Yuletide Wassail

1 gallon apple cider
1 tbsp whole cloves , 1 tbsp. whole allspice
4 cinnamon sticks 2" long , 1/2 tsp. mace
1/4 tsp. powdered ginger , 1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt , 1 cup dark brown sugar
1 pint gin or vodka (0.56 L) - this is optional
2 lemons, sliced thin, seeds removed , 3 oranges, sliced thin, seeds removed  

    Pour cider into large kettle, add spices and salt. Bring to a hard boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes Remove from stove, add sugar to taste, if needed. Cool. Strain wassail. Keep in a cool place till ready to use, but it is not necessary to refrigerate. To prepare a wassail bowl: Use a heavy china bowl, a crock pot or a punch bowl. Heat it over a large kettle of boiling water. Add lemon and orange slices. When warm, add gin or vodka and let it heat, but do not boil or spirits will evaporate. Remove from heat. Pour in the boiling wassail. If possible keep the bowl hot over a candle or alcohol burner. Ladle into punch cups and serve