RAISE A GLASS

I’LL never understand the fascination with Halloween and I’m scared of fireworks, but I like the bit where I can sip something warming. Here’s a handful of pick-me-ups to recover from the autumn cold of Halloween, Bonfire Night, an afternoon on the football terraces or a walk with the dog.

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Liqueur(£15.99,

Wine Rack, 17% abv) If anything is guaranteed to get you in the spirit of Halloween it is this. I’ll even decide to like Halloween if I can have a sip of this treat every now and again. Natural pumpkin juice is given a lift with chocolate and caramel and it has overtones of cinnamon, clove, vanilla and a spike of chilli. Keep in the fridge, or pour over ice (which is how I served my tasting tipple). Give it a cocktail makeover with Autumn Harvest: Pour two parts of the liqueur into a glass with ice, add one part Amaretto, then stir.

Greenall’s Sloe Gin

(RRP £20, amazon. co.uk,17% abv) is a new kid on the block just in time for frosty nights and frosty toes. I visited Greenall’s Distillery and met Master Distiller Joanne Moore who has crafted a gin which can be sipped on its own (I did that) or enjoyed in a cocktail (I did that too). The nose is heady with almonds and cherries – it reminded me of those little Mr Kipling slices. Try this recipe created by Greenall’s gin curator Alix Walker. Take It Sloe Toddy: Pour 50ml sloe gin into a cup then gently warm 100ml cloudy apple juice and 50ml orange juice with two cloves and a cinnamon stick. Carefully pour into the

cup.

The Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year Old

(RRP £38, Tesco, Waitrose, thewhiskyexchange. com, 43% abv) is made at Jamaica’s oldest distillery. My friend is a rum lover and she was giddy to see this bottle in my kitchen and grabbed herself a glass. The rum is distilled from molasses and has a nutty, spicy palate with a vanilla creaminess. Make a Jamaican Honey Soother by pouring two parts of the Appleton Estate, 1/4 part honey and 1/2 part fresh lemon juice into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice cubes. Shake well and strain into a glass. If you don’t have a shaker improvise with a large glass jar and lid (clean, of course!).

Also in my glass…. Warner Edwards Botanical Garden Honeybee Gin

(RRP £40, warneredwards. com, fortnumand mason.com, 43% abv) is exactly what it says on the gin – made from honey. I expected it to be super-sweet but the sweetness is subtle. The nose has floral aromas with coriander and citrus; and honey, pine and spice come through in the mouth. Warner Edwards has a strong ethos to nurture nature and the gin is released in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society. Each bottle includes a packet of wildflower seeds to encourage bee-friendly spaces and honey from the distillery’s own beehives was used to create the gin. For a Bees Knees dissolve two teaspoons of honey in 50ml of gin, add 10ml of fresh lemon juice, 20ml of orange juice, top up with ice. Shake and pour into a glass. ■