Mulled Apple Cider - cooking recipe

Ingredients

5 c. apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks, cracked
8 allspice berries
6 whole cloves
1 strip orange peel (about 2 inches long and 1/2-inch wide)
4 thin orange slices (optional)
4 cinnamon sticks (optional)

Preparation

In a small heavy saucepan (preferably nonmetallic), place the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves and orange peel and bring to a boil over moderately high heat.
Adjust heat to that the mixture barely bubbles.
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the cider mixture into 4 mugs and put an orange slice and cinnamon stick in each mug, if you like.
Serves 4.