Makes 8 cups

:
64 oz. apple cider (or juice)
12 whole allspice berries
6 cinnamon sticks
8 cardamom pods
6 whole cloves
dash of nutmeg-optional
small amount of brown sugar-optional
6 strips of orange zest and 1-2 orange slices to float while simmering
Apple brandy (Calvados or Applejack is nice) or pear brandy or spiced rum or whiskey or apfel korn or cinnamon Schnapps or caramel flavored liquor (liquor of your choice is what I’m getting at)-optional

Garnish: optional
cinnamon sticks
dried fruit (apple, pear)
dried ginger
pomegranate seeds
orange zest/slices
floating cranberries