Homemade Mulling Spices are super easy to make and less expensive than buying pre-made mixes. Using these spices is a great way to add the warm flavors of cinnamon, cloves, allspice and star anise to beverages such as apple cider and red wine.
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This first time I had ever seen or heard of mulling spices was during one of my first visits to Milburn Orchards many, many years ago. They have a farm store there where they sell their infamous apple cider donuts along with warm or cold apple cider, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a myriad of jams, syrups, salsa, baking mixes and so much more.
Since the first time I bought and tried mulling spices in apple cider, I was hooked. It’s kind of like drinking a warm apple pie, though you could enjoy the cider chilled too, of course.
As per usual, I love to make my own versions of spice mixtures and so that is exactly what I did here. While mulling spice recipes and pre-mixed packages can vary greatly in the spices used, this is the way that I have found I love it best. Feel free to enjoy this recipe as it is, or adapt it to suit your own tastes.
These mulling spices can be used in both apple cider and red wine or in other beverages such as coffee, tea or hot cocoa.
If you’re like me and love a warm, spiced fall beverage, you may also enjoy this super simple Chai Latte.
Why This Recipe Works
Mulling Spices are easy to make! You only need 5 ingredients and you can make them anytime you want. Sometimes finding prepackaged mulling spices can be hard or they contain unnecessary added ingredients.
Making your own mulling spices costs much less than buying them. And, you can easily adapt the recipe to suite your own tastes or what spices you have available.
These mulling spices can be used in apple cider or red wine, as well as coffee, tea or hot cocoa.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ingredients
- 8 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1/4 cup allspice berries (whole)
- 1/4 cup cloves (whole)
- 1/4 cup star anise
- 1/3 cup dried orange peel
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Prep!
There is no significant prep work for this recipe.
Create!
Add the cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, cloves and star anise to a heavy duty zip top plastic bag.
Use a rolling pin or the flat side of a mallet to crush the whole spices into small pieces.
Transfer the crushed spices to a bowl and mix in the dried orange peel.
Present!
Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Tips and Techniques
- You can toast the whole spices prior to crushing them to bring out the flavors even more.
- You can adapt this recipe to suite your own tastes or the spices available to you. Some like to add lemon peel, cardamom pods, ginger, black pepper and/or nutmeg.
How To Use Mulling Spices in Apple Cider
For one gallon of mulled apple cider, place 1/4 cup of mulling spices into the center of a square of cheesecloth tied closed tightly with kitchen twine or use a couple of disposable tea bags. Add the cider and mulling spices to a large pot over medium heat and simmer for about an hour. Discard the mulling spices prior to serving.
Use 2 tablespoons of the mulling spices for 1/2 gallon of apple cider.
How To Use Mulling Spices in Red Wine
For one bottle of mulled red wine, place 2 tablespoons of mulling spices into the center of a square of cheesecloth tied closed tightly with kitchen twine or use a disposable tea bag. Add the wine, mulling spices and 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, honey or maple syrup to a large pot over medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Keep the mixture from boiling by lowering the heat, if necessary. Taste and adjust the sweetener as needed. Discard the mulling spices prior to serving.
More Homemade Spice Mixtures
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Homemade Mulling Spices
Ingredients
- 8 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1/4 cup allspice berries (whole)
- 1/4 cup cloves (whole)
- 1/4 cup star anise
- 1/3 cup dried orange peel
Instructions
- Add the cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, cloves and star anise to a heavy duty zip top plastic bag.8 whole cinnamon sticks, 1/4 cup allspice berries, 1/4 cup cloves, 1/4 cup star anise
- Use a rolling pin or the flat side of a mallet to crush the whole spices into small pieces.
- Transfer the crushed spices to a bowl and mix in the dried orange peel.1/3 cup dried orange peel
- Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- You can toast the whole spices prior to crushing them to bring out the flavors even more.
- You can adapt this recipe to suite your own tastes or the spices available to you. Some like to add lemon peel, cardamom pods, ginger, black pepper and/or nutmeg.
