Traditionally cider is spiked with dark spirits, like the rum and bourbon in the recipes above. But what if you want something a little lighter? Vodka can do the trick. Since it doesn't contribute much in the way of flavor, we add fresh ginger for its distinctive, peppery-sweet flavor.

Rather than letting them go to waste, thoughts turn to making cider at home. Once you've done it and tasted your own cider, you'll want to make it again and again. It really is such a simple thing to make. And as well as being lovely to drink in the summer, it's great for mulled cider and casseroles in the winter.

Lalvin E-1118: Comes in a 5-gram packet. This is a wine/champagne yeast and as a wine maker I happen to have it laying around. It is also one of the most widely used yeasts in the world for “general application,” like cider.