Ingredients

• 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 5 whole cloves
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped peeled ginger
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 (25 1/4-ounce) bottle sparkling cider (about 3 1/4 cups), chilled
• 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
• 1 (1-liter) bottle club soda or seltzer, chilled
• 1 cup dark rum (optional)
• Ice blocks in any shape (see cooks' note, below)

Instructions

1. Bring cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, water, and sugar to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, uncovered, 1 hour.
2. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, then chill until cold.
3. Combine all remaining ingredients, except ice, with syrup in a punch bowl. Add ice before serving.