Cranberry, Apple and Orange Cider

I love the orange flavor in this delicious spiced cider.  It's a breeze to whip up but you may want to prepare it in advance and let it simmer away in a crock pot.  It smells as wonderful as it tastes!    

1 cup fresh cranberries
6 cups apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
2 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup light brown sugar
4 whole cloves
4 whole allspice
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
4 orange slices, cut 1/4-inch thick

Coarsely chop cranberries and place in Dutch oven.  Add cider, cranberry juice, brown sugar, cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices.  Bring to boiling over high heat.  Reduce heat to low; simmer partially covered, 10 minutes.  Remove from heat; let stand 30 minutes.  Strain cider through a fine-wire mesh strainer; discard solids.  Keep cider warm.  Fill mugs and garnish with extra cinnamon sticks and orange slices, if desired.  One note-I wanted to follow the recipe the first time around.....it's delicious, but honestly I think it would taste just as good without the added sugar.  Serves 8