Hot Buttered Cider with Ginger and Cinnamon

Ingredients

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

Directions
Warm yourself with this fragrantly spiced, nonalcoholic beverage after a frosty night of caroling. Mix the water and sugar in a large non aluminum saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cloves, allspice, cinnamon and ginger. Let the mixture stand for 1 hour or longer. Strain into a bowl and return to the saucepan. Stir in the apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice. 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