Place water in a saucepan and add citrus peel along with whole cloves.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, letting the flavors start to infuse as steam rises.
Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the aroma to develop and the liquid to deepen in fragrance.
Turn off the heat and strain the liquid through a fine sieve to remove the citrus peel and cloves.
If desired, stir in honey or maple syrup for added sweetness and stir until dissolved.
Pour the fragrant spiced liquid into cups, and serve steaming hot, enjoying the warm, spicy aroma.