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.
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 flowersAdd 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.
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.
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.)
Very refreshing! My husband will love this too.
Hope so, Ang!
A friend of mine was able to get off of high blood pressure by drinking a glass of hibiscus tea on a daily basis. I tried that with my husband, but my tea wasn’t good enough for him to want a second glass on day 2. Your recipe looks MUCH better than mine so it looks like I’ll be trying this again. Bobby loves iced tea during warmer weather. Thanks for sharing this!
And, I like tartness, so I really could decrease the sugar. I also want to try this with piloncillo. Cinnamon has its health benefits too, of course. Let me know how Bobby likes it.
The pictures of your flowers are stunning, how amazing to have those growing outside your door…And thanks for the refreshing new drink to try!
Thanks, Chris. I love these roses. They only bloom once a season and I wish I could remember what heirloom variety they were! 🙁
I love making and drinking tea. I have to look into hibiscus tea, sounds great for sunny days!
Thanks for sharing and for the lovely comment left on my guest post (Dulce de leche bars) on Liz’s blog
You are more than welcome. I hope you try this recipe.
I ALWAYS say “Davidson’s” is the best! Hahahaha!! 🙂
It took me a while to get this! 🙂
We make tea all the time when it gets warm outside, and use Red Zinger, although we’ve been having trouble finding it lately. It’s so refreshing, and we usually have Crystal Light lemonade on hand to make Arnold Palmer’s. 😀 Happy Friday!
Happy Friday, indeed!!!! 🙂 I ordered the dried flowers off of Amazon. I think this tastes better than red zinger.
The tea is such a gorgeous color…and I’d love a cool, tall glass when a hot day finally arrives!
Thanks, Liz. I love the hint of ginger in this, too.
I do love hibiscus tea–had no idea one could actually make it! Your tea is beautiful. Looks like I have a new project this summer.
This is really the best. (I know, another absolute. 🙂 )
So pretty, it makes such an elegant color. I could use a glass right now.
I just about spilled some on the white carpet. (Whatever possessed me to get white carpet???) That would have made a nice blotch!