The color and flavor of Jamaica Hibiscus 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! This version adds spices to create a new taste.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz dried Jamaica Hibiscus flowers*
- 3 cups boiling water
- 6 cups drinking water
- 3/4 cup sugar (*or 8 oz piloncillo)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 pinch cloves
- 1-2 cups ice (if you need to serve it immediately)
Preparation:
Bring 3 cups of water to a boil and add the spices and whisk for 1-2 minutes until spices are incorporated. Pour the liquid over the 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 6 cups of 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.
* To use the piloncillo, chop it with a serrated knife into small pices, then dissolve it in the simmering water with the spices(5-10 minutes) until it is dissolved. Follow rest of recipe without adding additional sugar.
