Apple catcher punch

Ingredients:

• 5 lemons
• 0.5 cups of sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 whole cloves
• 2.5 cups white cranberry juice, chilled
• 1 cup vodka, bourbon, or rye whiskey, chilled (optional)
• 1 bottle (750 ml) non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider, chilled
• 6-8 small apples

Preparation:

1. Using a vegetable peeler, remove 6 wide strips of zest from 1 lemon. Juice all the lemons to yield 3/4 cup; refrigerate the juice. In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups water, sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, and cloves and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large liquid measuring cup or bowl. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
2. Combine the spiced syrup, cranberry juice, and lemon juice in a large punch bowl. Then stir in the alcohol, if using, and finish with sparkling apple cider. Add the apples. Serve over ice.