Start preparing your culinary offerings with a mortar and pestle to add a new layer of flavor to your drinks and dishes. This centuries-old cooking equipment is based on an ancient concept of food or drink preparation. It's now known as muddling, and it's as easy as smashing items to make them taste better. Crush cinnamon sticks or whole nutmeg for an excellent warmth and zing to your foods when using spices. These tougher spices may require a bit more force to properly smash, so you may want to use a food grinder first, but your high-quality pestle should be able to handle it. As more people recognize the potential of the mortar and pestle to enliven drinks, it has grown in popularity.