The hot toddy is as essential to the winter holidays as eggnog  or Santa Claus. It somehow manages to combine the best things of the season: rum, cinnamon, apples, and butter. Now that I have your attention, I present you a map to tradition.

Warm a kettle by rinsing it with boiling hot water. After dumping the water pour in the rum and add lemon peel, cinnamon, and cloves. Then boil the cider/water and pour into the rum.  Add the butter and stir everything together.  Pour into a mug and grate some fresh nutmeg to garnish.  Add sugar if desired.