Southern Spiced Tea

This is my mother's recipe, originally from the 1800's, modern conversions are in parentheses. I grew up drinking it in the winter but like it year round, even iced. I suggest letting the flavors in the tea blend before you serve it, the cloves will become more pronounced. No offense to you powdered spiced tea people, but this is the real thing!

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 18

Ingredients

• 8  cups boiling water
• 5  tablespoons  tea leaves (5-8 tea bags)
• 1  lemon, juice of (2 T lemon juice)
• 1  teaspoon whole cloves
• 6  oranges, juice of (1 3/4 c orange juice)
• 2  cups sugar
• 8  cups water

Directions

1. Add boiling water to tea, steep 5 minutes.
2. Strain (remove tea bags).
3. Make a syrup by boiling the sugar, cloves and water.
4. Add this syrup and fruit juices to the tea.
5. Serve hot or cold.