Spice Tea: The Cozy, Nostalgic Holiday Drink I’m Passing Down
There are certain smells that can take you right back to childhood before you even realize what’s happening. For some people, it’s Christmas trees. For others, it’s cinnamon rolls in the oven or their grandmother’s perfume. For me?
It’s spice tea.
The second that warm, citrusy, cinnamon-and-clove goodness hits the air, I’m instantly back in my mom’s kitchen — tiny, crowded, loud, always warm, and always full of something being stirred, baked, wrapped, or gifted. If I close my eyes, I can still picture the jars she lined up on the counter, the mixing bowls, the measuring cups, and every little detail that made the holidays feel like magic.
And now, here I am… in my own kitchen, mixing up the same spice tea with my daughter — just like my mom did with me.
A full-circle moment if I’ve ever felt one.
This recipe isn’t just a drink.
It’s a memory.
It’s a tradition.
And it’s one of the easiest homemade holiday gifts you can possibly make.
If you’re looking for something unique to share this season — something different than the classic hot chocolate mix or the cookie-in-a-jar everyone has made since the dawn of Pinterest — you’ve found your next tradition.
Let me take you back a bit… because the story is almost as sweet (and spicy) as the tea itself.
A Childhood Job I Took Very Seriously
Every year when December rolled around, my mom had a list of people she made gifts for. (If you’re from a small town, you already know — the list was long.)
There were teachers, neighbors, church friends, holiday parties… but the biggest group of all?
Her garden club ladies.
These women didn’t play around. They exchanged thoughtful, handmade gifts every single year, and my mom always made her famous spice tea. And guess whose job it was to help?
Mine.
Every year, without fail, I mixed the batches and filled the jars. And listen — if you think I did it halfway, think again. I took my job very seriously. I remember it like it was yesterday: standing on a chair pulled up to the counter, stirring until every speck of cinnamon dissolved just right, making sure the jars were filled neatly (or as neatly as a child can manage), and feeling truly important.
It was a labor of love — and I was paid in tea.
And at the time? That felt like a pretty good deal.
Those simple moments shaped some of my favorite holiday memories. Which is why it means everything to me to share this same tradition with my daughter now. The smells, the story, the jars lined up on the counter… it’s crazy how life circles back.
Why Spice Tea Is the Unsung Hero of Holiday Drinks
Let’s be honest: during the holidays, hot chocolate steals a lot of the spotlight. Apple cider gets some love too.
But spice tea?
She’s been tucked in the background for way too long, quietly waiting for the world to remember how perfect she is.
Here’s why spice tea deserves her moment:
1. It smells like pure Christmas.
Warm cinnamon. Cozy cloves. That bright citrus from Tang and lemonade mix. One whiff and you’re suddenly wrapped in a blanket watching Hallmark movies.
2. It’s ridiculously easy.
Truly — you can’t mess this up. Mix. Stir. Jar. Done.
3. It’s budget-friendly but still feels thoughtful.
Homemade gifts don’t have to be expensive to feel special.
4. It’s unique!
The world has enough hot-chocolate jars. Truly.
This is different.
It stands out.
And people LOVE it.
5. It lasts.
No rushing to drink it before it spoils. The mix stores beautifully all season long.
6. It’s cozy, comforting, and nostalgic.
The flavor hits all the warm holiday notes — it’s sweet, it’s spiced, it’s citrusy, and it’s pure childhood for so many people who grew up in the South or in small towns.
If you’re looking for a gift that feels like a hug in a jar… this is it.
A Sweet Tradition With My Daughter
Making this with my daughter brings back every memory of my mom smiling over the mixing bowl. And now watching my daughter stir and giggle and try to “taste test” everything…
I swear, the holidays soften something in you.
There’s something special about passing down recipes that aren’t just good — they mean something. This one is woven with memories of three generations now. My mom taught me, I’m teaching my girl, and hopefully someday she’ll pass it along too.
I think that’s what makes recipes like this so magical. They’re simple, but they carry stories.
Friendship stories.
Family stories.
Garden-club-ladies-stories.
Growing-up stories.
I’m grateful every time I get to tell one.
Perfect for Gifting (Better Than Hot Chocolate Mix… Yes, I Said It)
Every December, we all hit that point where we’re thinking:
“What can I give that’s thoughtful but doesn’t take me 12 hours or half my paycheck?”
Spice tea is the answer.
Put it in a cute jar with a ribbon or a little handwritten tag and listen…
You’ve just given someone a cozy moment in a mug.
Give it to:
teachers neighbors coworkers friends your UPS driver hostess gifts Christmas Eve party favors your garden club 😉 literally anyone who appreciates something warm and homemade
Even better? It’s perfect for batching. Make a few big bowls of it and knock out half your gift list in one afternoon.
And yes — this is 100% more interesting than hot chocolate mix or those mason-jar cookie kits that have been floating around for the last 20 years. This is not just a recipe. It’s personality. It’s nostalgia. It’s tradition.
Let’s Make It: The Last Resort Lake House Spice Tea
Ingredients
1 cup instant unsweetened tea 1 cup Tang orange drink mix 1 cup lemonade drink mix (instant) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine the instant tea, Tang, lemonade mix, cinnamon, and cloves.
Mix until fully blended and smooth.
Store the spice tea mix in an airtight jar or container.
To serve, stir 2–3 teaspoons of mix into a mug of hot water.
Adjust to taste depending on how strong you like it.
Optional Add-Ins
A cinnamon stick for stirring A squeeze of fresh lemon A little honey for sweetness Extra cloves for a deeper, spicier flavor
Makes about 2 cups of mix.
Tips for Making This Even More Special
1. Jar presentation matters.
Pick jars that look intentional.
A ribbon.
A handwritten tag.
A tiny wooden spoon tied to the side.
Little touches make it feel elevated.
2. Multiply the recipe easily.
Large batch for gifting?
Just double, triple, or quadruple.
This recipe is really forgiving.
3. Make a “Holiday Tea Bar.”
Set out:
spice tea mix hot water lemon slices honey cinnamon sticks star anise
People love personalized drinks. It feels fancy with zero effort.
4. Include a story card.
Tell the tradition behind it.
A few lines like:
“This is the spice tea my mom made every Christmas. I helped stir the batches and fill the jars when I was little — now I’m sharing it with you.”
People adore knowing the story behind a homemade gift.
A Cozy Tradition Worth Keeping
There are recipes that feed your stomach, and recipes that feed your soul. This one somehow does both. It carries the warmth of my childhood, the love of my mom, the joy of passing it down, and the comfort of the holidays all in one little mug.
I hope this becomes a tradition in your home too — whether you make it with your kids, share it with your friends, or sip it quietly one morning when you need a moment of peace.
If you make it, let me know.
And if you gift it, I hope it brings the same joy it brought to our little kitchen growing up.
From my heart (and my mug) to yours — happy sipping, happy gifting, and happy memory-making.
Tracy 💛
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