As a freshman at the University of South Alabama in 1973, I had a part-time job in the Department of Philosophy. The department secretary, (they were called secretaries back then) Ellie, and I shared a space that was also the front lobby of the Department. The faculty would frequently gather where we sat and and they would drink coffee and chat. That was the first time I had been around so many academicians. They were an interesting bunch. Some friendly, some stand-offish. Some happy, some seemingly depressed. They were either Christian and Jewish theologians or Atheists. I don’t recall anyone from other religions. This was Mobile, Alabama in the early 70’s. The University was relatively new and probably didn’t attract a diverse faculty.
Their front lobby discussions were quite interesting owing to their differing opinions regarding religion. Ellie and I never participated in the discussion. We would sit quietly. One day, the discussion became rather spirited. Glancing at Ellie, I could she was becoming increasingly nervous. I wondered if the two faculty members engaged in the discussion would eventually come to fist-a-cuffs. Ellie’s behavior suggested she was thinking the same thing. As the “discussion” elevated, Ellie suddenly blurted out, “Jackie, have you ever had Spiced Tea?” The discussion stopped dead cold and all eyes fixed on me waiting for my answer. She had obviously said this as a hint to the dueling professors that they should take their argument somewhere else. As everyone in the room waited for my answer, I showed off my simple upbringing and lack of worldly knowledge and answered, “I don’t think so. We only drink Luzianne tea at my house.” I had no idea what Spiced Tea was. The brand of tea that we used to make iced tea was Luzianne. The room erupted in laughter and everyone thought I was making a joke. I laugh at that now and still appreciate my simple upbringing.
After the room cleared, Ellie went on to tell me that Spiced Tea is a drink mix for hot tea that she had been making for years and she would like to share the recipe with me. The next day, she brought in some of the drink mix along with the recipe. She explained to me that some people call it Russian Tea but they were incorrect. She told me the difference between the two but that difference didn’t stick in my memory bank. She made me a cup of the hot, spicy tea and I thought it was indescribably good.
I’ve made this tea every year at Christmas time since 1973 and I still have the original recipe that I copied from Ellie. It makes wonderful gifts and is great to have around to house to offer to guests. The flavors are perfect for Christmas.
You can see this is a well-loved and well used recipe
I’ve made some modification to the original recipes to make it more reflective of the current availability of products. It’s difficult to find plain instant tea now. I guess folks finally figured out the stuff isn’t drinkable. Some years I can find it, some years I can’t. This was one of the can’t years. I used Publix brand Natural Lemon flavored iced tea mix and increased the amount to 1 cup. Kool-Aid brand lemonade isn’t always available plus I think Country Time Lemonade drink mix has the best flavor. Instead of 13 ounces, I measure out 2 cups. I believe Kool-Aid lemonade used to come in a 13 ounce canister. The smallest size Country Time that I can find is 19 ounces. I increased the ground cloves to 1 teaspoon and the cinnamon to 1 tablespoon. Since the instant tea mix has sugar, you might want to back off on the amount of sugar you add. I use the full two cup measure and it suited me just fine. However, I might remind you that I have a tremendous affinity for sugar. I don’t just have a sweet tooth. I have a sweet head.
Y’all come see us.
Spiced Tea
2 cups Tang powdered drink mix
1 1/2 to 2 cups sugar
1 cup lemon flavored iced tea mix (I used Publix brand) or 1/2 cup plain instant tea
2 cups Country Time lemonade drink mix
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Mix all ingredients well. Add about 1/4 cup to 12 ounces of boiling water in a mug. Stir well. For your fist cup, start with a little less than 1/4 cup and stir and taste until you get just right for your taste.
Here’s to you, Ellie!
tina says
I make something almost identical with the addition of a package of redhots ground into a fine powder in the blender. Love it when the weather gets cold!
Jackie Garvin says
What a great idea using Redhots instead of ground cinnamon! It would add some color to the drink mix, too! I like to add a teaspoon to Redhots to hot apple juice or hot apple cider.
Thanks, Tina! 🙂
Mary Ann says
This is one of my favorite holiday gifts, packed in a pretty tin and a handwritten recipe card…always welcome!
Jackie Garvin says
Mary Ann,
I’m going to a party this afternoon that has three hostesses. I got three hostess gift bags ready to go with the Spiced Tea packaged up real pretty. 🙂
Jane A Bratton says
I haven’t made this in years, but I remember loving it! I can’t wait to try this updated version. Thanks for the reminder.
Jackie Garvin says
Jane,
Enjoy! 🙂
Sandra Davis says
What a great story Jackie, I am making this for my Mom when she comes for Christmas. I know she will love it. We all will enjoy it! Thx!
