Mulled cranberry cider for a crowd

6 cups apple cider
2 cups cranberry juice
1/4 cup golden brown sugar
4 allspice berries
4 whole cloves
6 star anise pods, plus a few extra for garnish
2 cinnamon sticks
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups dark rum (optional)

1. Combine cider, cranberry juice and brown sugar in large saucepan. Place allspice berries and cloves in small tea ball and add to cider. Add star anise, cinnamon sticks and 3 or 4 lemon slices. Bring to simmer, then remove from heat. Let sit 30 to 60 minutes.
2. Reheat mixture. Remove tea ball. Serve in mugs or heatproof glasses, with piece of star anise floating on top of each. To make the alcoholic version, add rum during final reheating.