Add the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, chili pepper, ginger, cinnamon stick and cloves to a medium pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, swirling the pot a few times, as needed, until the sugar is fully dissolved.
1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 red chili pepper, 1 inch fresh ginger, 1 small shallot, 1 cinnamon stick, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves