Hot Buttered Cider with Ginger and Cinnamon

Description
Warm yourself with this fragrantly spiced, nonalcoholic beverage after a frosty night of caroling. — Stephen Ceideburg

Ingredients

 * 4 cups water
 * 1 cup granulated sugar
 * 3 tbsp whole cloves
 * 3 tbsp whole allspice
 * 2 sticks cinnamon
 * ¼ cup sliced candied or crystallized ginger
 * 6 cups apple cider
 * 2 cups orange juice
 * ½ cup lemon juice (1 lemon)
 * 1 stick butter, cut into thin slices
 * 16 cinnamon sticks, for serving

Directions

 * 1) Mix the water and sugar in a large non aluminum saucepan.
 * 2) Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
 * 3) Remove from the heat and stir in the cloves, allspice, cinnamon and ginger.
 * 4) Let the mixture stand for 1 hour or longer.
 * 5) Strain into a bowl and return to the saucepan.
 * 6) Stir in the apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice.
 * 7) Serve in mugs with a slice of butter on top and a cinnamon stick.

Note: the punch may be prepared several hours ahead and reheated before serving, if desired