Combine cranberry juice, sugar, lemon juice, and water in a 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven.

For spice bag, tie lemon peel, cinnamon, and cloves in a 6-inch square of 100 percent cotton cheesecloth. Add spice bag to saucepan. Bring just to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Discard spice bag. Add bourbon, rum, or orange juice.

Transfer to a heatproof serving carafe or pot. Serve with a lemon peel strip in each cup, if desired. Makes about 12 (6-ounce) servings.