What Is Mulling Spice and How to Use It for Holiday Drinks
By Red Stick Spice Company | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: How-to Guides
Learn what mulling spice is, how to mull wine or cider, and get a simple mulling spice recipe for cozy holiday drinks.
Quick Answer
Mulling spice is a blend of warm spices used to flavor hot drinks like wine, cider, and tea. For the best results, simmer it gently in your beverage—never boil—and strain before serving.
Why Mulling Spice Works for Holiday Drinks
Mulling spice typically combines cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and sometimes citrus peel or nutmeg. These spices release their oils when heated, infusing your drink with a warm, aromatic flavor that suits the season.
The key is to heat the beverage slowly. Boiling can make the spices bitter and evaporate the alcohol if you're mulling wine. Gentle simmering extracts the best flavor without harshness.
Choosing Your Base: Wine, Cider, or Tea
Mulling spice is versatile—you can use it with red wine, apple cider, or even herbal tea. Each base pairs slightly differently with the spices, so adjust the sweetener and citrus to match.
For wine, choose a dry red like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. For cider, a touch of honey or maple syrup complements the apple. For tea, a black tea or rooibos works well.
How to Mull Wine or Cider in 5 Steps
- Combine your base and mulling spice: Pour your chosen beverage (wine, cider, or tea) into a saucepan. Add about 1 tablespoon of mulling spice per 750 ml (one bottle) of liquid. If using a tea bag or loose tea, add it now. Start with less spice—you can always add more, but you can't remove it.
- Add sweetener and citrus (optional): Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or sugar. Add a few orange slices or a strip of lemon peel for brightness. Taste and adjust sweetness before heating. Sweetener balances the spices; too little can make the drink taste sharp.
- Heat slowly to a simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer—just below boiling. Do not let it boil rapidly, as this can make the spices bitter and evaporate alcohol. If you see bubbles breaking the surface, reduce the heat immediately.
- Simmer for 10-15 minutes: Keep the drink at a low simmer for 10-15 minutes to let the spices infuse. Stir occasionally. For a stronger flavor, simmer up to 20 minutes, but taste as you go. Longer simmering intensifies spice, but can become overpowering—taste at 10 minutes.
- Strain and serve hot: Remove the saucepan from heat. Strain the mulled drink through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the spice pieces and citrus. Ladle into mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick or star anise if desired. Always strain before serving to avoid a gritty mouthfeel from ground spices.
Try Red Stick Spice Company Mulling Spice
- Mulling Spice: Mulling Spice has been used for centuries to add spice to warm drinks, from beer to wine to apple cider. This blend is designed to flavor a variety of hot beverages, so you can use one product for multiple holiday drinks.
Mulling Spice