Jackie Garvin says
Sandra,
I hope you and your family enjoy this wonderful beverage. Merry Christmas to you, your Mama and your whole family! 🙂
Jane says
Haven’t made this in years!! Interestingly enough, I had my first taste of Spiced Tea in 1973 as a freshman at Radford College in southwestern Virginia. The college bookstore carried powdered Constant Comment in single-serve packets, and armed with our trusty hot pots (remember those?), my roomie and I consumed many, many cups!!!
Jackie Garvin says
Jane,
How ironic that you were introduced to Spiced Tea as a college freshman, too! And the same year as me, no doubt. I dare say that you didn’t enjoy such lively conversations on the Philosophy Department as I did! 🙂
Michele says
Thanks, Jackie! This brings back so many wonderful memories! I suppose it must have been in mid-70s that I “discovered” Spice Tea Mix. As I recall someone brought it to work around Thanksgiving (or Christmas?) and by the end of the day, the recipe was flying all around the office! I found it very clever, time-saving and delicious! There were those of my older relatives that were not so impressed… “Tastes okay, they said, but WHAT ABOUT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S SPICED TEA?!?!?!?!? That’s what we ALWAYS drink during the Holidays!” A diemma, but not for long. I continued to use the mix (kinda sorta on the sly, low profile), but on Christmas Eve, I always brewed up “Mammy’s Spiced Tea”. It’s delicious of course, and helped keep peace in the family! (Recipe available on request) Merry Christmas, dear Jackie!
Jackie Garvin says
Merry Christmas to you, sweet Michelle. I would be thrilled if you would share your Mammy’s Spiced Tea recipe! 🙂
Amy says
I think your sweet head was passed along to me too.
Jackie Garvin says
Amos,
It definitely runs in the family. We come from a long line of sweet heads! 🙂
Celia Winters says
I do another liquid version of what we call ‘Russian Tea’ and here’s the recipe –
Place in one pot 8 c. water and 8 teabags – Place in another pot 8 c. water, 2 c. sugar & 10-12 whole cloves. Bring both pots to a boil – discard teabags and whole cloves – combine both pots and add the juice of 2 lemons, a small can of pineapple juice (I am talking about the can that holds like a cup or a bit more) and 3 cups of canned orange juice. I make this and when cool place it in a container in the refrigerator. When you want a cup, shake container well, pour and microwave. It keeps for about a week that is if it lasts that long. This is a recipe from my friend’s mother that she made of us all the time more than forty years ago. Enjoy!
Jackie Garvin says
Celia,
This sounds delicious and I’m sure the taste would be very similar to my Spiced Tea mix. Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Jean says
I was introduced to this fine beverage at a later date too. Heck, we only drank tea! I love this stuff and red hots in it would be even better. I am passing this along to a friend who is looking for food gifts to make for teachers. I haven’t made it in a while so I didn’t know you couldn’t get the plain tea.
Silly me! PS….your recipes look like mine. You can always tell which pages I use the most in my cookbooks as they have something on them or stuck together!
Jackie Garvin says
Jean,
You can easily pick out my favorite cookbooks by the looks of the pages, too! 🙂
trish says
Oh my… my mom would make this and think is was the greatest… i had the opinion it was not so good… but she would insist we have a cup with neighbors that dropped by… I often wondered if they too were drinking it to be polite…LOL
Jackie Garvin says
Trish,
You’re the first person I know of that has said they don’t care for this drink. Maybe you should try it again now that you’re all grown up. 🙂
Gooseberry Patch says
You’re a great storyteller, Jackie…loved this post!
Jackie Garvin says
Thanks, Jenn! So glad you enjoyed it. 😉
Ann says
Yummy – I remember having this throughout the years – bet it would even taste good with a spot of Rum in it! I have a recipe that uses Red Hots and you make it in the Crock Pot and leave it on low all day – smells yummy and tastes great! Thanks Jackie
Jackie Garvin says
Adding rum would make it a quite nice adult beverage. I’ve put mine in a crockpot to keep it warm when we are serving several guests. That’s much easier than boiling water for several individual cups.
Merry Christmas, Ann! 🙂
Karen Powell says
Jackie, a nice walk down memory lane. bill’s Mom used to make this years ago. she and I would sip it out of beautiful china cups and also give it as gifts. Happy Holidays to your whole gang!
Jackie Garvin says
Merry Christmas to you, Bill and the family! 🙂
Donna ivie says
What could you use instead of tea I’m not a tea drinker? Could you replace with a herbal tea? If so what kind?
Jackie Garvin says
Donna,
You could either leave it out or replace it with something like camomile. I’d stay away from peppermint. The flavor may play bitter against orange and lemon.
elizabeth says
Thank you for your suggestions for substituting unavailable products. I have found that problem also. Who would have thought you couldn’t find plain instant tea anymore?
Jackie Garvin says
Elizabeth,
For the past few years, I’ve had to use instant tea with lemon and sugar because plain instant tea was nowhere to be found.