I unironically love astronaut ice cream. It’s nothing like real ice cream in terms of texture or temperature, but there’s something about biting into a block of it and thinking, “Huh, that’s different. Let me try a little more of that.” And so with that in mind, I genuinely wanted to try this heirloom recipe from my mom (attributed to someone named “Mom P.”) for Tang tea. I haven’t had Tang since I was five or six years old, so I was curious if it would hold up over time. After all, Tang was the drink of the astronauts in the heyday of the space program! (At least, that’s what we were told.)

Unfortunately, while it’s still possible to find Tang online, I’m allergic to ingredients in both the regular and sugar-free versions (thanks, ulcerative colitis!). As such, I’ve attempted to come up with a workaround to try to recreate the flavor profile but with fewer processed ingredients. This recipe for a substitute Tang powder gave me some inspiration. Since I didn’t want to stick with the original recipe’s powdered iced tea mix either, I’ve taken this even further into a different direction and swapped in some green tea.

The result is an orange-citrus green tea with a non-overpowering sweetness and a little spice, which is lovely on a cold day. This would probably be good in the summer as an iced tea, as well. The original recipe can be found below for those who want to experience the Tang in a way US astronauts probably never did.

New Version:
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. green tea (citrus or other fruit flavor)
zest of 2 oranges, or an orange and 2 mandarins (about 2 tbsp.)
1 tsp. citric acid
1/2 tsp. orange extract
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 pinch salt

Toast the orange zest in a dry skillet on low for a few minutes, until it dries out a bit. This will make your kitchen smell amazing!

Grind the larger ingredients in a food processor or spice grinder, if you desire a finer consistency. Mix everything together and keep in a closed jar. Use 1 tbsp. per cup of boiling water.

Original Recipe:
2 c. Tang
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. lemon-flavored iced tea
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves

Mix and keep in a closed jar. Use 1 tbsp. per cup of boiling water.