I started giving these as Christmas presents five years ago, and now people expect them. Small muslin bags filled with cinnamon sticks, a vanilla bean, cloves, allspice berries, black cardamom pods, and dried orange peel. Each bag is enough to mull one bottle of wine. Tie it to the bottle with twine, attach a recipe card, and you have a gift that takes ten minutes to assemble and gets a reaction far beyond what it cost.
The recipe card tells the recipient: pour half a cup of wine with two tablespoons of sugar into a saucepan, drop in the spice bag, simmer for 10 minutes, then add the rest of the bottle and warm gently. Star anise for garnish. The whole house smells like Christmas within minutes.
How to Make Mulled Wine Spice Bags
Measure the Spices Per Bottle
For each bag: 3-4 cinnamon sticks, 1 vanilla bean, 30 cloves, 20 allspice berries, 3 black cardamom pods. Optionally add fresh orange slices or dried orange peels. Measure everything out on a tray and fill each muslin bag.
Use whole spices, not ground. Ground spices cloud the wine and leave a gritty texture. Whole spices steep clean and can be lifted out.
Package with Instructions
Close the muslin bag with twine. Thread the twine through a recipe card that explains the method: simmer half a cup of wine with 2 tablespoons sugar and the spice bag for 10 minutes, add the rest of the bottle, warm gently, garnish with star anise. Tie the bag to the neck of a bottle of red wine.
Mulled Wine Gift Bags
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: Serves 1
Description
Mulling spices tied up in a muslin bag: whole cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, allspice, and cardamom, simmered into a bottle of red wine. Ten minutes to assemble as a gift, or use right away to mull a bottle.
Ingredients
- 3-4 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 Vanilla Bean
- 30 Cloves
- 20 Allspice Berries
- 3 Black Cardamom Pods
- Optional: Fresh Orange Slices or Dried Orange Peels
- Optional: Garnish: Star Anise
- Muslin Bags or Neutral Colored Cheese Cloth
- Bakers Twine
- Dried Herb Springs (or fresh whole Cinnamon Sticks for garnish)
- Pretty Hang Tags or Recycled Paper for Recipe
Instructions
- Prepare recipe cards.
- Measure out spices per bottle of wine.
- Fill each muslin bag with ingredients.
- Loop twine through recipe card and note, fasten with a tie or ribbon.
- Pour 1/2 cup wine, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons brandy, and bag contents into a pot. Bring to a medium-high heat for 3 minutes, then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes.
Notes
- For a smoother wine, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before serving.
- Use whole spices, not ground — ground spices cloud the wine and leave grit even after straining.
- Skip the cheapest bottle on the shelf. The spices dominate, but a wine you would actually drink still makes a real difference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Frequently Asked Questions
What wine works best for mulling?
A full-bodied red like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Malbec. Avoid expensive bottles. The spices dominate, so a mid-range wine is fine. Avoid very tannic wines which can turn bitter when heated.
Can I use these for cider?
Yes. The same spice bag works in apple cider. Simmer the bag in warm cider for 15-20 minutes. The cloves and cinnamon are particularly good with apple.
How far ahead can I make the bags?
The spice bags keep in an airtight container for up to 3 months. The vanilla bean dries out over time, so wrap the bags in plastic or store in a sealed jar. They make better gifts when freshly assembled.
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