Right. Tis The Season, no arguments

 It's time for our first festive Confined Cocktails - 7pm ish, be there or... well, be elsewhere, frankly. But you'd be very welcome to raise a mug, cup or glass of something. Let it be something that speaks of winter frivolities if you like. If you can't face cranberry and clementine cider quite yet, never fear - I've realised my massive number of festive drinks means I'm going to be on festive booze for the rest of the year. 

Next week, for reasons that may become obvious, it'll be champagne cocktails courtesy of the Little Library Christmas book. But this week, I'm going with spice. 

Stef, whose birthday is imminent and we shall toast tonight, linked this useful recipe:

I've made a small version - just steeping gin with a bit of cinnamon, cloves, anise and cardamom. There will be no fancying around with singed orange slices here, but I will report on the negroni it makes when it's cocktail hour. 

 

It's had about 20 hours steeping here, which should be fairly lethal

If that's not for you (I know we are not all negroni fans), may I commend this week's recipe from the Spirits? The Treacle (not the exploding kind) is dark rum and apple, gussied up with bitters and sugar if needed, and with a smidge of spice of choice. I went with the nutmeg grated over the top, and it is very, very cheering at this dank, grey and (sigh) difficult time.

 Cheers to nearly-advent, to getting through November, and to finding something that cheers you in the dark.