Russian Tea Recipe

Water: The base of the tea, used to extract flavors from the other ingredients.

Black tea leaves: Provides the strong, robust flavor typical of Russian tea.

Cinnamon stick: Adds a warm, sweet-spicy aroma and taste.

Cloves: Contributes a rich, aromatic spice that complements the tea.

Lemon: Adds a fresh, citrusy note to balance the spices.

Sugar or honey: Sweetens the tea to your taste preference.

To enhance the flavor of your Russian tea, consider lightly toasting the cinnamon stick and cloves in a dry pan over medium heat for a minute before adding them to the teapot. This will release their essential oils and deepen the aromatic profile of your tea.

• water - Substitute with coconut water: Adds a slightly sweet and nutty flavor that complements the tea.

• black tea leaves - Substitute with green tea leaves: Offers a lighter, more delicate flavor while still providing a caffeine boost.

• cinnamon stick - Substitute with ground cinnamon: Provides the same warm, spicy flavor; use ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon for each stick.

• cloves - Substitute with allspice berries: Allspice has a similar warm, spicy flavor profile, though slightly milder.

• lemon slice - Substitute with orange slice: Adds a citrusy note but with a sweeter, less tart flavor.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Adds sweetness with a hint of caramel flavor.

• honey - Substitute with agave nectar: Provides a similar sweetness and is a good vegan alternative.

• Allow the tea to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation and maintains the flavor profile.
• Transfer the cooled tea into an airtight container. Glass jars or BPA-free plastic containers work best to preserve the aroma and taste.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The tea will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• If you prefer to freeze the tea, pour it into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the tea cubes into a freezer-safe bag or container. This method allows you to thaw only what you need.
• To reheat, simply place the tea cubes in a pot and warm over low heat, or microwave in a microwave-safe container until hot.
• Always taste the tea after reheating and adjust the sweetness with sugar or honey if necessary, as freezing can sometimes dull the flavors.
• For an extra burst of freshness, add a new slice of lemon before serving.

• Pour the leftover Russian tea into a small saucepan.
• Heat the tea over medium heat until it begins to steam, but do not let it boil. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
• Alternatively, pour the tea into a microwave-safe mug and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a small plate.
• Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to avoid overheating.
• If the tea has lost some of its flavor, add a fresh slice of lemon and a dash of cinnamon or a couple of cloves to revive its aromatic profile.
• Sweeten again with sugar or honey if needed, as reheating can sometimes dull the sweetness.

• Kettle: Used to boil the water needed for the tea.

• Teapot: Holds the tea leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves while they steep in the boiling water.

• Strainer: Used to strain the tea leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves from the liquid before serving.

• Cups: Used to serve the tea.

• Spoon: Used to add and stir in sugar or honey to taste.

• Knife: Used to slice the lemon.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to safely slice the lemon.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out tea leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves in advance to save time.

Use an electric kettle: Boil water faster with an electric kettle instead of a stovetop.

Steep in a teapot with a strainer: Use a teapot with a built-in strainer to eliminate the need for separate straining.

Prepare lemon slices ahead: Slice the lemon and store in the fridge to quickly add to your tea.

Sweeten in bulk: Mix sugar or honey in a small jar for easy access.