Mulling Mix for Cider

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 04/12/22
Hot Mulled Cider
Paul Johnson / Getty Images
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 1 cup

A favorite mocktail in the fall and winter, mulled cider is a welcoming, warm beverage that adds a sense of coziness to any setting. And having a premade spice mix at the ready means that you can have a mug of flavorful cider in your hand with very little preparation. A mixture of sugar, cinnamon, cloves, ground dried orange peel, allspice, and nutmeg is whisked together and stored until ready to use. Then to make the mulled cider, simply boil the spice mix along with apple cider and water, pour into mugs, and add a cinnamon stick, if you like. Sip while snuggling by the fire, or savor after a festive holiday dinner. You can even fill a Thermos to bring to the kids' football or soccer games when there is a chill in the air.

Most likely, you have all of the ingredients in your spice drawer, perhaps except the orange peel powder. You may be able to find it in the spice aisle of your grocery store, but if not, the finely ground dehydrated orange peel is easily found online.

This spice mix can be used to make mulled wine as well; if there will be both kids and adults at your gathering, make a batch of warm cider along with the spiced wine so everyone can enjoy. This recipe makes enough for four servings but feel free to double the recipe if you will be making a large batch of mulled cider.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1 teaspoon ground dried orange peel

  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir with wire whisk until well blended.

  3. Store in an airtight container in a cool place.

  4. Use to make mulled cider or wine and enjoy.

How to Use

To make 1 serving of mulled cider or wine: place 1/4 cup of mulling mix, 1 cup of apple cider or wine, and 1/4 ​cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Pour into mugs, add a cinnamon stick for stirring (if desired), serve, and enjoy.

Make Your Own Dried Ground Orange Peel

If you cannot find ground dried orange peel, you can make your own at home. Using a vegetable peeler, remove strips of just the orange part of the peel and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake in a low oven (200 F) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the peels curl up and become stiff. Place them in a food processor and grind until a powder forms.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
181 Calories
0g Fat
47g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 181
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 15mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 47g 17%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 44g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 79mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)