Mulling Spice Satchels

It snowed back home this weekend. To say I’m jealous is a bit of an understatement. The first snow of the season is just so…magical! The quiet, the cold, the sparkles. It’s hard to properly convey my sentiments about it, but, if you live somewhere with snow (or used to), then you know. Lorelai knows. (Side note: the Gilmore Girls revival is only days away and I.cannot.wait! Who’s with me?! I’m Team Dean, btw.)

Something else that the North seems to have while the South is lacking is mulling spices. For years, my family has put them in cider during the fall and winter, giving depth and extra flavor to a hot drink. I’ve come to associate those flavors with the cooler months, and holiday celebrations in particular. For Thanksgiving, the mulling spices get steeped in cider for over 24-hours and the result is just so…magical! Just like snow!

But I can’t find any mulling spice packets or mixes or anything of the sort down here. I’ve gone into my regular grocery stores, specialty stores, big box stores; anywhere that may even possibly have it and keep coming up empty.

So, I made my own. I got some fantastic local cider, put it on the stove, threw everything in the pot and let it simmer away from about 10 minutes. I also put together some satchels for on-the-go, single-serve mulling. Which, come to think of it, would make super cute additions to Christmas gifts or even little favors for Thanksgiving. Or, do it like my family and mull some cider the day ahead. Trust me. You’ll have one more thing to be thankful for.

Homemade Mulling Spice Satchels

(Inspired by Martha Stewart)

*These quantities are for each individual satchel, which can be used in one 8oz. serving of cider (or wine!).

2 strips of fresh orange peel (if you’re mulling the cider straightaway and not bundling up satchels, simply add a few orange slices to the liquid, not just the rind)

6 whole allspice kernels

5 whole cloves

1 star anise

½ stick of cinnamon

Wrap ingredients up in a small swatch of cheesecloth and secure with twine. Store in an airtight container until using.