Mulling Spices

This time of year, as the nights get cooler and I start the feel the fall chill in my bones, my thoughts turn to warm beverages and the aroma of comfort spices. Mulling spices are perfect for the fall and winter months to spice up your beverages with a spicy and citrus flavor.

Mulling is a centuries-old practice in which different spices and dried fruits are infused into heated liquids. In fact, Europe’s oldest hot drink is mulled wine. Mulling spices are most commonly used in juices, wines and ciders. The recipes for using these spices do tend to vary, but in general they include allspice, cinnamon, cloves, dehydrated fruit, nutmeg, and star anise.

There are several ways to add mulling spices to your beverages. The most common way is to place the spices into a cheesecloth bag and then place the bag in your heated juice, cider or wine.

The other method for infusing mulling spices into a liquid is to grind the mulling spice blend into a fine powder and add this powder directly to your heated drink.

To make a mulling spice festive home fragrance: bring a mulling spice bag in cheese cloth in water to boil on your stove over medium heat; reduce heat to low, and simmer 3 to 4 hours. This will create a warm, inviting fragrance at home.

Many people simply love the aroma (including me) of mulling spices this time of year. For me, it triggers memories of happy holiday events, family gatherings and overall giving and good will.

Here are some great Mulled Drink recipes.