1/2 cup of brandy or rum (optional) 1 cup water 1 large or peeled then juiced1 lemon, peeled 1 lime, peeled (optional) 1/2 cup agave syrup or sugar 5-6 whole cloves 1 nutmeg, about 10 gratings 1 cinnamon stick 1 vanilla bean, halved 2 star anise