When evenings begin to cool down, there's nothing more Hygge (the Scandinavian art of creating coziness) than a warm mug of mulled cider (or mulled red wine), sipped beside a glowing fire in the fireplace or outdoors around the firepit.
Making your own mulling spice blend is easy and such a flavorful add-in to crisp, sweet, apple cider- the quintessential beverage of autumn! Double or even quadruple the recipe because you'll want more right away, and it makes a lovely, homemade hostess gift!
Adrienne's Mulling Spice Mix
makes one sachet for one gallon of cider
Ingredients
- 1 tsp whole Allspice Berries
- 2 tsp whole Cloves
- 2 sticks Cinnamon Sticks (Make sure you use food grade cinnamon sticks! Don't use arts/crafts cinnamon sticks)
- 1 tsp Black Peppercorns
- 2 pcs Star Anise
- 2 tsp dried minced Lemon Peel
- 2 tsp dried minced Orange Peel
- 1 tsp grated whole Nutmeg
Directions
- Crush the first five ingredients in a mortar & pestle, molcajete or electric spice grinder until ground to medium-coarse powder- not a fine powder.
- Add the last three ingredients and stir to combine,
- Cut a square of cheesecloth and set the spice mixture in the center.
- Gather the cloth to form a sachet pouch then use some kitchen twine to close the pouch tightly.
- Keep in an airtight jar until ready to use.
- Add mulling sachet to a gallon of apple cider (or a bottle of red wine) in a large pot and simmer on medium-low heat until fragrant and hot but not boiling (about 45 minutes to an hour).
- Ladle hot cider into mugs and garnish with sliced apples or cinnamon sticks, if desired.
Note:
~adding sliced oranges, lemons, apples and whole cinnamon sticks while the cider is simmering will add to the flavor and aroma of the mix.
~adding a hard caramel candy to the mug of hot cider will melt to add a hint of sweet caramel apple.