Get ready to wrap you fingers around a warm cup of this delightful, Christmas tea. As it's notes of mint, orange, and warm spices wash over your tastebuds, take a deep breath and enjoy a quiet moment of reflection over all your blessings this holiday season. Now, pour a few more glasses, share them with your loved ones, and make some sweet, joy-filled memories to treasure in your heart for a lifetime!
Recently, when visiting family for the holidays, we attended an extended family Christmas gathering. For us Arizonians, getting there was a fun little adventure! It required heading out on a cold, snowy night, taking back country roads that had yet to be touched by snowplows. How delightful it was to arrive, stomp the snow from our feet, and warm up indoors! It was for this event that one of my aunts made this Christmas tea. It really was the perfect, cozy drink for a cold, snowy Christmas party. And I kept going back for refills!
The following year, as the mornings began to get chillier, I found myself wanting to begin the day with a good, hot beverage. I began reminiscing about that delicious Christmas tea my aunt had made. And, finally, I just had to call my aunt for the recipe so that I could make it whenever I wished. Now, I'm sharing it with you all!
I love this tea because it's a deliciously creative alternative to the "expected" holiday warm drinks. It's lightly sweetened - not too rich and heavy like hot chocolate or specialty coffees tend to be. I love the blend of teas, the warm hints of spice, along with just a touch of citrus. And the saffron adds a surprising, delicately floral flavor that just brings all the flavors together in beautiful harmony.
Is this Christmas Tea Just for the Holidays?
With a title like "Christmas Tea," one might think it's only for the holidays. But really, this tea can be enjoyed anytime! While this Christmas tea is perfect for Christmas Parties, festive family gatherings, or wintery sledding/skating parties, you are welcome to enjoy it anytime you wish! The recipe creates a quart of brewed, concentrated tea that is stored in the refrigerator. This concentrate can, then, either be made into one kettle/slow cooker full to share or it can be used for single servings.
On cold, frosty mornings, this tea has got you covered! Grab a warm mug full, along with your favorite, cuddly throw blanket, and find yourself a cozy spot to curl up. Soak up some quite time as this Christmas tea warms you from the inside out. It's a wonderful way to start your morning, I promise!
So, if you are on the hunt for a creative warm and cozy drink to serve over the holidays or you are looking for a new favorite to enjoy throughout the year just for yourself, give this Christmas tea a try! It's sure to be a winner!
More Holiday Recipes
Searching for other recipes for your holiday events? Try these!
Smoked Salmon Phyllo Appetizers (perfect for any holiday parties)
Amish Sticky Buns (Christmas morning brunch, anyone?)
Old-Fashioned Baked Corn (a traditional, old-fashioned side dish for any holiday dinner)
Christmas Tea Ingredients
What You'll Need to Make the Christmas Tea Concentrate
1 Quart Boiling Water
9 Tea Bags - 3 Black Tea, 3 Green Tea, 3 Mint Tea
3 Cinnamon Sticks
1 tsp. Saffron
½ tsp. Whole Cloves
1 tsp. Orange Extract
Additional Ingredients Added Before Serving
4 Quarts Water
¾ c. Sugar (can be adjusted to taste)
Optional Garnish Suggestions: Slices of fresh or dehydrated oranges, extra cinnamon sticks and cloves
Directions
How to Make the Christmas Tea Concentrate
In a Tea kettle or medium sized pot, bring 1 quart of water to a boil. While you wait for the water to boil, add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, saffron, and orange extract to a glass quart jar. Next, add the tea bags. The strings attached to the bags should drape over the edge with the paper tabs on the outside of the jar.
Slowly and carefully, pour the hot water into the jar and quickly screw on the lid. The Jar heats up quickly, so be careful not to burn your fingers!
Let the tea seep for 5-6 hours at room temperature. Then, remove and discard the tea bags. Your concentrate is ready to be used! If you plan to use it immediately, move on with the directions. Otherwise, transfer the jar to the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
How to prepare Christmas Tea for Serving
Now that you've masterfully crafted your Christmas tea concentrate, it's time to turn those flavorful concoctions into heartwarming moments. Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or treating yourself to a quiet evening by the fireplace, here are some directions on preparing and serving the Christmas tea.
To heat on the stove top:
- When you are ready to serve the Christmas tea, pour the tea concentrate, along with the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and saffron that are still in the jar, into a 1 ½ - 2 gallon stock pot.
- Add 4 quarts of water and ¾ c. sugar. Heat on your stovetop on medium-high. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar.
- When the tea reaches your desired temperature, either carefully transfer the tea to a slow cooker or drink dispenser or your choice, or simply serve from the stock pot using a ladle.
- Garnish with the orange slices and a few more cinnamon sticks and cloves, if desired.
To heat in a slow cooker:
- Add everything to a 6 quart or larger slow cooker and heat on high until desired serving temperature is achieved. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then, set to warm.
- Garnish with orange slices and a few more cinnamon sticks and cloves, if desired.
For individual servings:
- Use a ratio of 1 part Christmas tea concentrate to 4 parts water. So, for a 10 oz. mug of tea, mix 2 ounces of the concentrated Christmas tea with 8 ounces of hot water.
- Sweeten to taste and enjoy!
