This "Agua Fresca" is made a little differently than those using actual fruit. The color and flavor is similar to tart cranberry with a subtle tea flavor in the background. When it is served ice cold, the tea flavor is almost imperceptible. It is also loaded with Vitamin C, so it's good for you too!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 oz dried Jamaica Hibiscus flowers*
- 3 cups boiling water
- 6 cups drinking water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1-2 cups ice (if you need to serve it immediately)
Preparation:
Bring 3 cups of water to a boil and pour over hibiscus flowers. Let the flowers soak in the water for about 20 minutes. Pour the liquid and flowers through a strainer into a large pitcher. Add in the sugar and stir for 1-2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Pour in remaining water and taste for sweetness. Add more sugar or water if necessary.
To serve immediately, only add in 5 cups of water and stir in the 1-2 cups of ice and stir until it is ice cold.
*Jamiaca Hibiscus flowers can be found in bulk or in cellophane packages in most hispanic stores. If you cannot find them, you can order them online. They are usually called Jamaica (say Huh-MY-ih-kuh) Hibiscus, but sometimes just hibiscus alone is used.
