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Nothing says cozy like a warm glass of mulled wine or cider, and what could make a better teacher or hostess gift than a bottle of handmade mulling spices? Welcome to another edition of this season's Gifts to Give series! Be sure to check out our list of projects here to help you on your DIY gifting journey.
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What are the Benefits of Mulling?
The process of mulling infuses hot beverages like apple cider and red wine with aromatic spices that create a complex and robust flavor profile. Common mulling spices can include cinnamon, cardamom, clove, star anise, allspice, nutmeg, cranberries, and orange peel. I’ve also seen recipes that include ginger, lemon peel, or whole peppercorn. When these spice blends are added to warm cider or wine, they impart a delicious warmth, coziness, and festive feel that pairs perfectly with cold weather.
What Else Can I Make With Mulling Spices?
Mulling spices, while commonly used in hot apple cider or red wine, are incredibly versatile and can be used for much more! Here are a few creative ideas to inspire you…
Infuse mulling spices in your next cup of hot chocolate.
Add them to your holiday cranberry sauce by boiling them in the liquid your recipe calls for.
Try making mulled jams or jellies; I have a feeling this would be great in an apple butter.
Grind them to a powder and add them to just about any baked goods like muffins or pumpkin pies.
Try them in your next bowl of oatmeal.
How to Make Mulling Spices
This is another one of those DIY gifts that's a breeze to make, and you can easily scale up the recipe to create as many gifts as you need!
The Ingredients:
1 cup crushed cinnamon bark
4 tablespoons whole allspice berries
2 Tablespoons whole cloves
2 Tablespoons dried ginger
The Method:
Combine all the spices together and mix until thoroughly combined. Once blended, bottle and label or store in an air-tight container until ready to use. (If you are using it for gifts, you can find our free printable labels here.)
To serve:
Pour 4 cups of wine or cider into a medium to large saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of mulling spices to a tea bag or tea ball and gently simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes or in a crockpot on low for a minimum of 2 hours. For every ½ gallon of cider or wine, you will need ¼ cup of mulling spices. You will need ½ cup of mulling spices for every gallon of cider or wine.
* Remove the spice ball or tea bag before serving.
Keeping it Cozy
The scent of mulled beverages always fills me with the spirit of Christmas. I love making the homemade spice blend and skipping all the additives, flavoring, and preservatives often found in commercial blends. If you decide to mix up a batch of our DIY Mulling Spices, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. We wish you a happy gifting season, and as always, until next time,
