Mulled cider

Few things welcome in the frosts like mulled cider. As with punch, mulled cider has been much abused: at its finest, the spices build on the fabulous appley-ness of cider; at its worst, the cider is swamped by a wash of pot pourri. The key is to use a good cider and fresh spices – and don’t over-sweeten. Honey’s warmth works better than sugar in my view.

This makes one relaxing goblet – multiply up to a bucketful for Halloween and Bonfire Night.