Days are getting colder, days are getting shorter and the delicious smell of autumn/winter spices is starting to reappear. And one spice mix we are really excited to meet again is Mulling Spices. It is most famous for its use in hot red wine which we absolutely love to drink while walking around a Christmas market. However, not everyone likes wine or drinks alcohol. If it is your case, do not worry! There are many ways to enjoy Mulling Spices that do not involve red wine. So, if you are interested, keep reading!
What are Mulling Spices?
Mulling spices are a spice mix that is really popular all over Europe, especially in the wintertime. Mulling spices are most often composed of star anise, vanilla, orange peel, clove, nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon. They can sometimes be formulated with a few other additional spices as well. Mulling spices are commonly used as a way to flavour hot alcoholic drinks. During the autumn and winter, this spice mix is frequently used to flavour hot apple cider or wine or to make wassail. A beverage that has been made with this mix is known as a "mulled" beverage. But mulling spices can be used in other ways!
At Holy Lama, we love mulling spice so much that we created our own Mulling Spices Natural Extract. These award-winning Mulling Spices Spice Drops® are the perfect alternative to cumbersome traditional mulling spices mixes. It is made using only high-quality ingredients to deliver all the taste and benefits of fresh spices in a more practical and stable format. Here are a few ways to use it that do not involve your traditional red wine or apple cider:
You probably saw this one coming from a mile away, coffee. As you probably already know, coffee is often used to create crazy and fun beverages. So much so that one of the most popular autumnal drinks is the pumpkin spice latte. If you are a fan but are starting to get a bit tired of the army of pumpkin spice beverages, we suggest you try mulling spice coffee! Simply add a few drops of Mulling Spices Natural Extract to your favourite coffee, latte or cappuccino to give it a lovely wintery spin.
If you are getting a bit bored with your usual baked goods recipes, you can easily give them a kick by adding a few drops of Mulling Spices Natural Extract to the batter before baking. The great thing about mulling spice is that it will compliment a lot of flavours. So you can add mulling spice to chocolate-based batters, vanilla-based batters or even pumpkin-based batters. Any fruit-based preparation would be really delicious with added mulling spices as well. So why not add Mulling Spices Natural Extract to your next banana bread, chocolate brownie or batch of blueberry muffins?
If there is something we absolutely love about the return of the cold weather, it is that it is synonymous with the return of soups! Is there anything more delightful than a warm bowl of soup with a few slices of sourdough bread on a cold evening? A great way to put a spin on your favourite soup is to season it with Mulling Spices Natural Extract. You might think that mulling spices only work in sweet preparations but the truth is they are also delicious in savoury preparations. Mulling Spices Natural Extract is especially good when paired with parsnip-based soups. Time to experiment!
Add 1-2 drops of mulling spices to your tea to give it a warm festive twist. It will work with your favourite loose tea or with your run-of-the-mill cuppa.
A great and original way to use Mulling Spices Natural Extract is to add a few drops of it in a vinaigrette or salad dressing. Simply add a few drops of Mulling Spices Natural Extract to your usual homemade dressing and voilà. It works especially well with apple cider vinegar-based dressings. We would advise you to mix a couple of teaspoons of good quality dijon mustard, with some sunflower oil, a pinch of salt, a sprinkle of pepper, a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of Mulling Spices Natural Extract (adapt quantities depending on taste and consistency preferences). Mix it all together and you will have an incredible vinaigrette.
Nothing beats a stack of pancakes, especially when they're topped with berries and maple syrup. But if you want to make the experience even more delicious, try mixing some mulling spices with your maple syrup! It's a fast and simple way to put a spin on a staple dish and impress your guests.
Hopefully, this article has given you the inspiration you needed to incorporate more mulling spices goodness into your life.
Fancy trying a new recipe? Check why not try mulled wine with whiskey, mulled wine trifle, salmon infused with mulling spices or minced pie muffins?
If you want more ideas and inspiration, check our blog where we discuss the benefits of spices and plants, everything Ayurveda, cooking, beauty and more.
Visit our website to browse our lovely Spice Drops® range or our luxurious body care line based on ancient Ayurveda principles.
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