pineapple juice to the boiled syrup. I recommend pouring the juices through a strainer just in case there are seeds.
Step 4: Add 2 cups of water to the separate pot with the leftover orange and lemon rinds and boil for 3 minutes. Squeeze the rinds into the water with large tongs. Then pour this mixture through a strainer into your large pot that has the syrup/juice mixture.
Step 5: Add additional 4 cups of water and heat to boiling.
Step 6: Then add tea infusion.
TIME-SAVER TIP: Omit the Steps 3, 4 & 5 and use 1 1/4 cups bottled orange juice, 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp. bottled real lemon juice and 6 cups water.
PARTY PREP TIP: Omit Step 1 until party. Make the fruit syrup (Steps 2, 3, 4) ahead of time and store in the fridge. Just before serving you can add fresh tea infusion and additional water. Heat to simmering and serve hot.
I hope you enjoy. Stay warm! And who doesn’t like a new mug? Check out our mug collection today.
Be Blessed,
Momma
Fruity Cinnamon Hot Tea
This hot tea will please a crowd. It’s sweet, fruity with a hint of cinnamon. Plan on doubling it, because your family will love it! Also great for holiday parties.
Ingredients
Ingredients for fruit syrup:
- 1 cup sugar or honey, cane sugar, stevia, or combo
- 1 cup water
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 2 large oranges juiced (yields 1 cup juice)
- 2 medium lemons juiced (yields 1/3 cup juice)
- 1 6 oz can of pineapple juice
- 2 cups water
Ingredients for tea:
- 1 cup strong tea infusion 2-3 small tea bags
- 4 cups additional water
Instructions
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Step 1: Make 1 cup of strong tea infusion.
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Step 2: Mix sugar, water and a cinnamon stick to make a simple syrup and boil for 5 minutes.
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Step 3: Add the squeezed juices plus small can of pineapple juice to the boiled syrup.
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Step 4: In separate pot, add 2 cups of water to the leftover orange and lemon rinds and boil for 3 minutes. Squeeze the rinds into the water with large tongs. Then pour this mixture through a strainer into your large pot that has the syrup/juice mixture.
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Step 5: Add additional 4 cups of water and heat to boiling.
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Step 6: Add tea infusion.
Recipe Notes
TIME-SAVER TIP: Omit the Steps 3 & 4 and use 1 1/4 cups bottled orange juice, 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp. bottled real lemon juice; and for Step 5 use 6 cups water instead. Plus, still use small can of pineapple juice. This tip just eliminates need for squeezing fruits and boiling rinds and increases the amount of water, orange and lemon juice added.
PARTY PREP TIP: Omit Step 1 until party. Make the fruit syrup (Steps 2, 3, 4) ahead of time and store in the fridge. Just before serving you can add fresh tea infusion and additional water. Heat to simmering and serve hot.