I know that I already tried to explain Pete’s affection for Mulled Apple Cider. Like he is O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D. We always buy it at Williams Sonoma. But because I have a total cheap streak in me, I was like- “I can totally make that.” Of course, Pete was pretty sure I couldn’t, and he didn’t want to deprive himself, so he bought it anyways. Turns out it was great he did, so I could really study what was in it!
I turned out a pretty darn good Copy-cat recipe ladies and gents!
Not only are we enjoying it for ourselves, but I realized that this would be a wonderful homemade Christmas gift!
I picked up this canning jar at my local grocery store and it is a dead ringer for the Williams Sonoma Mulling Spice + Homemade LOVE.
You simply add 1 tablespoon to each 8 ounces of apple cider and then heat to a simmer. Enjoy the cider hot!
* To get the price down on the spices, I purchased mine at Costco and made this in bulk!
To make this cider:
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, and put a piece of parchment paper down.
Scatter the zest, peel and pith over the parchment paper.
Bake for about an hour until dry and fragrant.
Meanwhile, place the cinnamon sticks in a Ziploc and wrap it in a beach towel. I used the back side of a hatchet to smash up the cinnamon sticks (but I bet a hammer or big rolling pin would work well too).
Mix everything gently together and store in an airtight container.
Recipe: Homemade Mulling Spice
Summary: makes 1 1/2 cups
Ingredients
- -1 large orange, zested, peel and pith, minced
- -1 ounce jar cinnamon sticks, chipped
- -.75 ounce whole allspice
- -.75 ounce whole cloves
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, and put a piece of parchment paper down.
- 2. Scatter the zest, peel and pith over the parchment paper and bake for about an hour until dry.
- 3. Meanwhile, place the cinnamon sticks in a Ziploc and wrap it in a beach towel. I used the back side of a hatchet to smash up the cinnamon sticks (but I bet a hammer or big rolling pin would work well too).
- 4. Mix everything gently together and store in an airtight container.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 1 hour(s)
Print Recipe
I totally agree. When we have a great meal out or I see handmade items, i am always telling my husband i can make this!
It’s so cheerful looking! I just love your homemade gift things. The only thing I make is pepper which my grown son refers to “Kick A$$ Pepper” which I learned at a Williams Sonoma class completely by accident. The teacher told us how to dry pan roast the mulit colored peppercorns WS sells (and mix with Costco’s) then grind. Honestly, the difference is amazing.
Ooooh! That sounds awesome Vicki! Do you just grind everything in a spice grinder?
Very cool! I love mulling spices – that makes a thoughtful gift for someone!
This is an awesome post. I was just at Williams and Sonoma and saw canning jars like this. They were a little too expensive for me right now, but they’d be easier for some of my friends to open them. What was the brand of your jars? I’d love to purchase them.
Thanks,
Erins
@foodiesmeow
I got mine at my local grocery store (Metropolitan Market in Seattle) for around $6. The brand is WECK- maybe you can find them more cheaply on-line? However this mulling spice would be just as great in a regular mason jar with is about $10 a case!
I don’t have a proper spice grinder, so we use an ancient electric coffee grinder. Honestly, I’ve been known to sprinkle it on popcorn.
I may have to do that! I bet I can borrow my mom’s old coffee grinder. YUM>
This must create such a warm holiday ambiance!
I need to make this bulk. Like, for my 14 brothers and sisters!! What is the ratio of ingredients? I have everything and am ready to put it together but don’t want to put too much of one spice and not enough of another
Hi Carmen! Think about the size of the standard spice containers to guide you. Like 5-6 cinnamon sticks (what would come in the normal size spice jar), then one of those small (half size) spice containers for the allspice and cloves (about an 1/8th of a cup?) and then the zest, skin and pith of one orange.
14 brothers and sisters??!!! amazing!
This is soooo cool. I love this stuff and have had a hard time finding it lately. I think people could find a small cute jar at Ikea for not much money as well. Thanks for this recipe – already entered it in my recipe file.
I find the cutest jars at Salvation Army stores. Each has its own story and everyone comes out a winner.
Hi -can you tell me the ratio of spices to juice(fluid) to use? And how long to simmer it? Thanks!
Heidi- I usually use 2 Tbs to 3-4 cups of apple cider and bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes.
Thanks for this! I was appalled at the cost in William Sonoma and also thought I could make it too, so I googled and found your copy recipe! Woo Hoo! It’s awesome!
I too am in love with WS’s mulling spices. Excited to try your copy cat recipe! I am curious as to what the cost of the spices were? Do you mind sharing? (You can ‘ish it if you don’t remember exactly 🙂 )
I hate spending the money for William Sonoma Mulling Spice too! I can’t wait to make this in time for the holidays! Thanks so much for developing the knock-off recipe.
This sounds AMAZING! I have never made my own mulling spices, but I am totally going to try it this year, Thanks!
Thanks for the idea!! I did for family last year and they loved. It is however, an expensive gift to give bc of the spices (I’ve combined some recipes so mine has Star Anise, Ginger, and a lil Cardamon, Nutmeg too. So this year I just made one serving size so my coworkers could each make a batch in their own homes on their special night.; I used cotton muslin wrapping with a label for these. I saved the jars for the family and friends that got a larger quantity. I also saw some cute containers using ice cream containers (decorated) here on pinterest. Everyone always enjoys the gifts.
I’m excited to make this! Before I start, I have a question regarding preparing the orange. Am I supposed to end up baking 3 separate orange by-products: zest, peel, and pith? Or do I zest the orange, and then mince the remaining peel and pith as one item?
I’m embarrassed to ask this…how do you remove the peel, then the pith? Can you zest with a microplane or traditional zester?
Absolutely d!! that will work just fine!
Ok, time for a stupid question: what do you do with the mulling spice? Do you just add hot water to make it a drink?
Hi Pam! you add it to apple or pear juice and heat it all together to make spiced cider!
How would you recommend zest in without a zester?
you could use a cheese grater!
hello, can I take mulling spice, 1 cup to 4 cups water, boil for a while, strain it, and use the water (infused) to cook a dozen apples, through in a bag of frozen cranberry, val-la… homemade apple sauce?
thank you so very much, Mrs. Monahan
Thank you for this recipe. How do you make the lovely labels? Are they printable? I always struggle with getting nice looking labels on things, as I am nor artistic and don’t have nice handwriting. Thank you.
I just hand wrote them on stick-on labels I got at the craft store!
Questions n Heather 🙂 How do you make it to make your home fragrant like to put around candles ? Thank you for your help !
This is great
Thank you
Hie about Russian tea spice with Tang
It was popular in Nashville back in the 70’s
Thank you
Where do you get your cute, small glass containers?
Igot them at my local grocery store which has a cute homeware section!