Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
In this video I’m bringing you right into my kitchen while I make a batch of homemade Russian tea for Christmas gifting. If you grew up in the 80s like I did, you probably remember the instant mix version, but we’re doing something fresher and way more fun. I peel a pile of mandarins, slice lemons, toss in cranberries and pineapple, then add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger to make a light fruit infused syrup. Once that simmers and the flavors burst open, I brew up a pot of black tea and combine the two so each jar gets both tea and the bright citrus blend. I talk through each step, taste test it, and even share ideas for how to package it into cute Christmas gifts. It’s simple, cozy, and makes the whole house smell like the holidays.
🥫 FORJARS Black Friday Sales: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg
(Nov 21–30, 2025)
🥫 Up to 40% OFF jars, lids, Mylar bags, vacuum sealers & more
🥫 Gift Cards: Pay $80 → Get $100 for future shopping (valid through 2026, 5 days only!)
(Our coupon code SHOP1870 to get 10% off may not work during these sales, as the price is already discounted significantly)
Homemade Russian Tea (Canned Gift Version)
Fruit and Spice Infusion
Ingredients:
~12 mandarins, peeled and halved
2 lemons, sliced
A few handfuls of fresh cranberries
1 cup crushed pineapple
4 cinnamon sticks
~16 whole cloves
2 pieces dried ginger
2 cups sugar
10 cups water
Instructions:
Add water and sugar to a large pot and bring to a boil.
Add mandarins, lemons, cranberries, pineapple, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger.
Reduce to a simmer and cook 20–25 minutes, or until fruit membranes break and flavors release.
Turn off heat and let the mixture rest another 30 minutes.
Strain out fruit and spices. Lightly mash fruit to release extra juice, then strain again.
Taste. Sweeten only if desired. (She chose not to add more sugar.)
Black Tea
Ingredients:
12 cups water
16 bags Earl Grey or other black tea
Instructions:
Bring water to a boil.
Add tea bags and steep for about 5 minutes.
Remove tea bags.
Canning the Russian Tea
Assemble Together:
Add 1 cup of the fruit infusion to each jar.
Add 1 cup of the black tea to each jar.
Wipe rims thoroughly (important due to stickiness).
Add lids and rings.
Process in a steam canner or water bath for 10 minutes.
---------------
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🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
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🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 Welcome and Christmas Canning
00:24 What Russian Tea Means to Me
01:24 Ingredients for the Infused Syrup
02:12 Starting the Fruit and Spice Infusion
03:41 Adding Spices and Ginger
04:36 How the Infusion Comes Together
05:12 Simmering and Flavor Checking
06:18 Letting the Infusion Rest
06:52 Making the Black Tea
07:22 Straining the Fruit and Spices
08:44 Tasting and Sweetness Decision
10:18 Combining Tea and Infused Syrup
11:28 Cute Jars and Black Friday Mention
12:36 Gift Packaging Ideas
13:51 Finishing Jars and Steam Canning
14:56 Encouragement for Homemade Christmas
15:53 Wrapping Up and Holiday Wishes
In this video I’m bringing you right into my kitchen while I make a batch of homemade Russian tea for Christmas gifting. If you grew up in the 80s like I did, you probably remember the instant mix version, but we’re doing something fresher and way more fun. I peel a pile of mandarins, slice lemons, toss in cranberries and pineapple, then add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger to make a light fruit infused syrup. Once that simmers and the flavors burst open, I brew up a pot of black tea and combine the two so each jar gets both tea and the bright citrus blend. I talk through each step, taste test it, and even share ideas for how to package it into cute Christmas gifts. It’s simple, cozy, and makes the whole house smell like the holidays.
🥫 FORJARS Black Friday Sales: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg
(Nov 21–30, 2025)
🥫 Up to 40% OFF jars, lids, Mylar bags, vacuum sealers & more
🥫 Gift Cards: Pay $80 → Get $100 for future shopping (valid through 2026, 5 days only!)
(Our coupon code SHOP1870 to get 10% off may not work during these sales, as the price is already discounted significantly)
Homemade Russian Tea (Canned Gift Version)
Fruit and Spice Infusion
Ingredients:
~12 mandarins, peeled and halved
2 lemons, sliced
A few handfuls of fresh cranberries
1 cup crushed pineapple
4 cinnamon sticks
~16 whole cloves
2 pieces dried ginger
2 cups sugar
10 cups water
Instructions:
Add water and sugar to a large pot and bring to a boil.
Add mandarins, lemons, cranberries, pineapple, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger.
Reduce to a simmer and cook 20–25 minutes, or until fruit membranes break and flavors release.
Turn off heat and let the mixture rest another 30 minutes.
Strain out fruit and spices. Lightly mash fruit to release extra juice, then strain again.
Taste. Sweeten only if desired. (She chose not to add more sugar.)
Black Tea
Ingredients:
12 cups water
16 bags Earl Grey or other black tea
Instructions:
Bring water to a boil.
Add tea bags and steep for about 5 minutes.
Remove tea bags.
Canning the Russian Tea
Assemble Together:
Add 1 cup of the fruit infusion to each jar.
Add 1 cup of the black tea to each jar.
Wipe rims thoroughly (important due to stickiness).
Add lids and rings.
Process in a steam canner or water bath for 10 minutes.
---------------
👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 Welcome and Christmas Canning
00:24 What Russian Tea Means to Me
01:24 Ingredients for the Infused Syrup
02:12 Starting the Fruit and Spice Infusion
03:41 Adding Spices and Ginger
04:36 How the Infusion Comes Together
05:12 Simmering and Flavor Checking
06:18 Letting the Infusion Rest
06:52 Making the Black Tea
07:22 Straining the Fruit and Spices
08:44 Tasting and Sweetness Decision
10:18 Combining Tea and Infused Syrup
11:28 Cute Jars and Black Friday Mention
12:36 Gift Packaging Ideas
13:51 Finishing Jars and Steam Canning
14:56 Encouragement for Homemade Christmas
15:53 Wrapping Up and Holiday Wishes
