Throughout the holiday season there are times that I’ve either forgotten about being invited to a party or gotten invited at the last minute.
No matter what the case is I like to have a gift to give to the host or hostess. This is one of those “keep on hand” things that makes gift giving easy.
Making your own spice mixes are very easy not to mention cost effective. I like to include this mulling spice packet along with a gallon of apple cider and instructions on how to make it in the crock pot.
Here is what I do:
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons of whole cloves
- 6 dried orange slices (if you can’t find them at the store they’re easy to make in the oven…. or you can give a whole fresh navel orange alongside the spice packet)
- 3 whole star anise
- 1 tablespoon of allspice berries
Place all the dried spices in a zip top bag or cellophane bag. Tie it around the gallon of apple cider with a pretty ribbon and include these instructions:
Mulled Apple Cider
Pour the cider into a large crock pot. Put the entire contents of the spice bag into the cider. Cover with lid and turn to high for 1 hour. Then turn to low and let simmer for another 2 hours. Ladle and serve in heatproof mugs. Enjoy!
Of course if you include a whole navel orange make sure you include in your instructions to slice the orange before adding it.
This is also a great mulling spice pack to include with peach cider…. I just can’t find it as often as I do the apple cider.
When you give this to your hostess and all she has to do is heat it up you’ve instantly turned her into the hostess with the mostest :o)
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