Bittersweet moments

[kyrielle]

Growing up, if I had a non-stomach sick, especially cold/flu types, Mom would make "Russian tea". The name derives from the alcohol in the original, I assume, but the version she made was just orange juice, lemon juice, water, a rather appalling amount of sugar, a touch of nutmeg, and some almond extract. It is best served hot, or at least on the edge of hot. (The original recipe as Mom wrote it down is scanned and can be seen at http://pics.livejournal.com/kyrielle/pic/0002dt9e/g22 - I substitute vanilla extract rather than almond.)

Tonight, it occurred to me that Drew - who has a nasty cold, which he has kindly shared in reduced form with both parents - is now able to handle hot drinks just fine with only minor parental monitoring (he likes tea, and loves his Dad's hot chocolate!). So, I got the ingredients together and made a batch.

He and Scott have both had some, and Drew likes it so much he asked for more when I gave him the chance. I love it too, but given the appalling amount of sugar, I'm skipping having it for this cold (well, except for a sip test for taste and heat level, but that was literally a sip).

I feel good about that. And touched. And sad. Because in a way, my mother has just helped to take care of a grandson she never lived to see.

Comments

[mdlbear]

Sounds yummy.

The standard cough remedy in our family was honey and lemon juice. I think it's the soothing effect of the sugar that does the trick.

[kyrielle]

I'm not so sure that's all of it. Honey - but not sugar - is a time-honored throat soother for a sore throat, and also does appear to suppress cough (I'm not aware of any sugar correlation there). Sugar is comforting, but honey actually does the work.

On the other hand, the juice is good for vitamin C, and serving it warm is important for the same reason that the honey-and-lemon-juice (or honey-and-water or honey-and-milk) combo is often served warm - the warm liquid can help break up congestion a little and, of course, helps with hydration.

The sugar is probably soothing on the level of emotional comfort, but I find it hard to believe it directly contributes to easy the cough. (However, it DOES make that recipe drinkable - the volume of lemon juice would tell against it otherwise, to be sure!)

[chemicallace]

That is a very sweet story. Thank you for sharing it.

[angelamermaid.livejournal.com]

Aw, I'm glad your mom helped. :-)

[aellia.livejournal.com]

I'm touched,too and glad she left that recipe which I may use as well.
Wishing everyone well.
Love to you all
xxxx

[kyrielle]

It is, besides helpful, very tasty, soothing, and comforting. (Of course, I'm biased, because it's one of my "mama taking care of me" childhood memories...that colors it, I'm sure!)

[canyoncat.livejournal.com]

Those are some of the best memories! :)

[canyoncat.livejournal.com]

This sounds good.