Friendship Tea Recipes

Friendship tea is a prepared dry mixture of instant tea, spices and other store-bought powdered drinks that, when combined with boiling water and served hot or over ice, creates a quick, refreshing beverage that is sweet and satisfying.

While recipes vary, most consistently include sugar, lemon and orange flavored powders, along with instant tea. Spices typically include cinnamon and cloves.

When mixed together and stored in a airtight container, the instant brew stays fresh for weeks and offers ready-made convenience and zesty flavor.

In addition to making the tea for personal use, the dry mixture can be poured into decorative jars or tins, tied with ribbons, and given as gifts to friends and loved ones.

Here are some recipes to try; yet, be as creative with your ingredients as your palate desires.

Traditional Friendship Tea

Ingredients
1/2 cup instant tea powder
1 cup sweetened lemonade powder
1 cup orange-flavored drink mix
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions
In a large bowl, combine instant tea, lemonade powder, orange drink mix, cinnamon and clove. Mix well and store in an airtight container. To serve, put 1 tablespoon of mix in a mug. Stir in 1 cup of boiling water.

Spicy Friendship Tea

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup red cinnamon candy (like “red hots” or similar)
1/3 cup instant tea mix
2 cups of powdered/instant orange drink
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions
Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To serve, stir 1 1/2 tablespoons of mix into 1 cup hot water, stirring until the candies dissolve.

Friendship Tea: Variation

Ingredients
1 cup instant iced tea
1 1/2 cups of orange flavored drink mix
2 cups sugar
1 package powdered lemonade mix
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon of anise

Directions
Mix all ingredients and store in a covered jar or other container. To serve, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of mixture per cup of hot water. For iced tea, pour the hot mixture over ice and serve at once.

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