Add the water, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger slices, and orange peel to a small saucepan. Place it over medium heat, then bring it to a gentle simmer.

Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until the honey fully dissolves and the syrup smells warm and fragrant.

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Let the syrup steep for 10 minutes so the spices can infuse more deeply.

Then strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof jar, and discard the solids.

To make one drink, pour 2 ounces of bourbon or whiskey into a heatproof mug.

Add 2 tablespoons of the warm spiced syrup and 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Stir gently so the flavors begin to blend.

Top the mug with 1/4 cup boiling water. Stir well to combine everything.

Press 2 to 3 whole cloves into a thin lemon slice, then float it on top of the drink.

Add a cinnamon stick to each mug for stirring and extra aroma. Serve right away while the Holiday Spiced Hot Toddy Cocktail is hot and cozy.

Repeat the same method for the remaining drinks. It is best to make each hot toddy fresh instead of batching the full cocktail in advance.