Spiced Cranberry Rum Tea

A wonderful way to warm yourself on blustery winter days. 

Ingredients

3	cranberry herb tea bags
1 1/2 cups	boiling water
1/3 cup	granulated sugar
1/2 cup	cranberry juice
4 to 6	whole star anise
2	3-inch strips of orange zest removed with a vegetable peeler
1 cup	strained fresh orange juice
1 cup	amber rum, or to taste
	Lemon slices for garnish

Directions

1. In a medium size saucepan submerge the tea bags in the boiling water and remove pan from heat. Let steep for 5 minutes and discard them. 2. To the tea add the sugar, the cranberry juice, star anise and orange zest. Simmer the mixture, covered, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. 3. Stir in the orange juice and the rum and heat over moderate heat until hot. Discard the orange zest. Divide the tea among heated mugs and garnish each drink with one star anise and a lemon slice. 

Source: http://www.epicurious.com