Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Punch) Recipe
By
Regan Burns
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When we made this drink for our Burrito Bar, we ended up spiking it with vodka. If you choose to do the same, simply add as much high-quality vodka as you like.
What to buy:
Look for Jamaica flowers (also known as hibiscus or flor de Jamaica) in most Latin grocery stores; they’re often found in the bulk bins or in the dried herbs section. You can also find them online.
Game plan: If you’re making this for a crowd, you’ll want to double or triple the recipe and make it in a big stockpot.
Sometimes there’s a little gritty sediment that settles at the bottom of the brewing pot. To prevent any grit from getting into your agua fresca, don’t pour the very last bit of the brew through the strainer in the final step.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 quarts (12 cups) water
- 1 (1/2-inch) piece ginger, finely grated
- 1 1/2 cups dried Jamaica flowers (also known as hibiscus or flor de Jamaica)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 1 large lime)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine water and ginger in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Remove from heat and stir in Jamaica flowers and sugar until sugar has dissolved. Let steep 10 minutes.
- Strain through a chinois or fine mesh strainer into a large, heat-resistant bowl or pot. Stir in lime juice and set aside to cool. Refrigerate until ready to use. Serve over ice.
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i have a hibiscus plant that is flowering. can i use the flowers from there directly?
Have you tried the Jamaica at Sancho's in Manuel Antonio?
Sorrel is a type of wild hibiscus (Hibiscus Sabdariffa). It's called a million different names all over the world, a few that include Jamaica and Roselle. I'm from the Caribbean and never knew until recently sorrel is a type of hibiscus - and I suspect a lot of other West Indians don't know this either. We just know it as sorrel - that delicious red drink that comes around at Christmas time.
Whether or not you add ginger has nothing to do with what makes 'sorrel', it's just a plant with a million different names that has origins all over the world, (and good news: it is being praised for having a lot of health benefits!)
For another recipe (from a West Indian who has never had Sorrel with ginger in it - but will give that a try! ):
Try steeping sorrel for a full day - the difference in taste is well worth it!!! Also, where I'm from, we add clove (the spice) to sorrel when it is soaking (to be left in the sorrel when serving as well). I think generally, other spices are very welcome in sorrel as well :)
Mmm, this was delicious and refreshing. I used a little less than 2/3c of honey rather than sugar. Also, just FYI, I don't actually like Red Zinger tea, so I'd still give this recipe a try even if you don't either!
i'm with beach chick, that celestial seasonings red zinger is terrific!
"The trademark “zing” comes from a combination of tart and tangy Chinese hibiscus and fruity Thai hibiscus, while lemongrass provides a lemony sweetness that helps balance the tartness."
http://www.celestialseasonings.com/pr...
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i'd also add some fresh mint leaves.
I've been making hibiscus tea for years..if you can't find the dried flowers, Red Zinger tea from Celestial Seasonings is a good alternative.
Just an interesting question....
Is Jamaica the same as Sorrel? I think Sorrel is from Either Trinidad or Jamaica(the country) and includes ginger, whereas Jamaica as served in Mexico has no ginger. but...I'm not sure if that's right because my relatives from Trinidad swear that Sorrel is not Hibiscus.
I've been making this (sans ginger, going to have to give that a try) since a trip to Egypt a few years ago where it's very common (known as Kharkade). Once I ran out of the supply I'd brought home with me I did a search around some local natural healthfood stores and found one that sold dried hibiscus flowers. Not sure exactly what word they use where you're from, Jamaica flowers/Hibiscus etc but if you ask at a health food store I'd guess they'd known.
Sounds delicious! Anyone know where can I find dried Jamaica flowers in London Ontario?
i really like this recipe, it was a huge hit at our barbecue the other weekend. thanks for posting! hey reignking, do you really think most people in the US know how to make this?! come on now... of course a recipe is needed.
Hugely popular in Guatemala. I wasn't aware this needed a recipe -- what's next, iced tea? :)
Ora: This hibiscus flowers have a great taste and the ginger and lime give it a nice backbone. Try it out and let us know what you think.
This recipe sounds too bland for me. What happened to the cinnamon, allspice and/or cloves? Maybe a little orange rind?
I lived in Jamaica for a few years -- we made sorrel at Christmas with white rum, ginger and sugar. Delicious!
Similar to Starbucks (Tazo brand) passion tea?
I go to Jamaica every year for New Years. Sorrel is a drink that is traditionally served around Christmas time. To get info to where you can buy dried sorrel on line, see pictures of making it in Jamaica, and find out where you can find it in a Cambridge restaurant, go to my blog, Minnie Eat World, at http://www.minnieeatworld.com
A great recipe. Thanks!
Doesn't it also have antioxidants?
In Taiwan, people drink it without sugar as a diet tea. It has light laxative properties.
this ia a delicious and thirst quenching drink--I love the ginger addition--adds zip and is good for your stomach and blood
If you live in UK you can also buy flor de jamaica from MexGrocer.co.uk http://www.mexgrocer.co.uk