begin when the first birds of morning are lifting the roof of dawn...
bringing two cups of pure water to a passionate boil.
turn off heat and immediately allow 1 3/4 cup of
dried hibiscus flowers to fall gently from your grateful hands.
use a favorite wooden spoon to gently submerge the floating flowers,
cover and infuse for twenty minutes while you
walk barefoot in the garden.
in a separate large pot add your sweetener...
i love the smokey tangyness of these garnet petals so use less than 1/2 cup of
blue agave nectar.
(traditionally 1 cup sweetener would be added,
adjust to your taste
you could also use honey or sugar)
place a strainer across the mouth of your large pot.
simply pour your jamaica infused water into the strainer
catching all the flowers and mixing the bright cranberry liquid with the sweetener
waiting below.
now boil four cups of water, once boiling pour slowly over the flowers
that are gleaming
in the strainer to release more flavor.
repeat once more with two final cups of boiling water.
use your wooden spoon to press any remaining garnet flavored
liquid from the flowers.
place the spent flowers in your compost grateful for their bright gift.
stir to mix and allow this jubilant refresco to cool.
place in a favorite pitcher, preferably transparent
so the intensity of colour shines through.
serve in large glasses over a generous stack of ice,
return to the garden with family and friends
who will smile with each delicious sip of
send your guests home with handfuls of dried jamaica flowers
so this ancient mexican ritual of
summer refreshment is passed garden to garden,
friend to friend, all summer long.
saludos!
paradise is aguas frescas on triple digit days!
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I still have some of those lovely blossoms from my last trip to Zacatecas, nearly two years ago. They may be "old," but they haven't lost their potency, or their ability to refresh me on these sizzling days. Paradise, indeed! :)
Posted by: magicalmysticalteacher | June 30, 2013 at 08:33 AM
Wow Rebecca, the colours are divine,I want to sink into this amazing liquid.
Beautiful photos!
Thank you for sharing the beauty.
Have a lovely week,
Ruby
Posted by: Forest Dream Weaver | June 30, 2013 at 08:38 AM
Oh love this delicious tea. It reminds me of a particularly beautiful day in Mexico. Must go to get Hibiscus flowers before it's too hot.
xx
Posted by: gemma | June 30, 2013 at 09:32 AM
Hibiscus flowers? I cannot imagine the flavor. It looks gorgeous and delicious. Alas, I only have yellow hibiscus.
Posted by: judie | June 30, 2013 at 03:33 PM
It looks so refreshing. We expect it to be in the high 80's or low 90's the next few days. It's different from your heat because we have humidity. I hope you are staying out of the heat and are resting.
Posted by: Cheryl's Excellent Adventure | June 30, 2013 at 04:20 PM
I'm moving a bit slower this week but I am sending you a gift from my garden to thank you for your beautiful and loving blog! I hope you enjoy it! XXOOXX
Posted by: Wabi Sabi | July 01, 2013 at 10:04 AM