The twelve best things about Christmas - Number 1

 OK - I know it's still November, but it's long been mulled wine weather here!

 I've already had my first glass of mulled wine this year, at the North Pole Bar (below) - Manchester's pop-up Christmas bar complete with kitsch decor (we're talking a huge plastic polar bear and faux furs to sit on)

(photo by http://www.weheart.co.uk)

If you fancy making your own mulled wine, just add the following ingredients to a pan, and simmer for about 20 minutes before serving -

• 300mls of water, 
• 2 bottles of full bodied red wine, 
• a whole orange stuck with cloves, 
• a cinnamon stick,
• 2 sliced lemons and a sliced orange, 
• 6 tablespoons of honey
• optional but if you're feeling adventurous, you can add 2 tablespoons of Cointreau!