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🍂 Mabon • Autumn

A jar full of warmth for the darker evenings

Mulling Spice Mix

Cinnamon, citrus and whole spices gathered into one fragrant little jar. Keep a batch in the cupboard for autumn drinks or dress it simply with twine and a handwritten label for an easy homemade gift or hamper addition.

Makes About 6 portions
Time 10 minutes
Difficulty Very easy
Best for Jars & hampers

Ingredients

For the Spice Mix

  • 6 cinnamon sticks, broken into shorter pieces
  • 6 star anise
  • 2 tbsp whole cloves
  • 2 tbsp cardamom pods, lightly crushed
  • 2 whole nutmegs
  • 6–8 dried orange slices

Optional Extras

  • 1 tbsp allspice berries
  • A few strips of dried lemon peel
  • Small pieces of dried ginger
  • A few black peppercorns for a warmer edge
  • Dried apple pieces
  • A little vanilla pod, finely chopped

Making the Mix

  1. Check the spices. Make sure everything is completely dry before it goes into the jar. Moisture will shorten the keeping time.
  2. Break the cinnamon. Snap the cinnamon sticks into shorter pieces so the finished blend is easier to measure and divide.
  3. Crush the cardamom lightly. Press the pods gently with the flat side of a knife or the base of a jar. They only need to split slightly to release their fragrance.
  4. Break up the nutmeg. Carefully crack or roughly crush the whole nutmegs into several pieces. You want chunky pieces rather than a fine powder.
  5. Combine. Place all the ingredients into a bowl and mix gently with your hands or a wooden spoon.
  6. Fill the jar. Spoon the mixture into a completely dry airtight jar and seal.
Keep the spices whole

Whole spices work better than ground ones for mulling because they flavour the drink without leaving a gritty layer behind. They also look much prettier in a gift jar.

How to Use It

Use roughly 2 tablespoons of spice mix per litre of drink. Place the spices in a small muslin bag, tea infuser or directly into the saucepan and strain before serving.

  1. Add your drink. Pour around 1 litre of apple juice, cloudy apple juice, cranberry juice, cider or another suitable drink into a saucepan.
  2. Add the spice. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of mulling spice mix.
  3. Warm slowly. Heat gently for about 15–20 minutes without allowing the drink to boil.
  4. Taste. Add a little honey, brown sugar or maple syrup only if needed.
  5. Strain and serve. Remove the spices and pour into mugs while warm.

What Can You Mull?

Apple Juice

Probably the easiest alcohol-free option. Cloudy apple juice works especially well with cinnamon, orange and cloves.

Cranberry & Apple

Mix cranberry and apple juice for something slightly sharper and deeper in colour.

Cider

Warm cider slowly with the spices for a traditional autumn drink. Avoid boiling so the flavours remain gentle.

Red Wine

The blend can also be used for traditional mulled wine. Add orange slices and sweeten to taste.

Make It a Gift

Fill a small jar with the spice mix and tie a piece of twine, ribbon or saved fabric around the lid. Add a handwritten tag saying: “Use about 2 tablespoons per litre. Warm gently for 15–20 minutes, strain and enjoy.” Tuck it into an autumn hamper with apple juice, biscuits, a favourite mug or perhaps a bottle of the Apple & Blackberry Cordial.

Little Gift Jar Variations

One-Mug Portions

Make smaller individual portions in little paper sachets or reusable muslin bags, ready to drop straight into a saucepan or small pot.

Family-Size Jar

Fill a larger jar with several portions and add a wooden spoon or small scoop tied around the neck.

Autumn Host Gift

Pair the jar with a bottle of apple juice or cider as a simple gift to take when visiting friends or family.

Winter Version

The same basic blend can carry on into winter. Add more orange, a little ginger or a piece of vanilla pod for a slightly richer mix.

Storage

Store the mix in a clean, completely dry airtight jar in a cool, dark cupboard. For the best fragrance, use within about six months. If using homemade dried fruit, check that it is fully dehydrated before storing and discard the mix if you notice any moisture, mould or unusual smell.

Kitchen Notes

Whole spices can be hard, so take care when breaking cinnamon sticks or nutmeg. Clearly label ingredients when giving the mix as a gift. If making an alcoholic mulled drink, keep it separate from alcohol-free versions and serve responsibly.