1/2 gal. apple cider
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 orange, thinly sliced (optional)
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
3 whole cloves or 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
3 dashes of nutmeg
1/3 c. dark rum (optional)
8-16 cinnamon sticks

Mix all ingredients, except for rum, in a large saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until mixture boils. Boil for 5 minutes, then simmer on low heat, after adding the optional rum, for at least 10 minutes. Pour into mugs over a cinnamon stick. Keep cider simmering on stove or transfer to a crockpot for serving to keep warm. Enjoy! Makes 8 cups (8-16 servings).

Note: For the faint-of-heart who do not appreciate "cloudy" cider, the cider can be strained upon pouring into the mugs.