This homemade mulling spices recipe is so easy to put together! It’s perfect for simple holiday gifts and makes your home smell cozy, welcoming, and full of cheer. You might already have everything you need in your spice cabinet!
We host our family’s Christmas Eve party every year, and while the adults don’t exchange gifts, I always like to have a little something to send home with our guests. Last year I put together these simple DIY mulling spices for all of my aunts and cousins, and they were a hit!
They’re so fast and easy to put together, and they’re really cost effective if you’re looking for a gift that you can give to lots of people. They’re not Christmas-specific, but are perfect for winter or the holidays in general.
Here’s a quick tutorial on how to make holiday mulling spices!
Psst — be sure to check out these other ideas for celebrating the holidays too!
- How to Make a Candy Igloo Holiday Decoration
- Paint Your Own Watercolor Holiday Cards
- Make a Winter Checkers Game
- DIY Christmas Wreath With Vintage Toy Cars
And if you love this idea, be sure to sign up for our VIP list, where I’ll send more holiday ideas straight to ya!
What Are Mulling Spices?
If you’re not familiar with mulling spices, let’s get you acquainted! Mulling spices are basically a cozy and pretty way to make your house smell amazing for the holidays (or any time). And even better, you can use them to add to your favorite bottle of red wine and make your own mulled wine at home.
To create your own mulled wine, add the spices and a bottle of red to a pot on the stove and simmer (on low heat so it’s just barely simmering) for at least 15 minutes and up to 3 hours. If you like, you can also add a bit of sweetener (sugar, honey, or maple syrup work well). Strain the wine and enjoy!
To use the mulling spices as potpourri, cotton bag with the mixture. Then heat a pot of water on the stove, toss the bag in, and as the water simmers, your house smells like all of your favorite things! It’s a clean, organic (if you use organic ingredients) way to make your home smell like a holiday wonderland — no chemical sprays or room fresheners.
How to Make Holiday Mulling Spices
Materials
- drawstring cotton bags
- cinnamon sticks
- dried cranberries
- dried orange slices
- whole allspice berries
- whole cloves
- fresh rosemary
- Optional: food dehydrator
Make Time: 30 Minutes (Plus Drying Time)
- Start by dehydrating your fruit, if you’re planning on using fresh fruit and dehydrating yourself. Wash and slice your oranges, and rinse your cranberries. Dry them in your dehydrator according to the instructions for your machine. Sometimes this process can take a day or two, depending on how much you’re dehydrating and how your machine works. So leave a little time if that’s your plan. I love dehydrating my own fruit because it’s cost effective and cool to know that you really did it yourself!
- Wash your cotton bags to make sure that they’re clean and fresh.
- Start filling your bags! I recommend in each bag: 2 cinnamon sticks, 2-3 orange slices, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1 TBSP cloves, 1 TBSP allspice berries, and a couple of stems of fresh rosemary.
- If you like, add a little tag to the bag with a label and directions for using the mulling spices. You can say something like, “Drop the contents of this pouch into a pot of simmering water to make your home smell like the holidays!”
That’s it! I love DIY ideas like this one, that are simple but show lots of thought behind them. This is one that you can create together with your kids and give as thoughtful gifts to neighbors, teachers, family, and more.
I’d love to know if you make these DIY holiday mulling spices for any holiday gifts this year. And leave us a comment with some of your favorite quick easy DIY gift ideas too! xoxo
P.S. Here’s another super cozy recipe for fall and winter: a delicious and hearty kale soup!
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How to Make Mulling Spices
Yield: Mulling Spices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Create these mulling spices to make easy and affordable holiday gifts!
Ingredients
- cinnamon sticks
- dried cranberries
- dried orange slices
- whole allspice berries
- whole cloves
- fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Start by dehydrating your fruit, if you’re planning on using fresh fruit and dehydrating yourself. Wash and slice your oranges, and rinse your cranberries. Dry them in your dehydrator according to the instructions for your machine. Sometimes this process can take a day or two, depending on how much you’re dehydrating and how your machine works. So leave a little time if that’s your plan. I love dehydrating my own fruit because it’s cost effective and cool to know that you really did it yourself!
- Wash your cotton bags to make sure that they’re clean and fresh.
- Start filling your bags! I recommend in each bag: 2 cinnamon sticks, 2-3 orange slices, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1 TBSP cloves, 1 TBSP allspice berries, and a couple of stems of fresh rosemary.
- If you like, add a little tag to the bag with a label and directions for using the simmering spices. You can say something like, “Drop the contents of this pouch into a pot of simmering water to make your home smell like the holidays!”
Notes
If you're not familiar with mulling spices, let's get you acquainted! Mulling spices are basically a cozy and pretty way to make your house smell amazing for the holidays (or any time). And even better, you can use them to add to your favorite bottle of red wine and make your own mulled wine at home.
To create your own mulled wine, add the spices and a bottle of red to a pot on the stove and simmer (on low heat so it's just barely simmering) for at least 15 minutes and up to 3 hours. If you like, you can also add a bit of sweetener (sugar, honey, or maple syrup work well). Strain the wine and enjoy!
To use the mulling spices as potpourri, cotton bag with the mixture. Then heat a pot of water on the stove, toss the bag in, and as the water simmers, your house smells like all of your favorite things! It's a clean, organic (if you use organic ingredients) way to make your home smell like a holiday wonderland -- no chemical sprays or room fresheners.
