Ingredients

• 13 cups water
  
• 1-2 large cinnamon sticks
  
• 1 medium apple, cored and cut into 1/2-in (1 cm) thick pieces
  
• 4 guavas, ends removed and cut into 8ths
  
• 4 tamarinds
  
• 8 tejocotes (see notes), ends removed, halved and deseeded
  
• 6 dried hibiscus flowers
  
• 1 piece (~8 in) sugar cane, peeled and cut into 8ths
  
• ³/₄ cup sugar
  
• Rum, optional