Mulling Spices

Mulling spices are those spices which are used to make hot mulled drinks. The tradition of making mulled beverages is popular in winter, especially during Halloween and Christmas, when these warm beverages could be enjoyed on a cold, winter night. The process of mulling has been practiced for centuries when different types of spices and fruit essences were infused together and heated with wines, fruit juices and ciders to give them a different flavor. The popular mulling spice ingredients used for making hot, mulled beverages are nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, star anise, cloves and dried peels of different types of fruits, especially orange peel. Sometimes dried lemon peel is also used instead of orange peel to give the drink a more distinct flavor.

Different countries follow different methods for mulling spices. But the most common method is to infuse all the spices together in a cheesecloth and drop it in the pan containing simmering cider, fruit juice or wine. One of the major benefits of using mulling spice in fruit juice is that a complex tinge of citrus and spicy flavors is created that complement and enhance the essence of the basic fruit elements in the mulled drink. There is also another method for preparing infused spices. In this method the spices are ground into a coarse powder and mixed directly into the simmering beverages. Some fine ingredients may easily dissolve in the drink while others may have to be removed before serving the drink. There are many mulling spice mixes that are available commercially in the market. These spices are usually ground to a fine powder to make them dissolve completely in the beverage. They can also be made at home easily.

Mulling Spice Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 whole cardamom
• 12 whole cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice
• 1 teaspoon orange peel, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves

Directions

Separate the seeds from the cardamom pod and crust them lightly in a heavy freezer bag with the help of a rolling pin. In a medium-sized bowl mix either true allspice or allspice substitute, cloves and finely chopped orange peel. Now add the crusted cardamom seeds to the bowl and combine properly till all the ingredients blend well. Scoop out 2 teaspoons of this spice mixture and place them in the center of a 4 inch square cheesecloth. Keep a cinnamon stick in each square and tie the ends securely with a string. You can make four bags that can be used for making mulled cranberry juice or apple juice.

Apple Mulling Spice Mix Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 whole nutmegs
• 3 ounces whole cinnamon sticks
• ¼ cup whole cloves
• ¼ cup dried orange peel, chopped
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
• ¼ cup allspice berries
• ¼ cup dried lemon peel, chopped

Directions

Take a heavy freezer bag and place the nutmeg and cinnamon sticks and hit the spices with a rolling pin till they are broken into small pieces. Transfer the contents of the freezer bag to a small bowl and mix the allspice, ginger, orange peel, cloves and lemon peel. Mix them properly with a tablespoon. Take a large double layer cheesecloth and cut it into 14, 5 inch squares with the help of a pair of scissors. Place 2 heaped tablespoons of mulling spice into the cheesecloth and tie it securely with a 10 inch white string so that the spices don't fall out. Similar spices are used in the process of making mulled wine.

The old, English Christmas carol 'Here We Go A' Wassailing' is actually referring to a traditional holiday beverage that is particularly popular in the countries of Germany, wassail which is made from beer and mulling spices. Interesting, isn't it?