A Homemade Holiday: Aunt Cindy’s Hot Spiced Tea Mix

Hey there, Friends!  Sorry for dropping off the face of the Earth in the midst of A Homemade Holiday!  I underestimated what kind of attention Thanksgiving week would require of me, and this week E came down with a cold, so I’m running behind schedule.  My friend Linda of Apron Strings & Other Things wrote our guest post for today, and I’m so glad to have her here!  Welcome, Linda!

There’s something so comforting about snuggling up on a cold, winter evening with your favorite book and a hot cup of something. When the temperature drops, the winds begin to blow and the snow starts to fly, my children are ready for a mug of a special drink they call Aunt Cindy’s Hot Spice Tea.

During the colder months of the year I try to keep the ingredients this stocked in our pantry. Not only do my kids love it, we often mix up a batch to share as gifts, too. In fact, this is how we discovered this delicious recipe.

I have a sister who’s love language is gift-giving. And yummy, homemade gifts are her specialty. Several years ago, she sent us a yummy drink mix in a jar for Christmas and when my family devoured it I just had to get the recipe. I was pleasantly surprised at how simple and accessible all the ingredients were – I had most of them in my cupboard already!

Since that day, we’ve enjoyed it in our home and we’ve shared jars of this homemade goodness with others. We have a lot of fun mixing up BIG batches and filling pretty jars, thinking of those who’ll be able to enjoy a hot cuppa with their own loved ones. We like to add a little ribbon and a card that lists instructions for mixing (sometimes the recipe itself.)

Our hot spiced tea is nice to have around for unexpected company and impromptu tea parties. All you need is a little of your homemade tea mix and some hot water and you have something special!

To make Aunt Cindy’s Hot Spiced Tea Mix you’ll need:

• 1 1/2 c. instant tea
• 1 c. tang mix (I’ve tried off brands, they are okay but not nearly as tasty)
• 1 c. lemonade mix
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Store in tightly sealed container. Use 2 heaping tsp. per cup of hot water.

This recipe is very forgiving. You can add more tea, less sugar, or adjust the clove and cinnamon ratio to suit your taste. I usually triple the recipe so we have plenty on hand. You can also use more or less per cup, depending on your preference.

This is one DIY gift-in-a-jar my children and I use nearly every year. What other homemade gifts do you and your children enjoy giving?

~Linda

Linda Sears is a stay-at-home wife, homeschooling mom and doting grandmother. She and her husband have 8 children plus 2 daughters-in-law, 2 sons-in-law and 12 grandchildren, so far. They have been homeschooling for more than 25 years, graduating 4 of their 8 children, with 4 still at home. You’ll find her at Apron Strings & other things where she shares tidbits, tales, tricks and tips while living life in various stages of cutting those apron strings. You can also find her on FaceBook, Pinterest,