This recipe came about because Amazon sent me the wrong item. I do like to use flowers in cooking and or baking but never tried anything with hibiscus flowers.
The flowers are big and beautiful, trumpet-shaped and are 3-8 inches in diameter with prominent protruding stamens. The plant is constantly with flowers but unfortunately each flower only lasts one day and can grow as high as 15 feet in hot locations. Here they are either a houseplant or treated as an annual in the warmer months as they can’t tolerate cold weather.
Hibiscus tea has a tart flavor similar to cranberries and you can drink it hot or cold. Just the pretty red color is enough to make you try it! Very refreshing during these 90+ days.
Hibiscus Tea
- 2 cups fresh Hibiscus flowers, 1/2 cup dried, or 5 Hibiscus tea bags
- 8 cups water
- 1/4 cup honey to sweeten, more or less (I used orange blossom honey)
- 3 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
- basil, mint or lemon zest as add ins
- decorative ice cubes with herbs such as mint and or johnny jump ups – use the tea to make the ice cubes or just use water
If using fresh flowers remove the calyx (green part to which the stem is attached) and the pistil which has pollen attached to it. If using dried Hibiscus flowers you don’t need to do anything.
Bring the water and flowers to boil in a large saucepan. Once it comes to boiling you can add herbs such as basil or mint and lemon zest. Turn off the heat and let steep for 20 minutes. Stir in the honey and lime juice. Allow to come to room temperature before straining the tea into a pitcher. Refrigerate or you can serve this tea hot.
Make decorative ice cubes using edible flowers and herbs. Garnish with a lemon or lime slice.
According to Healthline there are 8 benefits of Hibiscus Tea:
- Lots of antioxidants
- May help lower blood pressure and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure
- May help lower blood fat levels – another risk factor for heart disease
- May boost liver health and keep it working efficiently
- Could promote weight loss
- Contains compounds that may help prevent cancer – Hibiscus is high in polyphenols
- Could help fight bacteria ranging from bronchitis to pneumonia to urinary tract infections
- Delicious and easy to make at home
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
I decided to use fresh mint leaves instead of the basil.
Mint leaves were my add-in…
Flower shaped ice cube tray with a johnny-jump-up flower in each mold.
A blessing in disguise! Thanks for the reminder of this tasty drink. I haven’t had it in a while, but love the tartness and color of it.
By the way, the flowers are also great as a snack, when dried and sweetened,
Great idea, to use the flower shaped ice cubes! 🙂
I loved the tartness too – not sweet at all, just very refreshing and a very pretty beverage. The flowers as a snack – I will have to look into that. I have a lot of fun ice cube trays 🙂
I just ordered some from Trader Joes (Amazon) – they got good reviews. Amazon has become my “pandemic grocery store” 🙂
Your post reminded me of this tasty ingredient, so I did too! 🙂
Amazon is really a life saver during this hectic time, though I’m eager for all the shops to open and enjoy walking around loaded shelves, discovering new items…
Such a tasty drink. Hibiscus is delightful. 🍃🌺
Hibiscus tea is delicious, a real thirst quencher as we go through all these 90+ days. I love cranberries so that’s probably why I enjoyed this tart drink 🙂
You’re right. No wonder I like it….cranberries are tasty. 🍃🍒
Yumm ❤️
Yes, a very refreshing drink 🙂
Don’t like experimenting with my cuppa but this LOOKS tempting to say the least.
Thanks and much appreciated for sharing
Thank you and I hope you try it. Perfect cold beverage on a hot summer day 🙂
we call them rosellas here (not the bird- tee hee). i had some rosella sugar which was delightful when used for cooking.
I love to use edible flowers in cooking – the hibiscus gives such a pretty color to this tea 🙂