I know this is coming late but if you are able to make this over your holiday then try it!
I made a double batch yesterday, especially since my mother was coming to visit me. She gladly drank a glass when we got home.
Now I believe I started drinking this because I have been craving the Vitamin C that this flower contains. It also has lots of minerals and is a great thirst quencher. Today it was a close to 95 degrees hot and very humid so this drink came in perfect timing.
I made this drink more diluted but you are welcome to decrease the water by half so it is more concentrated. Double the sugar or agave nectar to make it a syrup and then add it to club soda and some lime and you have a refreshing drink!
The hibiscus flowers can be found at your local international or Hispanic mart as well as the piloncillo, the Mexican cane sugar. Keep the drink as natural as possible!
Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Punch)
serves 6-8 glasses
1 cup dried hibicus flowers (can be purchased at International makets)
6 cups hot water
2 piloncillo cones (Mexican brown sugar) or 1/2 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup lime juice
4 cups additional water
ice
Place hibiscus flowers in a pot. Boil hot water in a teapot or pour water over leaves and pour over hibiscus flowers. If you boil water and flowers, boil water for 10 minutes then remove from heat and let the flowers sit in water for 15-20 minutes.
Make sure to add piloncillo to hot water so that sugar will melt. Depends on how sweet you want your beverage but 2 cones will probably be sweet and can always be diluted
Using a strainer, strain the flowers and drain the liquid in a large bowl. Pour additional 4 cups of water and let this cool. Add agave nectar to taste. 1/2 cup was perfect with my first batch, or 2 piloncillo cones.
After the punch has cooled, place in a pitcher and then add the lime juice. Pour the punch over ice in individual glasses. Enjoy!
Labels: beverages, drinks, hibiscus flowers, Hispanic drinks, vitamin C
