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Key Ingredient
Eleanor Nakama-Mitsunaga
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Mull over a nice, spiced drink
The wonderful aroma of mulling spices will instantly put you in the holiday mood. The combination of oranges, lemons and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg yields a scent that rings in the Christmas season.
Mulling, which literally means to heat, sweeten and flavor with spices is a tradition that dates to the Middle Ages, when it was customary to sweeten and flavor drinks. Wine or cider would be steeped with citrus fruits and spices in a tank and heated by plunging a red hot poker into the brew.
Today wine, brandy, cider and tea are all popular drinks that can be flavored with mulling spices. These drinks are traditionally enjoyed hot, but can be enjoyed on the rocks, too.
Make your own mulling spice mixture by combining dried peels of orange and lemons or fruits such as apples and cranberries with whole spices, or purchase convenient bags of prepared spice mixtures in a variety of flavors. Either way, just add the spice and a bit of sugar to your drink of choice, let the mixture come to a boil, then simmer 30 minutes or so. Cheers!