The boy and his poison: The English Garden

It's time for a bit of a refresher. If you're feeling a little too egg-nogged or overly brandy flipped, I promise this will act like a liquid SAD light to perk you up after a miserably dark commute home.

If you're lucky enough to have an iPad, or if Santa dropped one in your stocking (you were good last year, weren't you?), you should definitely consider snatching up a copy of Difford's cocktail guide. Even if you've been blighted with socks and gift vouchers (tsk, you must have been naughty) you should still make sure the latest printed copy makes its way to you as soon as possible. I was hankering after something light, cheery and reminiscent of summer to perk up the dismal day I was having yesterday and a few swipes and taps later I was looking at the English Garden. It's the perfect antidote to a winter's day. Lighter than the boozy brandy drinks of Christmas, it's based on autumnal apple juice then flavoured with elderflower liqueur and fortified with gin.

You'll need:

• 2.5 shots of cloudy apple juice (Cawston Press with ginger is perfect) 
• 2 shots of gin
• 1 shot of elderflower liqueur
• 1.5 shots of lime

Then make:

• Stir the ingredients in a collins glass or small tumbler over chilled ice
• Garnish with sliced cucumber