Cinco Fiesta

Hibiscus cooler

Dried hibiscus flowers steeped into a tart, ruby drink. It is sold from big glass jars at taquerias across Mexico.

Drink · 25 minutes · vegetarian · All recipes

Ingredients

Serves 8
  • 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers (flor de jamaica)
  • 8 cups water, divided
  • 0.5 cup sugar, or to taste
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges, to serve

Method

  1. Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil. Add the flowers, turn off the heat, cover and steep for 15 minutes.
  2. Strain into a jug, pressing the flowers. Stir in the sugar until it dissolves.
  3. Add the remaining 4 cups cold water. Chill, and serve over ice with lime.

Notes

  • Add a cinnamon stick or a few slices of ginger to the steeping water for variety.
  • Hibiscus is tart; add sugar a spoonful at a time.

Sources: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (inscribed 2010)