Slice the orange into 1/4-inch rounds and set aside for garnish and flavor. In a large pot or saucepan, combine the cranberry juice, apple juice, apple cider drink mix, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves. Stir well until the brown sugar is fully dissolved and the drink mix is completely incorporated. I like to use freshly opened cinnamon sticks rather than ones that have been sitting in the spice cabinet—they have a much more vibrant, aromatic quality that really comes through in the finished cider.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low and add the orange slices. Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, allowing the spices to fully infuse into the liquid and the orange slices to release their oils and flavor. The longer you simmer (closer to 15 minutes), the deeper and more pronounced the spice notes will become—I prefer the full 15 minutes for a richer flavor profile.

Remove the pan from heat and allow the cider to cool for 1-2 minutes. Pour the cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher or directly into serving glasses, catching the spices and orange slices in the strainer. Discard the solids or reserve a few orange slices to float in individual glasses as a garnish.