Warm Citrus Spice Mix (sugar-free)

There's something undeniably cozy about a warm drink.  My favorite is Rich Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate.  Tied for second is *both* the Mulled Cider Spice Mix with cranberry or apple juice I've shared before and this yummy Warm Citrus Spice Mix I'm sharing with you today.

This recipe is a combination of a couple of recipes I was trying for a different take on the Mulled Cider Spice Mix, with a good pinch of my own additions.  I was looking for a mix that that you just stir into hot water instead of juice, and this tangy drink is just the thing.

Similar to the hot chocolate and the cider spice, this recipe is sugar-free, but you are welcome to replace the ingredients with full-sugar options if you'd rather.  And, since you may or may not be familiar with some of these ingredients, I'm including links so you can see what they are.

WARM CITRUS SPICE MIX (sugar-free)

PREP TIME:  2 minutes
COOK TIME:  time to heat water

INGREDIENTS

• 5 individual-mix packets of Tang Zero Sugar or Great Value Orange Early Rise or Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange (These individual-mix packets are for a 17-20 oz. bottle of water, originally.)
• 3 individual-mix packets of True Lemon Lemonade (for a 17 oz. bottle of water)
• 4 packets True Lime crystallized lime pieces
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or apple pie spice
• sweetener, optional (I like the tangy-ness, but you can add sweetener if you don't.)

DIRECTIONS

Cut open all packets and mix all ingredients in a small container with a lid.  Add 1/2 - 1 tsp. Warm Citrus Spice Mix to 12 oz. hot water and stir well.  (Note:  The cinnamon doesn't dissolve all that well, so I always swirl my warm drink a little before sipping.)  Cover and store in the pantry.

Of course, this pantry-friendly recipe can always be on hand, even in a snow storm, and makes a great little homemade gift, too!  If you're looking for a nice neighbor or girlfriend gift this holiday season, this mix in a pretty little jar (gifted with or without a mug) would make a great Winter Survival Kit!

To print this recipe, hit the "print" button below.  If you don't see the print button, scroll back up and click on the title of this blog post, then scroll back down and you'll find the button below.

Mulled Cider Spice Mix (easy gift idea!) with free printable

There's nothing like sipping something warm when those fall and winter months come along, don't you think?  

This recipe uses pantry-friendly ingredients (meaning, they're shelf-stable and don't need refrigerating), which means you can always have them on hand.

Plus it makes a delightful gift idea, too.  So much so that I've made a free printable you can attach to your Mulled Cider Spice Mix!

You can use this spice mix with apple juice, or with cranberry juice if you prefer!  (I've tried both, and they are equally delightful.)

MULLED CIDER SPICE MIX

PREP TIME:  5 minutes
COOK TIME:  2 hours warming

INGREDIENTS

• 1 3/4 c. sugar or Splenda/Stevia (must be measured cup-for-cup like sugar)
• 1/4 c. brown sugar (replace with Splenda/Stevia for a sugar-free mix)
• 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 2-quart bottle of apple juice (or cranberry juice)

DIRECTIONS

In a medium-size bowl, stir together the dry ingredients until well-combined.  Spoon into two 8-oz. (half-pint) jars (or four 4-oz. jars).  Pour juice into a slow cooker.  Stir in 3-4 tsp. of the spice mix for apple juice, or 5-6 tsp. if using cranberry juice.  Heat over low for about 2 hours, then serve. 

This would make a great gift, either with a bottle of juice or without.  

Click this image to print the labels:  

You can click here to download the Mulled Cider Spice Mix gift tags.  The project will open, and you can read the instructions at the right for downloading.  It's simple (and, of course, free) and takes no time.   

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

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Pinning this image to Pinterest.

To print this recipe, hit the "print" button below.  If you don't see the print button, scroll back up and click on the title of this blog post, then scroll back down and you'll find the button below.

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Rich Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate Mix

Lucky for us, cocoa has a lot of health benefits!  From lower cholesterol to lower blood sugar, cocoa is our friend.  

However, we only get these health benefits from natural cocoa, not Dutch-processed cocoa most often used in store-bought hot chocolate.  Dutch-processed cocoa means that the cocoa beans have been washed in an alkaline solution of potassium carbonate, which neutralizes their acidity.  This makes the cocoa dissolve much quicker in liquid, but it also neutralizes all those health benefits.

I have played around with a few different recipes to settle on my very favorite homemade sugar-free hot chocolate mix.  A cup of this is a MUST for me every day in the winter!  It's a huge part of my hygge self-care, actually!

It's sugar-free, has the health benefits of natural cocoa, and has a richer flavor than any of the homemade hot chocolate mix recipes I've tried due to minimal use of nonfat dry milk.

It does have a little different flavor than packaged hot chocolate mixes, especially because of the natural cocoa (as opposed to the alkalized, processed cocoa we're used to in hot chocolate), but I hope you like it as much as I do.

RICH SUGAR-FREE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

PREP TIME:  around 10 minutes for the mix, then just a few minutes to make a cup

INGREDIENTS

• 1  1/2 c. Nido dry whole milk (usually in the Mexican section of the grocery store), or any other brand dry whole (not nonfat) milk like Peak.  Alternatively, you can use powdered creamer in place of the dry whole milk.  
• 1/2 c. nonfat dry milk
• 2/3 c. natural unsweetened cocoa, sifted (to help it dissolve better in water)  A high-quality cocoa with a rich flavor, such as Ghirardelli, is highly recommended here.  Remember, Dutch-processed doesn't have the same health benefits as natural cocoa.
• 1 c. sweetener such as Stevia (or more, if you like)

DIRECTIONS FOR ONE CUP

Combine the dry ingredients well, then store in a jar or cannister.  To make 8 oz. of hot chocolate, pour approximately 1/2 c. very hot water into a mug.  Stir in 2 Tbsp. of the hot chocolate mix (heaping, if you like) into the water.  Stir well and let sit for a minute to allow time for the dry mix to dissolve. You'll want to mix it more than processed hot chocolate mix that dissolves quickly--and you may need to smash any lumps in the mixture you might see.  Add the remaining 1/2 c. hot water and stir well.  Enjoy! 

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it in the comments!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

To print this recipe, hit the "print" button below.  If you don't see the print button, scroll back up and click on the title of this blog post, then scroll back down and you'll find the button below.