Homemade Mulling Spice Mix Bags

• 6 ounces, weight Whole Cinnamon Sticks
• 10 whole Nutmegs
• 13 cups Finely Chopped Crystallized Ginger
• 23 cups Dried Orange Peel
• 23 cups Dried Lemon Peel
• 3/4 cups Whole Cloves
• 1/2 cups Allspice Berries

1. You will also need: 32 empty tea bags (I use #3 T-sacs) cooking twine quarter-pound candy boxes (optional) instruction labels (optional ribbon (optional)
2. Place cinnamon sticks and nutmegs in a zippered freezer bag and close, pressing out all the air from the bag.
3. Place the bag on a cutting board and pound with a heavy pot or frying pan until sticks and nutmegs are broken into pieces.
4. Chop ginger into small pieces.
5. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
6. Set aside.
7. Cut kitchen twine into 32 six-inch pieces.
8. Place 2 slightly heaping tablespoons full of spice mix into each tea bag and tap gently on a hard surface to settle the spices in the bottom of the bag.
9. Fill all bags until spice mixture is completely used up.
10. Pinch each bag closed about 1 inch above the top of the spices so they have enough room to expand and move around while in the liquid.
11. Tie a double knot around the pinched point with the kitchen twine, and add a bow if you like.
12. If you are giving these as gifts, make sure to include the instructions below for your recipients.
13. To make mulled apple cider: Combine 1/2 gallon apple cider and 1 spice bag in a crockpot or a large pot on the stove.
14. Heat for 30-40 minutes or until hot.
15. Remove spice bag and discard.
16. Serve hot.
17. To make mulled wine: Combine 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a large pot on medium heat.
18. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
19. Add 750 ml of red wine and 1 spice bag.
20. Reduce heat to low and heat until wine is hot.
21. Remove spice bag and discard.
22. Serve hot.
23. Adapted from About.com

cinnamon, nutmegs, ginger, lemon peel, berries

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/homemade-ingredients/homemade-mulling-spice-mix-bags/ (may not work)