Storing Your Christmas Tea Concentrate and Any Leftover Prepared Tea
Creating the perfect Christmas tea concentrate is a labor of love, and preserving its festive medley of flavors is essential to ensure delightful sips throughout the holiday season. Here's a guide to storing your Christmas tea concentrate, making the preparation process seamless whenever the mood for festive cheer strikes:
- Refrigerate the Tea Concentrate for Extended Freshness: While the concentrate is ready to use immediately, if you plan to enjoy it over a more extended period, consider refrigerating the jar. The cold environment of the refrigerator helps slow down any potential degradation of flavors, allowing you to savor the Christmas tea concentrate at its best.
- Freezing the Christmas Tea Concentrate: After the Christmas Tea has seeped and the tea bags have been removed, it can be frozen, if necessary. I recommend removing the cinnamon sticks and cloves beforehand. Then, pour the tea into a sturdy freezer bag or airtight container and freeze until you are ready to use it.
- Refrigerate Any Leftover Christmas Tea: After preparing and serving this Christmas tea, any that remains can be refrigerated to be enjoyed later. Simply allow the tea to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an appropriately sized pitcher or glass jar. Enjoy it hot or iced later!
Christmas Tea
Wrap your fingers around a warm cup of delightful Christmas tea as it's notes of mint, orange, and warm spices dance across your tastebuds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 Hour Seep time
- Total Time: 5-6 hrs.
- Yield: 5 quarts 1x
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
What You'll Need to Make the Christmas Tea Concentrate
1 Quart Boiling Water
9 Tea Bags - 3 Black Tea, 3 Green Tea, 3 Mint Tea
3 Cinnamon Sticks
1 tsp. Saffron
½ tsp. Whole Cloves
1 tsp. Orange Extract
Additional Ingredients Added Before Serving
4 Quarts Water
¾ c. Sugar (can be adjusted to taste)
Optional Garnish Suggestions: Slices of fresh or dehydrated oranges, extra cinnamon sticks and cloves
Instructions
How to Make the Christmas Tea Concentrate
- In a Tea kettle or medium sized kettle, bring 1 quart of water to a boil. While you wait for the water to boil, add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, saffron, and orange extract to a glass quart jar. Next, add the tea bags. The strings attached to the bags should drape over the edge with the paper tabs on the outside of the jar.
- Slowly and carefully, pour the hot water into the jar and quickly screw on the lid. The Jar heats up quickly, so be careful not to burn your fingers!
- Let the tea seep for 5-6 hours at room temperature. Then, remove and discard the tea bags. Your concentrate is ready to be used! If you plan to use it immediately, move on with the directions. Otherwise, transfer the jar to the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
How to prepare Christmas Tea for Serving
Now that you've masterfully crafted your Christmas tea concentrate, it's time to turn those flavorful concoctions into heartwarming moments. Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or treating yourself to a quiet evening by the fireplace, here are some directions on preparing and serving the Christmas tea.
To heat on the stove top:
- When you are ready to serve the tea, pour the tea concentrate, along with the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and saffron that are still in the jar, into a 1 ½ - 2 gallon stock pot.
- Add 4 quarts of water and ¾ c. sugar. Heat on your stovetop on medium-high. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar.
- When the tea reaches a desired temperature, either carefully transfer the tea to a slow cooker or drink dispenser or your choice, or simply serve from the stock pot using a ladle.
- Garnish with the orange slices and a few more cinnamon sticks and cloves, if desired.
To heat in a slow cooker:
- Add everything (1 quart of tea concentrate, 4 quarts water, and ¾ c. sugar) to a 6 quart or larger slow cooker and heat on high until desired serving temperature is achieved. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then, set to warm.
- Garnish with orange slices and a few more cinnamon sticks and cloves, if desired.
For individual servings:
- Use a ratio of 1 part Christmas tea concentrate to 4 parts water. So, for a 10 oz. mug of tea, mix 2 ounces of the concentrated Christmas tea with 8 ounces of hot water.
- Sweeten to taste and enjoy!
Notes
Storing Your Christmas Tea Concentrate and Any Leftover Prepared Tea
Creating the perfect Christmas tea concentrate is a labor of love, and preserving its festive medley of flavors is essential to ensure delightful sips throughout the holiday season. Here's a guide to storing your Christmas tea concentrate, making the preparation process seamless whenever the mood for festive cheer strikes:
Refrigerate the Tea Concentrate for Extended Freshness: While the concentrate is ready to use immediately, if you plan to enjoy it over a more extended period, consider refrigerating the jar. The cold environment of the refrigerator helps slow down any potential degradation of flavors, allowing you to savor the Christmas tea concentrate at its best.
Freezing the Christmas Tea Concentrate: After the Christmas Tea has seeped and the tea bags have been removed, it can be frozen, if necessary. I recommend removing the cinnamon sticks and cloves beforehand. Then, pour the tea into a sturdy freezer bag or airtight container and freeze until you are ready to use it.
Refrigerate Any Leftover Christmas Tea: After preparing and serving this Christmas tea, any that remains can be refrigerated to be enjoyed later. Simply allow the tea to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an appropriately sized pitcher or glass jar. Enjoy it hot or iced later!
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