Witches' Brew

Name: Witches' Brew
Ingredients: 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks; 5 whole cloves; 3 tablespoons finely chopped peeled ginger; 1/3 cup water; 1/3 cup sugar; 1 (25 1/4-ounce) bottle sparkling cider (about 3 1/4 cups), chilled; 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail, chilled; 1 (1-liter) bottle club soda or seltzer, chilled; 1 cup dark rum (optional); Ice blocks in any shape (see cooks' note, below)

10 ingredients

3 steps

Ingredients

2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
5 whole cloves
3 tablespoons finely chopped peeled ginger
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 (25 1/4-ounce) bottle sparkling cider (about 3 1/4 cups), chilled
4 cups cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
1 (1-liter) bottle club soda or seltzer, chilled
1 cup dark rum (optional)
Ice blocks in any shape (see cooks' note, below)

Directions

1

Bring cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, water, and sugar to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, uncovered, 1 hour.
2

Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, then chill until cold.
3

Combine all remaining ingredients, except ice, with syrup in a punch bowl. Add ice before serving.