Is there anything more alluring than the thought of wrapping your chilled fingers round an aromatic mug of mulled stuff?
Not really, which is why at this time of year pubs all over the country shuffle their bar mats up a little to make way for a hefty, battered soup kettle that slowly but surely emanates the smells of the season up the nostrils of its patrons – sweet, spiced, citrusy alcohol.
In years passed, by default, this liquid has fallen into the wine category, and those used have been indisguisably cheap.
This year however, the vine has been overtaken by the apple, which is decidedly on trend.
The nice thing about this takeover is that, not only is cider a good old homegrown product, we can also afford to use the good stuff even when we heat it up.
Top of the Hops, a new brew crafted by Yorkshire’s Cropton Brewery and appearing in Nicholson’s pubs, includes 2012 different varieties of English hops.
Admittedly I'm relatively new to the beer scene, but I don't recall ever seeing such a fab array of books out there about beer in all its guises. From beginners to connoisseurs via trivia hunters and London bar-hoppers, its a great time to be reading the spoken word while supping a pint.
Christmas has well and truly arrived at Nicholson’s, the 80-plus heritage and ale-infused group of pubs located in London and further afield.