December Stormy

• 1 quart water
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 star anise pods
• 5 allspice berries
• 4 cinnamon sticks (3-inch each)
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped
• 14 cup dark rum
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• ice cube
• 34 cup ginger beer or 34 cup ginger ale
• lime, rounds for garnish

1. Holiday Spice Syrup: Combine water, sugar, anise pods, allspice berries, cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean and seeds in a large saucepan and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes.
3. Strain and chill.
4. Combine rum, lime juice and 1 Tablespoon spiced syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake briefly.
5. Pour into a tall glass that is filled half way with ice.
6. Top with ginger beer and garnish with lime rounds.
7. Serve.

water, sugar, anise pods, berries, cinnamon, vanilla bean, dark rum, lime juice, ginger beer, lime

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/december-stormy-146719 (may not work)