Russian hot spiced honey drink (Sbiten)

1. Peel the ginger and slice it thinly.

2. Bring half the water to the boil in a pan, stir in the honey and simmer gently for 10 minutes, skimming off the foam that forms on the surface.

3. In another pan bring the rest of the water to the boil with the cinnamon (or a cinnamon stick), cloves, allspice, ginger, nutmeg and bay leaves, then cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes.

4. Strain the spiced infusion into the honey water, stir and leave to stand covered for 5 minutes.

5. Squeeze in the lemon juice and serve hot in mugs.

6. Serve on winter afternoons, after sledging or a long walk, with pirozhki and gingerbread.

Tip: In the centuries before tea became widespread, sbiten was Russia's national hot drink, sold from samovars at fairs; our version is completely alcohol-free, just as it was traditionally drunk.