Let me start by saying that I'm not much of a drinker. My favorite two beverages from the refrigerator are Diet Coke and apple cider. Truthfully, the only way I'm going to drink alcohol is if it's mixed in something.

Now that the beautiful fall weather has returned to Virginia, I find myself craving warm beverages. Usually, I drink plain hot apple cider with cinnamon or hot chocolate with whipped cream. For a party, however, I like to spice things up a little by offering everyone a hot toddy.

A Hot Toddy is simply a name for a mixed drink, served warm or hot. The exact origin of the name is disputed, but the term has been used since the 1700s.

• 1¼ cups rum
• 10½ cups apple brandy
• 6¼ cups boiling water
• 10 tablespoons sugar
• 12 sweet apples, quartered
• 6 dozen cloves
• 6 dozen allspice berries
• 11 sticks cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons nutmeg, freshly ground

I use this recipe for my New Year's Eve parties, as it yields 20 to 24 servings. Feel free to scale it for your use. I wouldn't, however, try and cheat too much on the storage time because the flavors need time to combine.

1. Combine all the ingredients in a stock pot.
2. Cover tightly.
3. Store in a cool place for 5 days.
4. When ready to serve, simmer over medium-low heat until very hot.
5. Strain into mugs and serve.

• 9 cups apple cider
• 8 sticks cinnamon
• 10 allspice berries
• 18 cloves
• 1½ cups rum
• zest of 1 lemon

This recipe yields 8 servings.

1. Combine all ingredients except for the rum.
2. Boil for 5 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, adding the rum
4. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Serve in mugs after straining.

• 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
• 1¼ cups boiling water
• 2¾ cups rum
• 7 teaspoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly ground
• 6 sticks cinnamon

This recipe yields 6 servings.

1. Warm six tumblers in very hot water.
2. In a saucepan, dissolve the sugar in the boiling water.
3. Stir in the rum and the butter.
4. Pour the mixture into the heated glasses.
5. Garnish each glass with a little nutmeg and cinnamon stick.