This makes a great Yule or Christmas present, or keep it yourself and treat your party guests to something special.  Makes 2 x 400ml bottles.

250g caster or granulated sugar
2 oranges, halved
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice
2 cinnamon sticks
1/4 nutmeg, grated
Small piece ginger, sliced

Mulling syrup ready to go.

• Put all the ingredients into a saucepan with 1 litre water and bring slowly to a simmer, making sure all the sugar has been completely dissolved.  Turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.  Leave it to cool then strain it through a very fine sieve.
• Sterilise your bottles by washing them in hot soapy water, rinsing well, then drying them in a warm oven.  Meanwhile, re-warm the syrup until just hot, then pour into the bottles while still warm and seal.
• If giving away as a gift, add a label with these serving instructions – 
• Heat 400ml syrup with 750ml red wine or cider and some slices of orange or apple.  Syrup will keep in a cool dark place for up to 3 months.

Please feel free to browse all the recipes and tips I have on here, it’s all free to use but of course there are costs involved so if you like what you see and feel able to, please consider popping something in my tip jar so I can keep on cooking and sharing, and thank you!