Wassail
from Cookie + Kate

Bourbon (plan on about 1½ ounces per drink. I used Jim Beam)

½ vanilla bean, slit down the middle with the insides scooped out (or ¼ ounce vanilla extract)

3 star anise (optional, but they're pretty!)

1 cinnamon stick

2 lemons, sliced

½ inch nub of fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced

4 cups apple cider (or unfiltered apple juice, doctored up with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice)