Drink Mixes

I love fall. I love when it gets closer to the holidays, too. It means you need to be cooking with lots of pumpkin, cinnamon, and other spices that fill the house with a great smell! I've been doing my fair share of pumpkin, but realized this week that I hadn't made my annual instant drink mixes yet. What is even better about them than their great aroma and taste, is the fact that all the ingredients are local (at least in China!). Much easier than having people send packets of spiced cider and hot chocolate (though that is nice too!). I've had a sore throat this week, so the Russian Tea Mix was first on my list. Mocha Cinnamon Hot Chocolate might come next! By the way, these make GREAT gifts for Christmas!

Instant Spiced Tea (aka Russian Tea)

2 cups orange Tang

1 cup instant tea mix (Nestea--lemon flavored or plain)
1 cup instant lemonade or lemon Tang
3/4 cup white sugar (variation: sub instant Mango drink mix if you live in China!)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice (or cloves)

Mix everything together in ziplock bag or airtight container. You should come out with something looking like this:

I usually use 2-3 heaping teaspoons in a mug of hot water, but see how much you like. I will say about this recipe--anything can go! The proportions can be what you want them to and so can the spices. I've seen about every variation you can imagine as I've looked at recipes for this. Like I noted above, if you live in China and can get the mango flavored mix, its a really nice addition, but if not, just use sugar. Can't say I've ever seen so many flavors of Tang anywhere but here!

Mocha Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Mix

2 cups Nestle Quick (or Milo chocolate drink powder)

2 1/4 cups powdered sugar*

2 cups non-fat dry milk**

2 cups coffee creamer

3/4 cup instant coffee

3 Tbs cinnamon

Mix all ingredients. Put 3 Tbs (or so) in a mug with hot water when ready to drink. This recipe makes A LOT! I usually half it.

*Real powdered sugar is expensive here where I live. I save the real stuff for icing and make my own for this recipe. Simply put white sugar in a food processor, blender, or spice/coffee grinder and powder it. Or, if you want, just put in regular sugar! It won't really make a difference. If you try this method for icing, you'll end up with a very grainy icing, but it works fine in something where hot water will melt it!

**Non-fat milk powder may be hard to find. Just use whole milk powder. It won't matter.