Life lesson from Fox & Beagle: once you've made a syrup, especially one that is rich in dark brooding citrus and winter spice, try it in an Old Fashioned.

There is no doubting that this is the simplest and most obvious use of our homemade spiced orange syrup - after all, most Old Fashioned recipes use cinnamon-heavy aromatic bitters and orange peel - but you will forgive us for the lack of experimentation when you try it. It works best with a whisky with a hint of orange - Glenmorangie Lasanta or Monkey Shoulder, perhaps?

This might just be our favourite Christmas Old Fashioned recipe this year (see also Gingerbread & spiced pear), perhaps because it has more rich, citrussy Christmas spirit than the satsuma Father Christmas leaves in the toe of your stocking.