Homemade Hot Apple Cider

Step 1
Pour apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.

Step 2
Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel, and lemon peel in the center of a square of washed cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.

Step 3
Place the saucepan over moderate heat and cook until cider is very hot but not boiling, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 4
Remove cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle.

Step 5
Ladle cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.