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Agua Fresca de Jamaica (Hibiscus Flower Water)

Posted by Chef at The Food Channel®

From The Kitchens of The Food Channel

Agua Fresca de Jamaica (Hibiscus Flower Water)

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Aguas Frescas, which is Spanish for “Fresh Waters”, are refreshing, non-alcoholic drinks available throughout Mexico, along with other countries in Central America and the Caribbean.

Why try? This recipe is for a quintessential Agua Fresca-Jamaica (hah-MY-EE-cah)- which is made from dried hibiscus flowers. Though it is technically an iced tea, the slightly tart flavor and deep garnet color of Jamaica has more in common with cranberry juice than the typical iced tea in the United States.

Foodie Byte: Aguas Frescas are meant to be light and not cloyingly sweet, making them quaffable and a perfect counterpoint for a hearty and spicy foods. Feel free to use the sweetener of your choice, be it granulated sugar or a non-caloric sweetener. Just keep in mind that an agua fresca should not have a soda-like sweetness.

Yield: 1½ quarts

Ingredients

2 quarts water, divided
2 ounces dried hibiscus flowers (jamaica)
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
Sliced oranges, lemons and/or limes for garnish

Preparation

1
Bring 1 quart water to a boil. Add hibiscus and sugar, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
2
Remove from heat. Add remaining quart of water. Strain into a pitcher and chill.
3
To serve, pour into a glass filled with ice and garnish with citrus slices.

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