Cooler weather means it’s time for warm drinks. This recipe comes from my Mother-in-Law. While tea features in it, the citrus components dilute the tea taste. So much that even my parents who aren’t tea drinkers like it. It’s become a staple at Thanksgiving.

This family recipe became the inspiration for the Elven drink Witch’s Brew in my short story Reconciled. You can read about it in the Shadow Kisses anthology.

Russian Tea

Ingredients
2 cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 cups water + additional as needed
4 small tea bags
1 small can pineapple juice
1 small can orange juice (concentrate)
1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions
Combine cinnamon sticks, cloves, sugar, and two cups water. Simmer for one hour.
Add four small tea bags to simmered water. Make tea.
Combine tea and pineapple juice, orange juice, and lemon juice. Add enough water to make a total of five quarts of tea. (Less water if you desire a stronger tea.)