Non-Alcoholic Christmas Punch with Orange and Cinnamon

Thoroughly wash the orange and lemon with hot water and pat them dry, so you can use the zest as well. Slice the orange into thin rounds and cut the lemon in half so you can squeeze the juice from it later.

Peel the fresh ginger and slice it thinly. Prepare all the whole spices, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and allspice, so you have everything at hand and the punch does not need much watching.

Pour the orange juice, apple cider, and water into a large pot. Add the orange slices, squeezed lemon juice, ginger slices, and all the whole spices.

Place the pot over medium heat and warm it slowly until the liquid begins to steam gently, but do not let it come to a rolling boil, vigorous boiling would make the spices bitter and the punch would lose its fresh fruity flavor.

Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover with a lid, and let the punch simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes, so the flavors of the spices and citrus meld together and the drink fills the kitchen with a wonderful aroma.

Sweeten the punch with honey, stir thoroughly, and if desired, add a pinch of cinnamon or another spoonful of honey if you prefer a sweeter drink.

Strain the finished punch through a fine sieve into a carafe or directly into prepared heatproof glasses, so no whole spices or fruit slices from cooking remain in the drink.

Place a fresh orange slice, a cinnamon stick, and a few cranberries in each glass for a festive Christmas decoration. Serve hot, ideally alongside Advent cookies or gingerbread.