12 Hot Tang Drinks for Winter: Cider, Spiced Tea, Chai & More

Tang can be heated into cozy winter drinks like citrus cider, spiced tea, chai latte, and orange mocha. This guide gives twelve simple recipes with pairing ideas, plus the story of how Tang became a household drink mix.

As the winter season arrives and the chill sets in, there's nothing as comforting to the soul as an invigorating warm drink. Among the options to keep the cold at bay, few are as versatile and cherished as Tang. Tang is not just a drink mix; it holds a rich history and cultural significance.

Can You Drink Tang Hot?

Yes, Tang can be enjoyed hot! Hot Tang is sometimes called Russian tea or spiced tea, and it is made of Tang powder mixed with hot water and spices like cinnamon and cloves that make it a delicious and warming drink for cold winter evenings.

The Story of Tang

In 1957, Tang was developed by William A. Mitchell, a food scientist working for General Foods Corporation. This beverage gained recognition in outer space, accompanying astronauts on their space missions during the 1960s. However, it truly thrived here on Earth, becoming an item found in pantries everywhere.

Recipes 1–12

Tangy Citrus Cider

Serves: 2

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of water
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cloves

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, bring water to a boil.
2. Add Tang powder, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
3. Allow it to simmer for five minutes.
4. Strain the mixture and serve while hot.

Pair with:

This drink goes well with gingerbread cookies or a slice of apple pie.

Spiced Tangy Tea

Serves: 4

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 2 tea bags
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
• Honey to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring the water to a boil. Steep the tea bags for around 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags. Add the Tang powder and grated ginger.
3. Let it simmer for 2 minutes. Sweeten with honey and serve.

Pair with:

This tea goes well with cinnamon rolls or scones.

Tangy Hot Chocolate

Serves: 2 Time:

10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of milk
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
• Marshmallows for topping

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan until it's hot but not boiling.
2. Whisk the cocoa powder with a little warm milk to smooth it.
3. Then let the milk cool and gradually whisk in the Tang powder to avoid curdling.
4. Mix in the cocoa mixture and stir in marshmallows.

Pair with:

Enjoy this chocolate with chocolate chip cookies or churros.

Tangy Mulled Wine

Serves: 5–6

Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of wine
• 1/4 cup of Tang powder
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 5 cloves
• Orange slices

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a pot.
2. Gently simmer them for 25 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture. Serve it warm.

Non-alcoholic option: Replace the wine with 750 ml of cranberry or grape juice and heat gently.

Pair with:

This tangy mulled wine pairs well with gingerbread cookies or a slice of apple pie.

Tangy Mint Tea

Serves: 4

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• Fresh mint leaves
• Honey to taste

Instructions:

1. Start by boiling the water. Then add the Tang powder.
2. Next, add some mint leaves. Let it steep for about 5 minutes.
3. Finally, sweeten the tea with honey according to your preference.

Pair with:

This mint tea pairs with lemon drizzle cake or shortbread cookies.

Tangy Cranberry Clove

Serves: 4

Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• 1 tsp of whole cloves

Instructions:

1. Heat cranberry juice along with Tang and cloves.
2. Simmer for 10 minutes, then strain and serve.

Pair with:

This clove-infused beverage pairs well with Turkey sliders or cranberry muffins.

Tangy Carrot Spice

Serves: 4

Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of carrot juice
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• Cinnamon stick
• Nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Heat carrot juice with Tang, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Simmer for 10 minutes, then strain and serve.

Serving suggestion:

Zucchini bread or cheese crisps.

Tangy Lemon Ginger Zinger

Serves: 4

Time: 10 minutes

You will need:

• 4 cups of water
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of ginger

Instructions:

1. Start by boiling the water, then add the Tang powder and lemon juice to it.
2. Next, add the ginger. Let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture. Serve it hot.

Serving suggestions:

This zesty drink pairs with lemon cookies or pound cake.

Tangy Chai Latte

Serves: 2

Time: 10 minutes

You will need:

• 2 cups of milk
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• 1 chai tea bag
• A cinnamon stick

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk. Steep the chai tea bag in it for 5 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bag and let the milk cool slightly.
3. Slowly whisk in the Tang powder to avoid curdling. Use less Tang for a less intense citrus flavor,
4. Serve this concoction with a cinnamon stick on top.

Serving suggestions:

Enjoy this chai latte with some biscotti or almond croissants.

Tangy Apple Twist

Serves: 4

Time: 15 minutes

You will need:

• 4 cups of apple cider
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 Star anise

Instructions:

1. Heat the apple cider along with the Tang powder, cinnamon stick, and star anise.
2. Let everything simmer together for 10 minutes; strain it before serving.

Serving suggestion:

For a pairing, indulge in this apple twist alongside some cheese straws or caramel popcorn.

Tangy Rosemary Citrus

Serves: 4

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup Tang powder
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• 1/4 cup honey

Instructions:

1. First, boil the water, then add Tang and honey.
2. Add rosemary and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Strain and serve warm.

Pair with:

This tangy rosemary citrus pairs well with olive oil crackers or bruschetta.

Tangy Orange Mocha

Serves: 2

Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of hot coffee
• 1/2 cup of Tang powder
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
• Whipped cream for topping

Instructions:

1. In a mug, mix the coffee, Tang, and cocoa.
2. Top it off with some whipped cream.

Serving suggestion:

Pair this mocha with biscotti or coffee cake for a treat.

Make-Ahead Hot Tang Spice Mix

A ready-to-prepare blend will make your hot tang drink ready in no time. A tang, a cup of instant tea, plus some warm spices will create a citrus treat known as Russian tea.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Tang powder
• 1/2 cup of unsweetened instant tea powder
• 2 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp of ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a dry bowl.

2. Store the mixture in an airtight container in a cool and dry place.

3. To prepare the drink, add 2-3 tsp of the mix to 1 cup of hot water and stir. Taste and add more if needed.

4. Store the mix in an airtight container and use a clean and dry spoon to avoid moisture and impurities. It is important to follow the storage instructions on the package of the instant tea and Tang.

Tips for Better Tang Drinks

• Adjust the amount of sweetness: Tang is already sweetened, so taste the drink before adding honey or sugar.
• Strain whole spices: Before serving, strain the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and other whole spices in the drink.
• Use less Tang: If you prefer your drinks less citrusy, you may want to consider reducing the amount.
• Avoid boiling: Once you have removed the water from the heat, you can add the Tang. To avoid curdling, warm the milk before adding it to the other ingredients. The tangy beverage must be served warm and not boiled or steamed to retain its citrus flavor.
• Mix milk: The acidity in Tang can curdle milk; therefore, allow the milk to cool before mixing it in a small amount of Tang while whisking.