Mulled Apple 'Chai'-der | America's Test Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 cinnamon stick , broken into pieces
• 1 star anise pod
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed cardamom pods
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1/4 teaspoon whole cloves
• 2 quarts apple cider
• 4 strips lemon zest
• 1 - 3 tablespoons light brown sugar or dark brown sugar (to taste)