Homemade Mulling Spices Recipe for Cider & Red Wine

With the holiday season approaching, now is the perfect time to make Homemade Mulling Spices! This blend of aromatic spices is commonly used to flavor hot beverages like mulled wine, apple cider, or punch.

Mulling Spices Recipe

I'm going to be embarrassingly honest here - up until recently, I didn't know what mulling spices were. Or I guess I did, but didn't know they had a name.

I even use/used homemade mulling spices in my Hot Apple Cider recipe without even knowing what they were called (their proper name, I guess).

What kind of food blogger am I? Haha. 

Anyway, I mix warm spices, place them in apple juice with some orange slices, and let them warm in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on my stovetop for hours.

Then, during cold weather, we enjoy the aroma in the house and a warm drink in our hands. Turns out, I've been making my own apple cider mulling spices for years without even knowing it.

Mulling Spices for Cider

As I've just explained, mulled spices are most often used to make hot drinks in the cooler months and to make your house smell good.

But his spice mixture is not only for hot mulled cider. I've learned that there are other mulling spice uses. It is also great combined with a bottle of wine to make mulled wine or simply simmer on the stovetop to use this mulling spices recipe for fragrance (like homemade potpourri in your home).

What is Mulling Spice?

So, what are mulling spices? Mulled spices are a blend of aromatic spices commonly used to flavor hot beverages like mulled wine, cider, or punch during the fall and winter months.

These spices typically include:

• Cinnamon Sticks: Adds warmth and sweetness.
• Whole Cloves: Strong, warm, and slightly bitter.
• Whole Allspice Berries: A combination of flavors reminiscent of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
• Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, sweet, and nutty flavor.
• Star Anise: Adds a licorice-like flavor.
• Dried Citrus Peel Powder (orange or lemon): Adds brightness and tang.

You'll notice I say "typically" above because those are the most common ingredients but my recipe below is slightly different.

Ingredients

Of course, you can customize them to your liking, but these are the simple ingredients I'm using for my mulling spice recipe. You should be able to find most (if not all) of them at your local grocery store. 

• Cinnamon Sticks
• Cardamom Pods
• Whole Allspice Berries
• Whole Cloves
• Star Anise
• Dried Orange Peel Powder - store-bought or dried in the oven. I sometimes skip this and use fresh orange slices or orange peel in my hot apple cider. 
• Black Peppercorns

Find the full recipe with ingredients measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Mulling Spices

1. Place cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, allspice berries, cloves and star anise in large resealable bag.
2. Crush with a rolling pin. 
3. Add orange peel and peppercorns to bag and toss to mix well.
4. Done! You can store them in a sealed spice bag or an airtight jar.

How to Use Mulling Spices

1. Add 4 tablespoons per gallon of apple cider or apple juice. If you don't need a large batch, you can cut it in half to 2 tablespoons of mulling spice mix per half gallon of juice.
2. Warm on the stovetop, microwave, Instant Pot, or Crockpot. I love to have mulled apple cider simmering on the stove, garnished with whole cinnamon sticks, orange rind, or apple slices.
3. Grab your favorite mug and enjoy a warm holiday drink on a cold night.

Variations

One of the joys of making homemade mulling spices is the ability to tailor the blend to your specific tastes. These holiday spices can be changed up in so many ways to make them perfect for YOU.

Add Ginger

Add a few slices of fresh ginger or some dried ginger pieces for a spicier kick. 

Vanilla Bean

If you prefer a touch of sweetness, consider incorporating a vanilla bean or a dash of brown sugar. 

Herbs

The addition of rosemary sprigs or juniper berries complements the traditional spices beautifully.

Citrus

While dried orange peels are common, lemon or grapefruit peels can bring a fresh, tangy dimension to your mulled cider.

Edible Flowers

If you’re interested in exploring floral notes, adding a pinch of dried lavender or chamomile can provide a unique twist.

Alcohol

Alcoholic variations are another way to amp up your mulled cider. Adding a splash of rum, brandy, or bourbon can infuse the cider with a rich, warming undertone. Be sure to add the alcohol towards the end of the simmering process to preserve its full flavor.

Tea

For an added layer of complexity, consider infusing your mulled spices mix with a bit of loose-leaf tea, such as chai or Earl Grey. This not only enhances the flavor but also adds a delightful aromatic element.

Experimenting with different ingredients allows you to create a mulling spice blend that’s truly your own, perfect for any occasion or palate.

Mulling Spices for Wine

I do not like or drink wine, but mulling spices are also used to make mulled wine. So I did a little research, and a general rule of thumb for a wine recipe is to use one tablespoon of mulling spice per 750 ml bottle of wine.

You can use four heaping tablespoons of mulling spice per gallon of wine for larger servings. 

I noticed that whole spices are often used in wine, and most recipes include adding a sweetener - 2 to 4 tablespoons of sugar, honey, or maple syrup to taste per 750 ml bottle of wine. 

Cook the mulled wine on medium-low heat until it barely reaches a simmer. Do not let it come to a boil or it will boil off the alcohol. Reduce heat to low and let the wine simmer for up to 3 hours.

Serving Suggestions

We love to use mulling spices to make a big batch of apple cider for church gatherings or holiday parties.

You can also make a mulling spice gift by packaging it up nicely in a small jar with a gift tag and recipe instructions or gifting it in a pretty mug.

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