Pear Cider

Name: Pear Cider
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 medium pears (sliced (I used Bosc)); 1 medium orange (sliced); 1 medium lemon (sliced); 1 tablespoon whole cloves; 6 whole cinnamon sticks; 3 whole star anise; 1 (3-4 inch) piece fresh ginger root (minced); 10 cups water; 1 cup light brown sugar (to taste); ¼ cup pure maple syrup (to taste); 2 cups bourbon whiskey (or rum, optional)