Fill a 16-ounce mason jar with ginger root, star anise, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick and vanilla extract. Fill jar with rum. Cover and let infuse for at least 24 hours.
3 inch ginger root, 1 whole star anise, 3 whole black peppercorns, 3 tablespoon whole cloves, 1 whole cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups light rum
Strain rum through a fine meshed strainer into a bowl. Decant back into jar and replace lid. Spiced rum will keep indefinitely.
In a half-gallon pitcher, combine spiced rum, apple cider and lemon juice. Stir. Serve on the rocks.
2 cups spiced rum, 5½ cups apple cider, ½ cup lemon juice
Notes
If desired, you can serve this punch with warm apple cider. You can also stretch it with a splash of ginger ale or ginger beer in every glass.