Hot Buttered Cider

7 c Apple cider OR apple juice

1/3 c Brown sugar; packed

4" stick cinnamon

1 ts Whole allspice

1 ts Whole cloves

1 Lemon peel; cut into strips

1 1/2 c Rum

Butter or margarine Thin apple slices Combine apple cider or apple juice and brown sugar in a large saucepan. For spice bag, tie cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and lemon peel in a 7 inch square of 100 percent cotton cheesecloth. Add spice bag to cider mixture. Bring cider mixture to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove and discard spice bag. Stir in rum. Pour cider mixture into mugs. Float about 1/2 tsp butter or margarine on each. Top each serving with one or two thin apple slices. Makes about 10 (6-oz) servings.