Bill is an ex-psychiatric nurse living in North Wales. In his spare time, Bill loves writing about DIY projects.

Love tea? Love alcohol? Why not have both at the same time. Learn how to make tea wine. Haus of Zeros

Make Wine From Tea?

I live in the UK. Now, I don't know about the rest of the world, but over here tea is big—I mean really big! Oh, we like the odd cup of coffee every now and then, but we're obsessed with tea! We get through gallons of the stuff. We drink it as soon as we get up in the morning, and before we go to bed at night. We drink it with every meal (and also between meals). So, you get the picture—we like our tea.

Now, basically there are two ways to drink tea—hot (usually with milk and sugar over here) or cold (chilled with a slice of lemon—rare over here, but it is done).

So, imagine my surprise to discover that there is a third way to drink tea! You can drink it as wine? Yes, you can make wine out of tea! And, I have the recipe! If you have ever wanted to make alcohol at home, now is your chance!

Tea Wine - Easy to make.

Ye Olde Book of Wine Recipes

Clearing out the spare bedroom last week, I came across an old book of wine recipes from the 1950s. It contained mainly country wine recipes and used no scientific jargon or equipment at all. These were wine recipes from the days when every housewife made her own household wine from whatever fruits and vegetables were in season, with only standard kitchen equipment.

Flicking through it's yellowed pages I came across a wine recipe that used Tea as the main ingredient. Not only does it make wine that is very pleasant to drink ( and which tastes nothing like tea), but it is also quick and easy to make. I was so impressed that I thought I would share the recipe with you.

We Brits like Our Tea

My Tea Wine mix ready for fermenting (I used yeast)

The Tea wine Recipe

The original recipe seems to rely on natural airborne yeasts to create the fermentation, but it might be an Idea to pitch in a good quality wine yeast at the end of the mixing. This way, fermentation should start immediately, rather than having to wait a month as in the original method.

But just in case you want to experiment, here is the original unabridged recipe. Only four ingredients are needed; they are:

4 pints of cold tea 2lb. Granulated Sugar 1/2 lb. raisins 2 Lemons

The Method.

This is taken directly from the book.

"Cut up the raisins and slice the lemons thinly, and put them in a large bowl or jug. Add 2lb. of granulated sugar, then pour on four pints of cold tea. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then cover the bowl or jug and leave it for a month.

After this time you will find a scum on top, remove this carefully, then strain off the liquid and bottle.

Tea wine can be drunk at once, but it is best to keep it a few months first. Keep it in a cool dark place, and don't push the corks in too hard at first.

It sounds strange to make wine from tea, but it does turn out a good wine, tasting not the least like tea. Of course there is no need to make tea especially for this purpose, if you usually throw away half a pot of tea, as I think most people do (this was written in the days before tea-bags), just save this until you have four pints, strain off the tea leaves though.

I suppose the different kinds of tea and the strength of the brew must make some difference to the wine, so yours will probably turn out differently to your neighbour's"

Easy Wine Recipe

So there you have it. Probably one of the easiest wine recipes you will ever come across. No special equipment needed, and if you are brave enough to have a go at the original method, you won't even need to buy yeast.

So if you have ever yearned to make alcohol at home, why not begin with home wine making. It's easy to do and very satisfying - Go on, You know you want to.

pacdt on December 09, 2013:

I just wonder, what's was the final result of this nice recipe?

Windo1232001 on August 30, 2013:

Hi! I have just made my first batch (about 30 days in) and tried it. It's not at all sweet as I expected. I also added the raisins, which didn't add much either. Is it supposed to be flavorless? I can see adding it to sweetened tea later.

Gaizy (author) from Denbigh, North Wales, UK on March 15, 2012:

@ Lisa - The book was called "Easymade wine and country drinks" by Mrs. Gennery Taylor - Cover price three shillings and sixpence! - Circa 1957.

Lisa on March 13, 2012:

What's the name of the book you used? I wonder if I could find a copy somewhere?

Gaizy (author) from Denbigh, North Wales, UK on November 25, 2011:

@ eye say - The batch I wrote about is still fermenting - (I think it's goint to be strong) :)

eye say from Canada on November 25, 2011:

great hub can't wait for my hubbie to read it!

Gaizy (author) from Denbigh, North Wales, UK on September 29, 2011:

@ twilanelson - Thanks. The tea wine I made is nearing the end of it's fermentation now and smells just lovely.

Twila Nelson from Carmichael, California on September 29, 2011:

Fun and interesting Hub about making tea wine at home. Thank you for this amazing piece of history and tea wine recipe.

Gaizy (author) from Denbigh, North Wales, UK on August 30, 2011:

@ Pinkchic18 - It's worth a try. I was wondering, If you drink this stuff, can you still claim to be Teetotal :)

Sarah Carlsley from Minnesota on August 30, 2011:

Very interesting! I would have never thought this was possible but it does sound tempting. I'm American and I just can't bring myself to like the taste of tea unfortunately. I wish I could! But this recipe would probably make it easier :)

Gaizy (author) from Denbigh, North Wales, UK on August 30, 2011:

@ wannabwestern - Alchemy indeed. In fact, I'm sure I read somewhere that the word "Alchemy" and "Alcohol" both derive from the same Arabic word (but don't hold me to that).

Gaizy (author) from Denbigh, North Wales, UK on August 29, 2011:

@ Reynold Jay - Thanks for the votes. - It's fermenting it's head off at the moment. Give it another month or so and I'll test it for drinkability.

Carolyn Augustine from Iowa on August 29, 2011:

I will never drink wine for religious reasons, but I have to say, this is a very interesting concept. It's kind of like liquid alchemy. Instead of making gold from lead, you are making wine from tea.

Reynold Jay from Saginaw, Michigan on August 29, 2011:

OK--let us know how it tastes! I have heard of "He changed the water inot wine" and now this---which is pretty much the same thing! I enjoyed this very much. You have this laid out beautifully and it is easy to understand. Keep up the great HUBS. I must give this an “Up ONE and awesome.” I'm now your fan! RJ

Gaizy (author) from Denbigh, North Wales, UK on August 29, 2011:

@ DDS - Brewing my first batch as we speak - That picture of brew in the Hub is mine.

David Sproull from Toronto on August 29, 2011:

This sounds awesome..but have you actually made and drunk a batch?