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Hibiscus Tea

By Eliot, on May 8th, 2013

The weather is finally warming up and I think spring will seamlessly turn into summer (this after our record low for May with snow flurries!).

I haven’t posted too many beverages but I seem to be on a roll lately with Cinco de Mayo Margaritas and my upcoming post for another favorite cocktail (stay tuned) .    But as the weather warms up, I start thinking of refreshing summer drinks.    This is one— perfect for sipping on the patio (or all day long for that matter).

I have been a fan of Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger tea and I have grown some hibiscus that is used for drying and making tea although I never ventured to harvest any.   (And, actually, harvesting seems like an arduous process.   Click here for more info.)

Chef Sarah (from our chocolate class) got me to thinking about hibiscus flowers again when she infused her cream for the chocolate truffles with dried hibiscus flowers.

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Lot o’ hibiscus.

I ordered 16 oz. of dried hibiscus flowers (about 8 cups) and have been making tea ever since.   No truffles yet, though.

Jamaican Hibiscus Tea
Slightly adapted from FOODLve

1 gallon of water, divided
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick (about 3 inches)
1 slice fresh ginger (about a silver dollar size or two slices about a quarter size)
2/3 c. dried hibiscus flowers

Add 8 cups of water and rest of  ingredients to a large sauce pan and bring to a boil.   Stir.

Take off heat and cover.   Let steep for 20 minutes.

Strain into a large gallon jar (or other beverage container) and add 8 more cups of water.

My vintage sun tea jug.

My vintage sun tea jug.

Chill and serve over ice.

Hibiscus tea is tangy and you may add more sugar if you desire.       I think this is a great non-alcoholic alternative for summer parties.    You may garnish with sliced citrus, mint, or make fancy ice cubes.

Ahhh, refreshment.

Ahhh, refreshment.

 

I love the color.

I love the color of the dried flowers.

Hibiscus tea has long been thought to lower blood pressure.   For more information on that, you may click here.

Although I am sure my blood pressure gets high at work, I am drinking this just for the taste (and lovely color).

 

I posted my green house cacti blooms recently.   Here are some outside blooms:

This is a yellow climbing rose. (Don't remember the name.)

This is a yellow climbing rose. (Don’t remember the name.)

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Recipes, What we're growing, eating, and doing.   , ,  
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18 comments to Hibiscus Tea

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