Winter Drinks

During the cold weather months and holidays we get many requests for recipes for mulling spices and mulled wine.   This is a centuries old practice developed in Europe.  Mulling is the process of infusing juices, wines, cider, or brandy with spices and fruit flavors. The ingredients used vary but the result is always a delicious, warming drink.

Basic Mulling Spices Recipe

• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 small whole nutmeg
• 1/2 cup whole cloves
• 1/2 cup whole allspice
• Grated peel of one whole orange

Chip the cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice with a hammer. Place with other ingredients in a storage container. To use, place two tablespoons of mixture in a small muslin bag and add to four cups of beverage. Simmer. This recipe makes one and one half cups of mulling spice.

Sweetened Mulling Spices Recipe

• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, optional

Mix together well and place in small, tightly covered jars. To give as gifts add these instructions:

To make mulled wine or cider:

• Combine 1/4 cup of the mix with one cup red wine, apple cider, cranberry-apple juice, or other hot beverage.
• Add 1/4 cup of water.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer five minutes.

Serves one.

Instant Mulling Spices

• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon powdered orange drink mix (Tang)
• 2 tablespoons powdered lemonade mix, not sugar free
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 2 teaspoon whole allspice
• 2 tablespoons red hots candy

Add to four cups of beverage and simmer for at least 20 minutes. This is especially good when mulled with a strong, black tea.