Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

medium apples (assorted such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Rome, and Granny Smith)

medium navel orange (peeled and sectioned)

(3-inch) cinnamon sticks or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

whole cloves or 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cloves

about 1 gallon fresh water

dark brown sugar (to taste, optional)

optional garnish: apple slices (orange slices, cinnamon stick)