Orange Bitters - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 oranges, zest of
1 (750 ml) bottle grain alcohol (Everclear)
10 cardamom pods (I believe green, but not specified)
2 whole star anise pods
3 cinnamon sticks, 2 1/2 inches each
1 teaspoon whole cloves
4 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
1 cup sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 250 deg F. Remove zest from oranges with a vegetable peeler. (Use oranges for some other purpose). Bake until zest dries, starts to curl up and begins to brown, about 20-25 minutes. Let cool.
Put all ingredients except sugar in a 1 quart glass jar and seal tightly. Let sit in a cool, dark place for two weeks.
Strain liquid into a 1 1/2 to 2 quart jar, saving the flavorings. Set aside.
Put flavorings in a small saucepan with 2 cups water. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
Cook sugar in a small saucepan, lifting and shaking the pan occasionally, until the sugar caramelizes and turns deep amber, 8 to 10 minutes.
Pour the caramel into the liquid in the saucepan - it will bubble furiously and may firm up. If necessary, return to medium heat and cook, stirring, for a few minutes until the caramel melts.
Set pan in a bowl of ice water until the liquid is cold, about 10 minutes.
Pour this liquid into the jar with the first liquid (from step 3). Seal and let stand in a cool, dark place for five days.
Strain this final mixture through cheesecloth into a glass measuring cup and discard the flavorings.
Pour into small bottles and seal tightly.