Warm Spiced Cranberry Cider

1 medium navel orange, skin left on, cut into large chunks

3 cups cider

4 cups cranberry juice cocktail

2 sticks cinnamon

2 teaspoons light brown sugar

8 cinnamon sticks for garnish

8 thin orange slices for garnish  

Put orange chunks in a food processor fitted with a metal blade or a blender, and pulse several times until coarsely chopped.

Place chopped orange, cider, cranberry juice cocktail, 2 cinnamon sticks and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium high heat. 

Cook, stirring often until hot; about 8 to 10 minutes or use a microwave to heat it up.    Using a large sieve, strain mixture and return to saucepan. 

(If not using immediately, cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Reheat before serving.  Cider can also be frozen, defrosted and reheated.

To serve, pour into mugs or cups and garnish each serving with 1 cinnamon stick and 1 orange slice.